PRINCESS ANNE — Town Commissioners approved slicing $125,000 from their American Rescue Plan allotment to be a direct benefit to small businesses that employ 10 or fewer workers.

Business assistance grants of $2,500 will be available to the first 50 qualified companies and/or sole proprietors that apply before the June 1 deadline.

Applicants must have been in business before Aug. 1, 2021 and be in good standing with the state, county and town when it comes to licensing and taxes.

Those who have multiple small businesses may submit only one application. Nonprofits are not eligible.

Franchises and corporate businesses are not eligible to receive a grant but sole proprietors and independent contractors will be if they meet the criteria.

The grants are designed to help businesses inside the town limits respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Lionel Frederick and Commissioner Joey Gardner did not vote on the resolution for the grant program, as both said they may be applicants.

The resolution was adopted during a special meeting in January held because the regular monthly meeting was canceled due to snow.

Town Manager Clayton Anderson said he will promote this grant opportunity on social media but will also mail out a notice to eligible businesses.

Documentation will be required. Similar grant programs have been made available to Main Street businesses and they are expected to be among the first to apply.

The town was earmarked $1.875 million through the ARP and half has already been received from the federal government.

Of that amount the town has committed nearly 45%. It’s being used as a rehiring tax credit to cover salaries, it provides pandemic bonus pay for employees, gave senior citizen homeowners 70 and older a $500 tax credit, and funded capital purchases ranging from a new garbage truck to a security fence at public works.

It also provided funds to the Garland Hayward Youth Center and Princess Anne Volunteer Fire Company, and will pay for two murals, one at each end of the downtown commercial district.

One pending request is $400,000 to assist Simple Fiber with its installation of broadband high-speed internet in town. In return the limited liability company pledges to give the government free internet service to all of its municipal offices “forever.”