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BLOOM Grant Program opens for York small businesses

The 2023 BLOOM Grant Program for Small Businesses Based in Boroughs in York County opens today, the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center announced through the York County Economic Alliance.

The program remains open through June 9. Grants up to $1,500 will be awarded to small businesses located and operating in a York County borough for projects designed to improve productivity, expand services, and encourage growth.

Projects funded through BLOOM include physical improvements to business location, marketing, improving signage, the purchase of new equipment, and training and certification for new services.

The following will receive priority consideration:

Businesses that have not received funding from previous BLOOM grant programs.
Businesses owned by women, or Black, Indigenous, or people of color.
Businesses owned by veterans.
Designated York County Trail Towns Friendly Businesses.

Created in 2018 to help businesses improve productivity, expand services, or grow to the next level, BLOOM Grants numbering 170 have totaled $387,978 that has been distributed to small businesses/organizations in York County, Downtown York, York County Trail Towns communities.

Grant recipients include women-owned businesses, start-up entrepreneurs, and graduates of BLOOM classes. Women-owned businesses have received 70% of the grants, and 53% have gone to persons of color.

An informational webinar will be held May 23 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Applicant finalists are required to participate in a virtual pitch competition on June 20.

Fulton invests $1M to aid women and minority-owned businesses

Innovate Capital Growth Fund Partner Della Clark and Fulton Financial Corporation Chairman and CEO Curtis J. Myers celebrate the bank’s investment to help fund growth for minority- and women-owned businesses – PHOTO/PROVIDED

Fulton Bank is investing $1 million to help minority and women-owned businesses grow.

Fulton, a subsidiary of Fulton Financial Corp., invested the funds in Innovate Capital Growth Fund, L.P., which provides capital and operational expertise to minority- and women-owned businesses.

The investment is part of Fulton Bank’s Commercial Affinity Banking initiative, which is designed to increase access to financial services for diverse businesses, the bank said.

“Fulton Bank’s investment will advance our mission of connecting institutions with minority businesses, unlocking the potential for future growth,” said Innovate Capital Growth Fund Partner Della Clark. “There are more than 3,200 minority-owned and 8,800 women-owned businesses in our target market in the Mid-Atlantic region and providing them with equity capital represents a significant opportunity to contribute to overall economic growth.”

Based in Philadelphia, Innovate Capital Growth Fund is a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) focused on providing equity investments in women- and minority-owned lower middle market firms in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Innovate Capital Growth Fund said it typically works with businesses with annual revenues of approximately $2 million to $10 million from a range of industries, including manufacturing, consumer products, technology, and healthcare services.

“Fulton Bank is committed to ensuring that businesses in the communities we serve have access to the capital and banking services that will empower them to grow and thrive,” said Curtis Myers, chairman and CEO of Fulton Financial Corp. “We are excited about the opportunity to invest in Innovate Capital Growth Fund, which is focused on supporting diverse businesses.”

Senior Vice President and Director of Commercial Affinity Banking Joel Barnett said, “This investment in Innovate Capital Growth Fund is part of Fulton Bank’s Commercial Affinity Banking Program. As part of that program, we are creating a suite of commercial banking solutions which includes access to capital and deposits and payments. Fulton bankers are undergoing training on these new programs and resources to develop expertise in assisting diverse businesses.”

PennDOT to hold conference on contracting opportunities

PennDOT will host a one-day conference, Pathways to PennDOT on Oct. 18 to connect small, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) with potential contracting opportunities at the department.

The conference will be held at the Best Western Premier Hotel and Conference Center Union Deposit at 800 East Park Drive in Harrisburg. Registration is free.

“Small and diverse business are central to our communities, and our economy,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “I’m thrilled to host this conference and to help facilitate connecting these critical businesses to opportunities with PennDOT.”

The conference, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. is open to DBE firms, primes, contractors and industry leaders, and will cover such topics as DBE certification, the PennDOT prequalification process, branding strategies, and a panel discussion on best practices from current DBE’s, among other sessions.

Firms can also learn how to participate in PennDOT’s Mentor-Protégé program, which connects DBEs with prime contractors to gain and expand experience in the industry.

To learn more about Pathways to PennDOT or to register for the conference, visit PennDOT’s website. Pre-registration closes on Oct. 7.

WBCO appoints 3 advisory board members, announces grants

The Women’s Business Center Organization, a program of the York County Economic Alliance, appointed three new members to its advisory board:

Margaret Eckles-Ray, program director for White Deer Run York Assessment Center.
Tara Houser, vice president of marketing with First Capital Federal Credit Union.
Nicole Shaffer, director of her traditions with Traditions Bank.

The WBCO also began its 2022 season by allocating $10,000 in Bloom grant funds to six women-owned businesses in York County.

The money comes through the Bloom Business Empowerment Center, which aims to “accelerate small business ownership and success, promote Pathways to Prosperity for talent development, and advance representation in leadership and access to opportunities,” a news release said.

The recipients are:

Revolt Style Studio, for signage and marketing for 717 fest, a weekend-long, vintage-only vendor market offering curated clothing, accessories, home decor and more.
Sara Ellen Event Venue, to support event venue startup and marketing.
Lash Up, for business improvements to make clients feel safer and more welcome with the addition of extra lighting in the parking lot and other outside areas.
Velvet Beauties, for off-street parking for customers; business improvements; and renovations for a better fitting room.
The Curious Little Playhouse, for an outdoor music system.
Portraits of Beauty by Gretchen, for continuing education to better serve clients through an Elite Enhancement 3 Day Training course on Eyebrow Ombre Powder Brow Training.

Since 2018, 93 small businesses have received a combined $275,000 in Bloom grants – with an average amount of $2,900 each. Fifty-four percent of the enterprises are owned by a person of color, and 64% by women.

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BLOOM Grant Program opens for York small businesses

WBCO appoints 3 advisory board members, announces grants

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