COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANTS
Applications are now open for COVID-19 small business recovery grants of up to $20,000. Grants through the Columbus-Franklin County Small Business Recovery Fund are available to local small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically those in underserved communities and/or minority-owned businesses, disadvantaged businesses and veteran-owned businesses.
Applications opened Monday, March 7, 2022 and are being accepted in waves, opening every six weeks through Saturday, September 3, 2022, or until all funds are awarded. Go to
SmallBusinessRecoveryGrant.com to determine eligibility and apply.
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Welcome to the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneur Development.
The Office of Small Business and Entrepreneur Development serves as a catalyst for inclusive neighborhood-based economic development by providing concierge-style resource navigation services to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The mission of the Office is to provide facilitated assistance aimed at assisting aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to start, grow, and expand viable businesses through the use of economic development tools such as grants, loans, and specialized technical assistance while aiding in the stabilization and revitalization of our traditional urban neighborhoods and corridors.
Small Business Ecosystem Assessment
The City of Columbus partnered with Next Street and Development Strategies to assess the small business ecosystem in Columbus in order to identify gaps and opportunities for supporting a thriving and inclusive ecosystem. Click here to download the summary.
Access our City Chat video to learn more about the Small Business Ecosystem Assessment.
Advisory Committee members and public and private sector leaders across the small business and entrepreneurial ecosystem came together with the City of Columbus and Next Street to analyze the findings and ultimately prioritize four strategies that will guide the transformation of the Columbus small business ecosystem into a primary driver of economic inclusion.
The Columbus Small Business Agenda is a city-sponsored strategic and collaborative multi-agency effort to prioritize inclusive entrepreneurship and small business development as a viable and sustainable method of achieving economic empowerment and mobility.
Accelerate Columbus
In 2018 the Economic Development Division of the Department of Development launched a supportive network of entrepreneur support organizations as an outcome of its Reimagining Small Business Initiatives. The network delivers structured programs under Accelerate Columbus branding through a cadre of partnering organizations. To learn more, please visit one of our partners by clicking below:
Ohio Small Business Development Centers at Columbus State Community College
YMT Consultants
R. L. Underwood & Associates
Ohio Minority Business Assistance Center hosted by Columbus Urban League
GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES INITIATIVE
The City of Columbus is happy to partner
with Goldman Sachs and Columbus State Community College in bringing the Goldman
Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative to the city. This initiative will
provide a great opportunity for business owners to gain access to tools and
knowledge to grow their business while building a powerful professional network- all at no cost to the business owners.
Eligible
businesses have at least $150,000 in revenues, at least four employees and have
been in business at least two years. Business owners can visit www.10ksbapply.com/Ohio.
Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program
The
Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization (NCR) program offers Technical
Assistance, Capital Improvements, Financial Incentives as well as Planning and
Design within seven designated business districts. The NCR Program is an
innovative and exciting approach for stimulating investment in these districts.
It builds upon the economic base of these areas to create an environment
conducive to business growth and expansion.
Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Program Map
Exterior Storefront Renovation Grant
Interior Renovation Grant
Small Business Concierge
If you
would like to know more about our services, projects, and current programs, please click here to view our most current brochure.