The Mayor of Baton Rouge Creates a $1 Million Small Business Micro-Grant Program
COVID relief funds are available for small businesses in Baton Rouge through the Resilient Restart EBR Program. (Picture provided by Mayor Broome’s Office)
Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome launched a $1 million grant program deemed the Resilient Restart EBR Program on Sept 15, 2020. The program will help locally based small businesses who have been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a perfect example of a private and public partnership that is going to help stimulate our economy by sustaining and empowering some of our small businesses financially through these micro-grants,” the mayor said in a press conference last month.
Small business owners classified as low-to-moderate income individuals based on HUD guidelines are eligible for the grant and those who own and operate a business in a low-to-moderate income census tract in East Baton Rouge Parish. Those who qualify will receive one-time grants for $2,500. The money can go towards rent, utilities, inventory, accounts payable, fixed costs, employee wages, and benefits.
Organizations such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program, the Louisiana Office of Community Development, Investar Bank, GMFS Mortgage, Urban League of Louisiana, ExxonMobil, and Postlethwaite & Netterville contributed to the funding of the program through the CARES Act.
John D’Angelo, President of Investar Banking, stated on the partnership, “I love the fact that the mayor put together a task force to evaluate what can be done in the Baton Rouge community as the result of the pandemic.”
Along with grant funds, the Resilient Restart EBR Program will offer access to entrepreneurial support services through The Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. According to their mission statement, this program provides impactful support to women and minority entrepreneurs who want to create and grow scalable, profitable and sustainable business ventures.
Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for the Mayor’s office Courtney Scott (L) with Rep. Ted James (R). (Picture provided by Mayor Broome’s Office)
President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana Judy Reese Morse said they’re honored that Mayor Broome has chosen the Urban League of Louisiana to administer the Resilient Restart EBR Small Business program.
“We are excited to bring our experience and expertise to match up with Mayor Broome’s vision to strengthen the ecosystem for small businesses here in Baton Rouge,” said Reese-Morse.
Rep. Edward ‘Ted’ James echoed Reese-Morse’s sentiments, “This program providing micro-grants to small businesses falls right in line with the Urban League’s mission. This program is one that shows the importance when state and local government teams up with the business community.”
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation program will supply small business education, one-on-one business counseling, comprehensive business planning and support, loan packaging and business certifications.
Klassi Duncan, Vice-President of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation of the Urban League of Louisiana, stressed how these micro-grants could help small businesses during and after the pandemic.
“Amid COVID-19, our businesses are facing many challenges. And what we do know is that a micro-grants program can be the driver. Not only during this pandemic but after. That’s why this partnership is so important because, in partnership with the mayor’s office, this is the driving force to make sure that our small businesses have the resources that they need.”
Find out more about the Resilient Restart EBR Program below: