10 Charleston businesses receive grant funds
Charleston WV (March 28, 2023)
The Charleston Area Alliance has announced the recipients of small business grants through a grant program for existing women and minority-owned small businesses located within the City of Charleston. Grant recipients received mini-grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. Funds will be used for business expansion efforts, equipment investments, inventory purchases and marketing expenses.
2023 Grantees:
- ABC Dance, Brianna Hickman
- Just Kelly’s Hair Salon, Kelly Smoot
- Karubees Jamaican Restaurant, Kerry Martin
- Luxe – Cosmetic Tattoo + Beauty Lounge, Casey Morgan
- Mountain Juice WV LCC, Lisa Smith
- Oddbird Gifts, Naomi Bays
- Phat Daddy’s, Octavia Cordon
- PsychSolutions4WV, Ann Bostic
- StrongRapport, Angelica Gilleran
- WeBFryin Snacks, LLC, Connie Martin
“The Alliance is pleased to be providing this type of growth and development support to local small businesses,” stated Nicole Christian, President and CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance. “Women and minorities have traditionally faced additional hurdles when trying to access business capital. These grant funds reflect our commitment to creating opportunity and building equity in our region.”
The goal of the Grant Program is to help existing women and/or minority-owned small businesses located within the city limits of Charleston to expand by increasing profitability. An independent panel selected the grant recipients. There will be one round of grants distributed in 2024 and 2025. Funding for the Grant Program is provided by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the City of Charleston, WV.
The Charleston Area Alliance is a multi-faceted economic, business and community development organization and the largest regional Chamber of Commerce in West Virginia. The Alliance attracts and retains innovative industries and workforce, revitalizes urban spaces and improves Charleston, West Virginia and the Kanawha Valley through a unified mission and strategic goals.
