The 2022 Downtown York Bloom Grant Program seeks to help businesses address a tangible need that will help them improve productivity, expand their services, or grow to the next level.
Donor Name: Downtown York
State: Pennsylvania
County: York County (PA)
City: York
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/29/20222
Size of the Grant: $500 to $1,500
Details:
Since 2018, $313,478 has been distributed to 116 small businesses/organizations in York County, Downtown York, Trail Town communities, women-owned businesses, start-up entrepreneurs, and to graduates of small business development courses, with 53% of grants going to businesses owned by persons of color and 65% going to women-owned businesses.
The vision of the Bloom Empowerment Center is to offer enhanced technical support, attainable capital, and access to opportunity which instills York with a thriving culture of entrepreneurship defined by their rate of business births, women-owned businesses, and minority business enterprises.
Priority consideration will be given to:
- While they encourage past BLOOM recipients to apply again for new initiatives, priority shall be given to those who have not received prior BLOOM grants.
- Businesses owned by Women or Veterans
- Businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color
Funding Information
Grant amounts will range from $500 to $1,500.
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses for this Downtown York grant program MUST be located in within the Business Improvement District in (Downtown York) and must have revenue generated as of June 1, 2022.
- Applications should be for projects that will improve productivity, expand/improve services, or grow to the next level in the businesses’ respective Downtown area
- Applicants cannot have more than 50 full or part-time employees.
- Applicants must match 10% of the grant’s capital value to show commitment to the project being funded.
- Grant recipients must use the allocated funds within 6 months on the approved expense.
- Preference will be given to companies that use local businesses to fulfill the grant implementation, where applicable.
- Applicants cannot be an employee or board member of Downtown Inc, YCEA, or affiliate board; cannot be a family member of an employee or board member;
- While we encourage past BLOOM recipients to apply again for new initiatives, priority shall be given to those who have not received prior BLOOM grants.
- Only for-profit businesses are eligible. Non-profits are not eligible
- Applicants cannot be fa federal, state, or municipal elected or appointed official.
Grant criteria
New Tangible improvements such as:
- Exterior façade or interior renovations
- Curb appeal/placemaking enhancements
- Lighting improvements; safety upgrades both interior and exterior
- Equipment such as improved commercial kitchen equipment, merchandising and display fixtures, point of sale technology upgrades to improve speed and customer experience
- Space expansions/renovations
- Other material improvements to the business that would expand growth, business services, and business opportunity and/or make a positive impact on the overall local business environment.
- Business upgrades and adjustments related to COVID-19 recovery
- Adding or expanding outdoor seating or outdoor retail space
- Expenses related to marketing or advertising
BLOOM Grant funds cannot be used for:
- Owner compensation
- Payroll or payroll taxes
- Mortgage/lease or property tax payments
- Utilities, other recurring operating expenses
- Day to day operating supplies—other than personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Credit card or other debt payment.
For more information, visit Downtown York.