WATERTOWN â So far, 27 local small businesses have applied for $10,000 city grants that would help them survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The city is offering the program to use $450,000 in CARES Act funds to help local small businesses impacted by the pandemic. The city is allocating $10,000 grants to 45 businesses. The city will continue to offer the grants until the $450,000 runs out. Michael A. Lumbis, the cityâs planning and community development director, said âa wide range of businessesâ have applied for the grants. Although there was some confusion that they could not be funded, he stressed that restaurants â as long as they are not franchises â are eligible for the funding.