Small businesses with no more than 10 employees that are located in low-income areas may be eligible for grant money if they were impacted by the pandemic.

The businesses must show a 50% economic loss in 2020 compared to 2019. Businesses that meet all of the qualifications may be able to get grants of $5,000.

Small Business Administration officials say the money is a grant and is not intended to expand a business. They say the money should go toward operating expenses.

Wendy Rodriguez, owner of Ultimate Sweat Zone in Brentwood, says she was forced to close in March and didn't open until October.

Rodriguez says the $5,000 would help pay her rent. She says she plans to spread the word about the grant program.

"Our communities, sometimes there's a lack of knowledge," says Rodriguez. "We don't look, we don't find out, maybe we hear from this one or that one. I think we lose out on a lot of stuff the government is giving out."

The SBA grants are in addition to any PPP loans a business may have already received.