Amazon to grant $5 million to small businesses near its headquarters struggling due to coronavirus

Amazon executives approved a $5 million fund to support small businesses around its Seattle headquarters struggling with a dramatic slowdown since the company instructed its employees to work from home if they could. The company will provide cash grants to businesses with fewer than 50 employees or less than $7 million in annual revenue that serve the public, rely on foot traffic, and have a physical presence “within a few blocks of our Regrade and South Lake Union office buildings,” Amazon vice president of global real estate and facilities John Schoettler said in a message on the company’s blog.