Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program |
Purpose: The Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program provides grants up to $50,000 to eligible for-profit businesses currently in operation that were adversely affected by the 2021 closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or the closures of the Canadian border since 2020.
Availability of Funds: Funding through this special grant opportunity is only available through June 2024. This temporary program will accept applications until the funding is fully obligated, therefore interested businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The first round of applications will close on January 12, 2024. All applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 12, 2024.
Eligibility: Eligible businesses are those located within the counties of Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, or St. Louis, including businesses operated by the Tribal Nations of Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Red Lake and Fond du Lac (located on Tribal lands within the geographic boundaries of counties that border Canada). Funding and eligibility guidelines were established in law during the most recent legislative session.
To qualify, an applicant must:
Availability of Funds: Funding through this special grant opportunity is only available through June 2024. This temporary program will accept applications until the funding is fully obligated, therefore interested businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The first round of applications will close on January 12, 2024. All applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 12, 2024.
Eligibility: Eligible businesses are those located within the counties of Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, or St. Louis, including businesses operated by the Tribal Nations of Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Red Lake and Fond du Lac (located on Tribal lands within the geographic boundaries of counties that border Canada). Funding and eligibility guidelines were established in law during the most recent legislative session.
To qualify, an applicant must:
- Document a reduction of at least ten percent in gross receipts between 2019 and 2021 by providing tax returns from both years.
- Be located in the counties of Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau or St. Louis.
- Provide a written explanation for how the 2021 closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or the closures of the Canadian border since 2020 resulted in the reduction in gross receipts.
- Be currently recognized as a corporation by the Secretary of State or it’s Tribal equivalent that can confirm current business status.
- Agree to provide information at the request of the Northland Foundation about job creation and retention, changes in gross revenue, and tax revenue generated as a result of an awarded grant.
List of Required Documents:
- Application form
- 2019 and 2021 tax returns
- Certificate of Good Standing from Secretary of State (Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing).
This application for the Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program will be open from November 15, 2023 to January 12, 2024.
Completed applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 12.
All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their application status by early March 2024.
Completed applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 12.
All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their application status by early March 2024.