The second phase of the Regina Economic Recovery Grant for local businesses will see the city program match $25,000 in grant funding for eligible applicants.

Phase two applications begin on December 15 with submissions being accepted online weekly at the city’s website. A new intake period will start up every Tuesday.

“Since initiating the program with Phase 1 in August, approximately $278,500 has been distributed to 127 local businesses to assist with expenses related to COVID-19,” stated Mayor Sandra Masters in a news release.

“Now, Phase 2 will focus on supporting longer-term initiatives and larger investments that businesses are undertaking to become more sustainable or significantly alter their operations for the future.”

Deborah Bryden, the city’s director of assessment and property revenue services, said they have had everything from expenses submitted for PPE to businesses totally changing their delivery through program submissions.

“Maybe a restaurant that was a buffet-style restaurant has totally redone their interior and they are not a full service, delivery restaurant,” explained Bryden.

The second phase is being launched earlier than its initial January start date to help alleviate financial pressures for Regina businesses, according to the city.

Bryden said total projects will need to be over $50,000 in order to receive the matching grant of $25,000. She’s hoping there will be larger project-style applicants in this phase.

“The core criteria for the grant is to bring people back or to create new jobs, business or financial sustainability, how they are counteracting the impact of COVID-19 on their business or community, diversification, tangible placemaking benefits,” she added.

She mentioned that employee salaries and those types of payments are not eligible expenses for this part of the grant.

Matching grants of $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 and $10,000 will also continue to be available throughout the second phase.