August 25, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contacts:
Sandy Collier
Hey Sandy! PR & Communications
[email protected]
(561) 386-5262
Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
[email protected]
(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)
Local Businesses Receive Timely Support from New West Palm Beach City Grant Program
West Palm Beach, FL – (August 28, 2023) The Office of Small Minority/Women Business Programs at the City of West Palm Beach has announced the list of grant awardees of the First Steps: Small Business and Minority/Women Business Enterprise Grants.
When it was announced in April, the City of West Palm Beach’s First Steps: Small Business and Minority/Women Business Enterprise Grant Program was met with enthusiasm from small-, minority-, and women -business owners. There was a total of $500,000.00 dollars allocated for this grant program.
More than 230 grant applications were submitted for financial assistance in four categories: marketing, inventory/equipment, property improvement, and new business development. Grant requests ranged from $20,000 to $50,000. The total funds requested cumulatively were $9,400,712.09 After a comprehensive review process, the following businesses were selected for award:
Inventory/Equipment
- A P Electronics, LLC
- Achieve CPR LLC
- Aubry Art & Design, Inc.
- BCMB Enterprises, Inc. dba A Better Way Home Care
- BK Naturals, Inc – dba – Kushae
- Blue Mountain Coffee House, LLC
- Buddy Baton, LLC
- Camiles Flowers & Gifts
- Cityside Suites Business Café, Inc.
- Dynamic Duo PT, LLC
- Eat ‘n’ Cake LLC
- Familee First Pest Control Svcs LLC
- Fantasy Oasis Inc dba Fantasy Island Restaurant
- Fat Boy Sauceless Ribs & More
- M. Nicolas Enterprise, LLC dba World Health Services
- Panty Promise, LLC
- Passionate Care Services, LLC
- Patillo Enterprises LLC dba FL Maintenance Solutions
- Poco P’s Cosmetics, LLC
- Rose Trolley, LLC
- Serene Beauty, LLC
- Street Art Revolution, LLC
- The Blind Monk, LLC
- Vibrations Kava Bar
- Vital Vita Wellness, LLC
Marketing:
- Creative Solutions Companion Care Svcs
- Designed by BM, Inc., dba Brittani M. Design
- HACA Property Investment, LLC
- Journey C&D Group, Inc.
- Search Appeal, LLC
- Studio B Media Group
- Thompson Creative Collective, Inc
New Business:
- 561 Custom, LLC
- All About Us, LLC
- HD Vacation Rentals, LLC
- SCCA, LLC
- The Kookie Box, LLC
- Travnetwork
- The TJ Spot, LLC
Property Improvement:
- 1st Source Construction, Inc.
- JES Bookkeeping Services, LLC.
- Moving Forward Again Enterprises, LLC
- P & L Corporates Solutions, LLC
“The City is pleased with the response to this new program, which exceeded our expectations,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “We are dedicated to helping our small business community recover from the lasting economic impact of the pandemic.”
First Steps follows the success of the City’s Small and Minority/Woman Business COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Loan Program offered in 2022. Recognizing the ongoing challenges affecting small businesses, including inflation, supply chain issues, and staffing shortages, City officials worked to provide support to owners who were not able or willing to take on debt to recover or grow their businesses.
“The grant selection process was aided by the collaboration of local business owners,” said Frank Hayden, Director of the Office of Small & Minority Business Programs. “Sincere thanks to our selection committee, which included Veronica Cooper of Cooper Construction, Bruce Lewis of LB Limited and Thais Sullivan of Valley Bank. And congratulations to all of the grant recipients.”
Kimberly Weston is a grant recipient who owns Camiles Flowers & Gifts on 607 25th Street in West Palm Beach. The grant is going to help the business to store fresh flowers in a new walk-in cooler. The flowers will be for purchase by their customers. The business owner will sign all required documents on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at 11 a.m.
This grant program is a part of the city’s ongoing commitment to help support local businesses.
Who: City of West Palm Beach Office of Small Minority/Women Business Programs
What: Announces Grant Winners of First Steps Grant Program
When: Friday, August 25, 2023 at 11 a.m. ET
Where: OSMBP 401 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, 2nd Floor
Why: The grant recipient will sign paperwork and discuss how the money will positively impact their business.
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About the OSMBP:
The office was established by Mayor Keith A. James in 2019 to ensure fair business practices in the city. The office is responsible for coordinating and facilitating programs that foster workforce development, business development, and professional education and training. The office informs businesses of how to work with the city and welcomes small-, minority-, and women-owned businesses to be active participants in the city’s procurement process. The office also tracks the compliance by city departments and prime contractors on their inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility to procurement solicitations.
About the City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.
Originally published at https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/News/News/3601/772
