Business Improvement Grant Application

2023 EMMS Business Improvement Grant Guidelines

About the Program

The mission of Eastern Market Main Street (EMMS) is to capitalize on our historic assets and entrepreneurial culture to promote and retain our diverse, small businesses through the Main Street Four-Point Approach: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality. EMMS has identified the need for direct, capacity-building support for the small and local businesses on the corridor, and will work to address the issues faced by these businesses through grants designed to strengthen and promote equity among the businesses that create the unique, historic environment of the EMMS commercial corridor.

EMMS Business Improvement Grant is intended to stimulate business improvements to help build a stronger business community. The program disburses grants on a reimbursement basis and is generously supported by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development.

Eligibility

Who is Eligible: Owners/tenants of existing commercial buildings and weekend vendors located within EMMS’ commercial corridor boundaries. Tenants of The Yard co-working space who are small business owners, with a customer-facing trade and have a lease/agreement for a year or more may apply. The boundaries are as follows: 7th Street SE from Pennsylvania to North Carolina Avenues, C Street SE from 6th to 8th Streets, and the 600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. First preference for applicants that did not receive EMMS grant funds in 2023.

Eligible Activities and Projects for EMMS 2023 Business Improvement funds:

● Business planning

● Management training

● Government regulation assistance

● Marketing and branding assistance (social media, website, storefront/on-site, etc.)

● Tax preparation and accounting assistance

● Legal assistance

● One-on-one or collaborative business assistance

● Signage (including signs, mounting brackets and other hardware, and window lettering)

● Awning/Canopy repairs or replacements

● Exterior Lighting

● Exterior façade repairs or replacements

Projects and consultants are subject to review by EMMS for eligibility. EMMS reserves the right to ask for evidence of a consultant’s qualifications.

Your business is NOT ELIGIBLE for a 2023 EMMS Business Improvement Grant:

If your business decides to enroll in the RAMW Training programs offered free of charge by EMMS.

If your business received business improvement grant funds from the 2022 EMMS Subgranting: BUT 2023 granting will be offered AFTER NEW APPLICANTS ARE CONSIDERED.

Timeline and Requirements

The deadline for applications is on March 30, 2023 and EMMS will only consider complete applications

(an application checklist can be found below). Grant awards will be announced in April 2023 and

recipients will have until August 15, 2023 to submit all documentation for reimbursement.

A completed application consists of:

● Grant Application

● Copy of lease for business address

● Copy of quote from consultants or firms including qualifications

● Copy of proof of payment (canceled check, credit card receipt, etc) if applying for a project

already completed

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions of the grant, which can be amended at any time, are currently as follows:

● All projects paid for by this grant must occur between October 1, 2022 and September 30,

2023 – no projects outside this time frame will be considered.

● This grant is a reimbursement grant. Payments will not be issued directly to consultants,

firms, or other vendors.

● The grant will reimburse up to a total of $2,500.

● All required documentation listed in the checklist above must be submitted for the application

to be considered complete. Incomplete applications are not eligible.

● Ineligible expenses include salary or benefits for employees, travel, permit fees, food and

beverage costs, and loan interest.

● EMMS reserves the right to refuse funding for projects that do not align with the program

objectives, as well as for any other reason agreed upon by the EMMS Economic Vitality

Committee.

To apply, please complete the following pages and attach the required documentation in the checklist.

Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. For

Email a COMPLETE applicationby March 30, 2023

to Ann Blackwell, Executive Director of Eastern Market Main Street, ann@easternmarketmainstreet.org.

For questions or assistance: 202-853-9810

APPLICATION

Business Name: ________________________________________________________________

Building Address: ______________________________________________________________

Applicant/Contact Name: ________________________________________________________

Applicant Email: _______________________________________________________________

Applicant Phone: _______________________________________________________________

Applicant Project (check one):

Business planning
Management training
Government regulation assistance
Marketing and branding assistance (social media, website, storefront/on-site, etc.)
Tax preparation and accounting assistance
Legal assistance
One-on-one or collaborative business assistance
Signage (including signs, mounting brackets and other hardware, and window lettering)
Awning/Canopy repairs or replacements
Exterior Lighting
Exterior façade repairs or replacements

Total Funds Requested: $________________ Total Cost of Project: $_________________

Project Description (Please provide a brief description of the type of assistance for which you are applying, what problem/issue within your business you are addressing, and how this assistance will increase your business capacity. Please submit no more than one page, single spaced.):

_____________________________________________________________________________________

INITIAL ALL THAT APPLY:

______ I am the owner/manager of (business) ______________________________________________.

______ This application is for a project that has already been completed.

______ This application is for a project that is underway.

______ This application is for a project that will be completed by (date) ________________.

______ I understand that the program can provide reimbursement of 70% of eligible expenses, to a maximum of $2,500.

______ I understand that I am required to pay for all upfront costs.

______ I understand that I will be required to provide invoices, quotes, and proof of payment to qualify for the reimbursement.

The signature of the business owner is required below.

_______________________________ __________________________ ___________

Business Owner Signature Business Owner Name Date

Please submit by April 30, 2023. Awards are based on the availability of funds. This application does not constitute a grant agreement.

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REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS:

[ ] Completed Application

[ ] Copy of lease for installation address

[ ] Copy of quote from consultants or firms including qualifications (business license, CBE documentation, CV/resume, etc.)

[ ] Copy of proof of payment (cancelled check, credit card receipt, etc)

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