Minnesota reveals which small businesses will get COVID relief, and how much

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has released more details about which businesses are eligible for the $216 million COVID relief package passed by the Legislature, and how much they can get.

The money is being offered to companies hit the hardest by the most recent shutdown, which ends this Friday, though parts of it have been extended through the holidays.

Dine-in service at bars and restaurants was banned, and gyms and entertainment venues were required to close between Nov. 18-Dec. 18, with the ban on indoor dining set to continue through Jan. 11.

The Department of Revenue on Thursday released guidance laying out how the financial help will be provided, and which businesses qualify from it.

Here's a look:

What businesses are eligible?

Any that had to close due to Gov. Walz's four week "pause," which includes:

• Full- and limited-service restaurants
• Cafeterias and buffets
• Caterers
• Bars
• Breweries with taprooms
• Family wineries with tasting rooms
• Distilleries with tasting rooms
• Bowling centers
• Gyms and fitness centers

What criteria must they meet to qualify?

The DOR says businesses to which the following applies qualify for a grant: 

• They are located in Minnesota.
• Had at least $10,000 in taxable sales in 2019.
• Filed sales tax returns in 2019 and 2020.
• Saw their taxable sales drop at least 30% year-over-year for the April-September period.
• Were required to close by Executive Order 20-99 (the four-week "pause").

How much will they get?

Walz has acknowledged that the relief being provided to businesses isn't a silver bullet, and that more substantial assistance needs to come from a stimulus deal at the federal level, if one can be struck.

The money will be parsed out in increments of $15,000, $25,000, $35,000, and $45,000 based on a business' size.