2023 EXISTING BUSINESS GRANT AWARDS
2023 START-UP BUSINESS GRANT AWARDS
THE NEXT WCEDC GRANT CONTEST APPLICATION OPENS AUGUST 2024
WCEDC organizes this annual Small Business Grant Contest as part of our commitment to helping small businesses
grow in Warren County. Grants totaling $19K will be awarded to the top three businesses in two categories
- Existing Business and Start-Up Business.
2023 CONTEST APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED
CONTEST TIMELINE
Aug. 31, 2023 - Deadline to Enter - Entries will be accepted through midnight
Sept. 12, 2023 - Notification of Top Three Finalists in each grant category
Oct. 3, 2023 - Finalist Presentation and Judging to determine 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each category
EXISTING BUSINESS CRITERIA
Less than 10 full-time employees
Must have at least 2 full-time employees (can include the owner(s), 2 part-time employees can equal 1 full-time equivalent)
A physical commercial location is not required to apply, but businesses that do have an existing commercial location will be scored higher. You will need to explain how you plan to have a physical location within the next twelve months in order to capture points in this category
Business must be located in Warren County
Grant funds may not be used for general on-going operating expenses, to pay off previous debt, or for reimbursement of expenses already incurred.
START UP BUSINESS CRITERIA
Future business must be located in Warren County
Must plan to open a commercial location within two years
Must plan to have at least two full-time employees within three years (can include the owner(s))
Grant funds may not be used for general on-going operating expenses, to pay off previous debt, or for reimbursement of expenses already incurred.
RESOURCES
Here are the application questions if you need to plan your answers for the application.
APPLICATION SCORING
Business Description and Mission
Products and Services
Market Potential and Competition
Marketing and Sales
Operations and Management
Financials
How Grant Funds Will Be Used
Overall Economic Impact Potential
GRANT CONTEST & EVENT
Three finalists in each category will be selected based on scoring of entry applications and overall description. Each finalist will have 10 minutes to present in front of a panel of judges at the final grant contest event. The winners in each category will be announced at the end of the event.
A total of $19,000 in all categories will be awarded in 2023! Here’s the breakdown:
EXISTING GRANT AWARDS
1st Place - $6,000
2nd Place - $3,000
3rd Place - $1,500
START-UP GRANT AWARDS
1st Place - $5,000
2nd Place - $2,500
3rd Place - $1,000
PAST GRANT RECIPIENTS
Norwalk Chiropractic - Existing Business Winner 2014
Studio Fusco- Start-Up Business Winner 2014
The Outside Scoop- Existing Business Winner 2015
ProMark Glass- Start Up Business Winner 2015
Eco Blast LLC- Existing Business Winner 2017
SF Services- Start-Up Business Winner 2017
Funaro's - Existing Business Winner 2018
EmbarkInk - Start-Up Business Winner 2018
Agri-Tech Aviation- Existing Business Winner 2019
West Hill Brewing - Start-Up Business Winner 2019
2022 Small Business Grant Winners