Cuyahoga County is launching a new grant program that will provide small businesses with up to $10,000 in financial assistance along with access to business support and training.
The county’s new Business Boost Initiative will make $250,000 in grant funding available to eligible businesses, with individual awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
Applications open Wednesday, Sept. 16, and must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 16.
The program is being administered through the Cuyahoga County Office of Small Business and is aimed at some of the county’s smallest businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods and the cornerstone of our economy, so we need to do all we can to support them,” Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne said. “Through the Business Boost Initiative, we are expanding access to funding and resources for even more entrepreneurs and small businesses across Cuyahoga County.”
In addition to grant funding, participating businesses will be connected with technical assistance, business resources and other programs intended to help them strengthen and grow their operations.
County officials say the initiative is also designed to address some of the barriers small businesses face when trying to access capital.
“The Small Business Boost is about more than funding,” said Vaughn Johnson, deputy director for economic development and lead of the Office of Small Business. “It is about building a coordinated ecosystem where small businesses are connected to the right resources at the right time including capital opportunities and access to programming and training.”
Cuyahoga County is home to more than 30,000 small businesses that collectively employ nearly 300,000 residents, according to county data.
The Office of Small Business works with local chambers of commerce, trade associations, industry leaders and other organizations to connect entrepreneurs with resources and opportunities.
Business owners interested in the Business Boost Initiative can visit the Cuyahoga County Office of Small Business website for eligibility requirements and application information.