Minority Owned Business Grant

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The Downtown Community Improvement District has created a fund to assist entrepreneurs of marginalized identities with their marketing expenses. Applicants must be businesses starting or relocating a business to The District within six months of October 1, 2022. The aim of the funding is to increase the viability, visibility, and growth of each awardee’s business. Grants of up to $5000 will be awarded.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Business must be 51% or more owned by a Columbia resident who is African American, Non-White Hispanic, Native American, Asian Pacific, or Asian Indian

  • Client under 5 years in business must have or create a feasible business plan with at least one-year financial projections for business to be located or currently located in the District. Mentors are available to assist with business plan creation.

  • Client over 5 years in business must be locating or currently located in the District. Mentors are available to assist if needed.

  • Client must pitch their business and what they plan to do with the funds to the District Economics committee or board of directors.

  • At time of award, Client must have a signed leased in the District. Businesses are eligible up to 6 months from date of lease start to apply.

GRANT HISTORY

In 2021 our Board of Directors voted to create the Minority-Owned Business Grant. There is a considerable imbalance of diverse business owners in our downtown. This is a direct result of Black-owned businesses being pushed out of the Sharp End in the 1960s during urban renewal. While this grant will not fix the problem, our goal is that this small first step will help bring us closer to parity.

In March of 2022, our Board of Directors awarded the first 3 Minority Business Grants to -

In February of 2023, our second round of grant funding was awarded. Due to the success and interest in the first round, over $30,000 was set aside by The District for this round. Congratulate -

Each business was awarded the full grant amount of $5,000 (dependent on proof of a signed lease within The District).