In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic had small businesses across America scrambling to keep up with new rules for doing business, The Hartford pulled a pandemic pivot of its own, redirecting advertising dollars to where they were needed most—into the hands of the small business owners across the country.  

Through a partnership with Main Street America, The HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program awarded over $1.2 million in grants to small businesses, helping them stay open or reopen, and continue contributing to their communities. 

Grant recipients span a broad range of businesses, from restaurants and breweries to boutiques selling locally-made goods. The business owners themselves are equally diverse: 78% of the businesses awarded are minority, woman, veteran, service-disabled, disabled or LGBTQ-owned.  

The money they’ve received has helped these businesses innovate and adapt.  From helping to fund innovative community dining spaces to physical improvements to meet reopening guidelines, like building walk-up windows, expanding outdoor dining or installing touchless hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass barriers. Other businesses have used the grants to expand e-commerce sales, improve online marketing efforts, or even to cover rent, payroll and operating expenses.

“The ability of these businesses to find new and meaningful ways of serving their communities is truly inspirational,” said Stephanie Bush, head of Small Commercial and Personal Lines. “We have been so proud to partner with Main Street America on this program and we extend our congratulations to all of the recipients.”

*Applications were weighed and grants awarded without consideration of applicant’s being or not being a present, past, or prospective customer of The Hartford.