“It’s extremely meaningful, just because of all the hidden openings costs,” said Phil Bratty, who with his wife, Georgia, is opening The Simply Bulk Market at 418 Main St. in a couple weeks. Bratty was one of the first ones to apply for the start-up grant. “I don’t want to say they were all surprises, but when you think about things like setting up phone service, things like that, I just wasn’t prepared for some of those costs.”
The city put $30,000 into the 2009 budget for the start-up grant program, but that money wasn’t touched because the program’s guidelines have just become finalized, said Doug Bene, economic development manager for the city. Another $30,000 budgeted for this year creates a pool of $60,000 available to qualified start-ups.
Each grant is capped at $2,000, and business owners must meet certain criteria, according to Bene.
“The key components of the process are an approved training course and an acceptable business plan,” he said.
The program is open to any business that opened in 2009 or will open this year. The business must be located in a non-residential storefront — meaning no home-based businesses — and the business must be within the city limits.
Hants and Dorset Signs. Bournemouths premier signmakers and for all your signage solutions.
window graphics ~ shop front signs ~ bespoke led signs
cut to size plastic ~ digital wallcovers ~ neon signs ~ projecting signs
The $2,000 is to be used to cover expenses a new business would face, such as business license fees, signage and buying inventory
No comments:
Post a Comment