The City of Jamestown is accepting applications for its Downtown Small Business Evolution (DSBE) to provide small businesses with the funding necessary to create a fresh and exciting draw to their establishments that will generate new sources of revenue, enhance the vitality of Jamestown, and assist in their financial recovery from the COVID-19 response efforts.
Donor Name: City of Jamestown
State: New York
City: Jamestown
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $15,000
Details:
Downtown Small Business Evolution Program encourages business owners to think outside the box and pursue innovative ideas for diversifying their services and offerings, and generating greater number of patrons by increasing foot traffic. The goal of this program is to create an opportunity for businesses to strengthen their resiliency and ensure sustainability as Jamestown continues to comeback from COVID-19 and uncertain times.
Businesses may use this funding to create outdoor spaces for dining, book entertainment, hold industry-related seminars, and add new goods, offerings, and services that have potential to increase revenue. Funding may also be used to make necessary adaptations to continue operating within COVID safe practices and to utilize exterior or interior design principles to create safety, engagement, and activity.
Source of Funds
DSBE grant program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The U.S. Department of Treasury is responsible of overseeing this unprecedented program that provides a substantial infusion of resources to eligible state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to help reverse the negative impacts of the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. Downtown Small Business Evolution Program funding is limited to $35,000.
Funding Structure and Awards
Awards are provided in amounts up to $15,000. This amount may be used exclusively for project costs. Businesses may also use 25% of the total project cost for working capital for a total grant award of $15,000.
Eligible Activities
Grant assistance may be used for the following:
- Outdoor seating spaces, or creating Parklets.
- Restaurant equipment used to produce a new item or line of items that do not currently exist in menu’s offerings.
- Creation of a coalition of like businesses to engage in group marketing, entertainment offerings, or a series of special events to drive patrons downtown.
- In-house special events to draw patrons to establishment.
- A series of industry related trainings, seminars, workshops.
- Other revenue generating ventures.
- Expenses must have been incurred after March 3, 2021.
Eligible Applicants
- Funding is provided to business owners for the purpose of creating revenue generating services, offerings, and spaces. Businesses must be within the City of Jamestown with priority given to businesses in the downtown business district.
- Businesses must be in good standing with no litigation, as of March 30, 2020 which would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition. Businesses that have filed bankruptcy, or sought protection from creditors are not eligible for funding. Businesses that have received citations for a violation of federal, state, or local laws or regulations with respect to labor practices, hazardous wastes, environmental pollution or operating practices are not eligible for funding. There must be no outstanding judgements or liens pending against the business or its principals, other than liens in the normal course of business.
- To be eligible, business owners must:
- Be current on all city and school taxes.
- Be current on BPU accounts.
- Be a for-profit business. Not-for-profits are not eligible for funding
- Businesses should not be nationally dominant in its field.
For more information, visit City of Jamestown.
