{"id":1299,"date":"2020-12-29T23:07:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-29T23:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lovevionly.com\/dem\/?p=1299"},"modified":"2021-03-01T23:09:49","modified_gmt":"2021-03-01T23:09:49","slug":"mayor-bowser-awards-over-200000-in-dream-grants-to-ward-7-8-microbusinesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lovevionly.com\/dem\/uncategorized\/mayor-bowser-awards-over-200000-in-dream-grants-to-ward-7-8-microbusinesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Bowser Awards Over $200,000 in Dream Grants to Ward 7 & 8 Microbusinesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the 21 recipients of the Fiscal Year 2021 Ward 7 & 8 Microbusiness Dream Grants. Through $10,000 grants, the District will provide business development support for microbusinesses in Wards 7 and 8 that are also owned, or majority-owned, by residents of Wards 7 and 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe pandemic has hit small businesses hard, and going into the New Year we will continue using every tool in our toolbox to support our collective comeback,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> said Mayor Muriel Bowser. \u201cThrough the Dream Grants, we support the local businesses that support and invest in our communities and in our residents.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operated by the Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD), the Dream Grants support businesses with fewer than 5 full-time employees in growing and achieving sustainability. These targeted investments, along with additional, ongoing technical assistance and training, help to strengthen the critical small businesses that employ Washingtonians and build community wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur small businesses have been resilient during these unprecedented times,\u201d said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio. \u201cThrough these grants we are ensuring more residents have a fair shot and can thrive into the future, while alleviating some of the financial burdens COVID-19 has imposed on our small and local businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, the Dream Grantees represent a diverse cross-section of industries, including: a maternal and infant health provider, a ceramics studio, a food truck, a kids design firm, barbershops, clothing companies, a child care center, trucking and hauling businesses, education consultants, a jam producer, wellness practitioners, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn these uncertain times, the Dream Grants are another reminder of the Mayor\u2019s commitment to reach across the river and into all 8 wards,\u201d said Department of Small and Local Business Development Director Kristi Whitfield. \u201cWe are happy to support the development and sustainability of small businesses East of the River. Through this grant, these small businesses are not only able to survive, but contribute to the community and help build the local economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the Dream Grants started in 2018, the District Government has awarded over $700,000 across more than 70 microbusinesses in Wards 7 and 8. DSLBD specifically designed the grant program to make it easy and accessible for microbusinesses to apply and receive technical support, while also streamlining the requirements and the payment process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fiscal Year 2021 Dream Grant Awardees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n