Pathway Lending To Open Applications for Metro CARES Act Grants

Nonprofit community development financial institution Pathway Lending has announced that applications for Metro CARES Act funds can be submitted beginning Oct. 4.

Nashville small businesses and live music venues seeking financial relief from COVID-related interruptions can now visit the application site at pathwaylending.orgto review the application guide, eligibility requirements, FAQs and helpful links.

Beginning Oct. 14, Pathway Lending will accept completed applications and award grants based on the order in which eligible businesses in Davidson County submit their applications. Applications will close once Pathway Lending has fully committed the grants.

Funds available to small businesses total $2 million with 30 percent reserved for minority-owned businesses and $600,000 for micro-businesses. Small businesses in Davidson County may qualify for grants up to $10,000, and micro-businesses for grants up to $5,000. Funds available to live music venues total $2 million. Live music venues in Davidson County may qualify for grants up to two months of operating expenses, not to exceed $100,000.

Pathway Lending will process applications, make award decisions, and disburse funds with plans to announce Metro CARES Act grant awards as soon as possible after the funds are committed and before the Nov. 15 deadline to disburse funds.

“We recognize the care, diligence that’s gone into the work up to this point and are honored by the trust placed in our organization to deliver these vital funds to the parts of our business community that need them most,” said Pathway Lending President and CEO Clint Gwin.

All businesses that submit a Metro CARES grant application to Pathway Lending qualify for technical assistance from Pathway Lending with a free account and free enrollment in select programs on Pathway Learning, its new on-demand, online learning platform. Learners can access programs, including webinars, workshops, classes, multi-week cohorts and coaching, anytime, anywhere at learn.pathwaylending.org or by downloading the Go Learn app.