Four $5,000 grants are available to support the launch of small businesses in United Way priority neighbourhoods across Windsor and Essex County.

United Way currently funds four neighbourhood engagement programs and an integral part of neighbourhood revival is thriving small businesses within communities. As a natural evolution of these efforts, the grants will support businesses looking to open in these priority areas in Windsor (Downtown, Olde Sandwich Towne, Wyandotte Town Centre, Ford City) and targeted areas in the County (Uptown Leamington, Essex Centre, Harrow).

BENEFITS:

• Training opportunities to applicants to support local entrepreneurship provided by the Windsor-Essex Small Business Centre.
• All business plans will be vetted by the organization’s staff to ensure their rigor, with opportunities to fill gaps in applications through training or supports being provided before final submissions are made.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A completed business plan with accompanying financials;
• Evidence of commercial space being secured in one of the priority areas (letter of intent with a landlord, conditional lease or sale agreement, or completed lease or sale agreement);
• And a signed community benefit’s agreement with an agency(s) or group(s) in the priority neighbourhood. Community Benefits are an important part of this grant. In the context of this project, the expectation for applicants is for them to provide in-kind service or volunteerism to support community and become a champion and anchor in their neighbourhood. This will provide both for the community and help promote their business.