NORWICH - The Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) is accepting donations and applications for its Downtown Norwich Relief Fund with a goal of helping local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Norwich BID Executive Director Ann Coe, the mission of the BID is to foster a vibrant downtown Norwich, and its vision is a productive downtown Norwich that is an exciting place to live, shop, work, play, and invest.

Coe said the BID has created the Norwich Downtown Relief Fund to provide assistance to local businesses and organizations that are within the boundaries of the BID district that are most affected by disruptions resulting from COVID-19.

“Many of the small businesses and organizations in the downtown district have had to close their doors indefinitely and we, like many others in the community, worry about their future,” she said. “Monies raised under the stewardship of BID will assist the businesses in these challenging times.”

“Fostering a bright and vibrant downtown district is at the core of the BID’s mission – this fund will help our district, to the benefit of all who visit, work, and live in Norwich, now and in the months ahead.”

She added that the Norwich Business Improvement District is a 501(c)3 and any contribution is tax deductible.