Stamford city officials announced that nearly 200 small businesses will be receiving COVID-19 relief grants.

Officials met at the Government Center to announce the recipients, who are mostly women and minority groups.

Each grant is worth $8,000.

It's all part of an effort by Mayor Caroline Simmons and the Office of Economic Development to help small businesses that were hurt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are so proud. One of our goals with this grant was to make sure it was equitable, to make sure we are providing access to capital to businesses that were struggling," says Simmons. "We are so proud of the incredible women and minority-owned businesses we have in our city."

More than 50 small business owners attended the event.