Some Details: Community Navigator Pilot Program

A reader wrote:

I write to inform you of an impending opportunity to apply for SBA grants as part of the new Community Navigator Pilot Program.  The program was created by Section 5004 of the American Rescue Plan Act, so the details are currently unknown.  We want you aware and ready though, so that if you are interested you can be one of the first to apply when the grants become available.

In brief, the American Rescue Plan Act provides $175 million to establish this program to provide grants to “eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID–19 pandemic assistance programs and resources”, as well as create a telephone hotline. Eligible organization are private non-profit organizations, states, tribes, units of local government and existing SBA Resource Partners (Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women Business Centers, Veteran Business Outreach Centers).  Awardees will conduct outreach and deliver free education and technical assistance services to current or prospective owners of eligible businesses.

Again, many details must be addressed and are currently unknown.  We will send them to you as soon as we have them.  In the meantime, if you intend to pursue this grant, it is likely you will need:

• A SAM (System for Award Management) account.  Be aware this can easily take 2 weeks to complete, so please consider working on it soon.
• A Grants.GOV account