The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) invites small businesses to apply for funding through the New Business Champions Micro Grant Program. Businesses may receive up to $2,000 to access free services from professional service advisers and mentors from the region.

Nearly 100 small business owners in Chester County have benefited so far from the New Business Champions program since it launched in February 2022 to help small businesses develop critical entrepreneurial skills. The program offers business plan coaching, startup services and mentorship from professional service advisers in accounting, marketing, human resources and more. Small businesses do not have to be funded through the New Business Champions program to be eligible for support services. Darlene Jenkins Walls, CCEDC manager of entrepreneur outreach and support, noted that CCEDC would especially like to help businesses from underserved areas of Chester County.

To be eligible, businesses must have been established within the past five years, be based in Chester County and have 10 or fewer employees. Consideration is given to business owners who are minorities, women, veterans, non-college degree holders, first-generation college graduates or re-entering the workforce after an extended absence. Prior recipients of the New Business Champions Micro Grant Program are not eligible.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 1, at https://ccedcpa.com/new-business-champions/. CCEDC recommends that businesses start gathering background information, including a description of products and services, how the business began, key areas that drive the business and key areas where the business can benefit from these types of professional services.

Awards are subject to eligibility and funding availability, as well as a business needs assessment conducted through the CCEDC Business Resource Center, which opened its permanent home last fall at 357 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville.

The Business Resource Center serves small business owners by appointment. In addition, CCEDC offers access to the Pennsylvania Catalyst Loan Fund, which provides low-interest loans to business owners who have not qualified for conventional bank debt.

CCEDC's New Business Champions Micro Grant Program is funded in part by the Chester County Workforce Development Board and Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.