YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Small businesses in York County are invited to apply for grant funds to help them improve their business.
Applications for the 2024 BLOOM Grant Program for Small Businesses in York County open today and are available through Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. The funds are awarded by the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center through the York County Economic Alliance.
The organizations will award grants from $500 to $1,500 to small businesses owned and operating in York County for projects that will help them improve productivity, expand their services or grow to the next level. Examples of projects funded through other BLOOM grant funds include improving signage, physical improvements to business location, marketing, training and certification for new services or purchase of new equipment.
“The application process is easy to follow, and the platform offers a convenient way to provide requested information. Follow up emails were a major help to keep us on track,” said Montika and Halman Smith, owners of Comfort Zone Mattress, recipients of the 2023 Business in Boroughs BLOOM Grant Program. “You all are a true blessing to our business.”
Grant amounts will be considered based on need and potential impact, organizers said.
Priority consideration will be given to:
- Businesses that have not received funding from previous BLOOM grant programs.
- Businesses owned by Women, or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
- Businesses owned by Veterans.
- Businesses that use local businesses to fulfill the grant implementation, where applicable.
Since its launch in 2018, organizers say 235 BLOOM Grants totaling $480,000 have been distributed to small businesses/organizations in York County, downtown York and York County Trail Towns communities. The funds have gone to women-owned businesses, start-up entrepreneurs and graduates of the BLOOM classes, with 49% of grants going to businesses owned by persons of color and 78% going to women-owned businesses.
To fill out an application, click here. The application and guidelines are available in English and Spanish. Finalists must participate in an in-person pitch competition held in the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Business owners who are interested in the program are invited to register to attend an informational Zoom on Wednesday, July 24 at 5:30 p.m.
