Brookfield has awarded the first round of grants to local small businesses as part of a plan to distribute up to $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.  8 applications have been approved, 3 have been deferred and 5 came in from non-Brookfield businesses.  About two dozen more are pending. 

A committee of 5 met to review redacted applications and First Selectman Tara Carr then signed off on the committee's recommendations.  The Committee is meeting again tonight to review any new applications that have come in. 

Selectman Steve Dunn raised concerned with the Board of Selectmen not having a say, just the First Selectman.  Brookfield Community Development Specialist Greg Dembowski says several businesses asked that their information be kept private.  He noted that's why he plans to maintain confidentiality on a a need-to-know basis. 

Dembowski says he modeled the program on initiatives in New Milford and Bethel. 

Dembowski works with the town’s tax assessor to verify the business is properly registered and then checks with the tax clerk’s office to make sure their taxes are paid.  The town clerk’s office ensures they are registered with the state if they are a Limited Liability Company or a sole proprietorship, and if their trade name is registered. 

Qualifying businesses and registered nonprofits in Brookfield posting an annual gross revenue of less than $1 million prior to the pandemic are review for business viability, economic hardship and financial need.