International Falls downtown, undated photo. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting

Minnesota businesses are reminded of a program to help those impacted by the closure of the border during the pandemic.

The Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program offers grants of up to $50 thousand.

The program was established for eligible for-profit businesses adversely affected by the border’s closure in 2020 or the 2021 closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The money must be used for business purposes, such as payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses or for special projects to enhance business operations.

The deadline to apply is January 12.

To be eligible to apply, businesses must be located in Cook, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, or St. Louis County or the Tribal nations of Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, or Red Lake (businesses located on Tribal lands within the geographic boundaries of counties bordering Canada).

They have to demonstrate at least a 10% drop in gross receipts between 2019 and 2021.

Application is made through the Northland Foundation.