By : MELISSA MURPHY
Source : http://www.thereporter.com
Category : Small Business Grant
A two-year grant given to Solano County from the state has stimulated economic activity in the area, according to county officials.
A public hearing Tuesday before the Board of Supervisors will share the accomplishments of the $300,000 State Community Development Block Grant. The grant, received by the county in 2009, expired in December.
Additionally, the county will hold another public hearing to discuss submitting a new application to receive $400,000 in block grant economic assistance funds to be used for the Microenterprise Assistance Program and the Business Assistance Program for the cities of Benicia, Dixon, Rio Vista and Suisun City and unincorporated Solano County.
Services provided by the programs, funded by the grant, include providing low- to moderate-income businesses with training and counseling services.
The services provided are related to business startup basics, business planning financing, marketing, basic bookkeeping, hiring employees and other small business topics necessary for current and prospective business owners to succeed and grow their businesses.
The accomplishments after more than 262 hours of counseling services, according to staff, include 12 news jobs created at five businesses, 10 jobs retained at seven businesses, five clients started business activity and four businesses reported increased sales activity.
Using the Microenterprise Loan Program, Chepo's Tamales and Groceries in Elmira was awarded $50,000 to enable the business to meet U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements to expand its wholesale tamale sales.
Meanwhile, the county is now in the position to apply for a new grant worth $400,000. The county's goal is to continue its effort with the Solano College Small Business Development Center to stimulate the economic activity in Benicia, Dixon Suisun City, Rio Vista and the unincorporated areas of the county.
The application, which must be submitted by April 6, requests $277,500 for the assistance services and $92,500 for the business assistance loan program. The grant also provides for $30,000 in general administration funds to offset the cost of county staff time.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. in the County Government Center, 675 Texas St., Fairfield.
Source : http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_20252224/solano-county-leaders-will-share-accomplishments-from-grant
