Award type: project grant

The Indiana State University was awarded a $1 million Project Grant from the Small Business Administration Office of Entrepreneurial Development under the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CFDA 59.077). The grant will support the provision of high-quality technical assistance and pandemic relief services to small businesses through 2023. As the primary awardee, Indiana State University will serve as a "hub" coordinating sub-awardees or "spokes" to deliver one-on-one counseling and group training to historically underserved small business categories. The services aim to increase participation in Small Business Administration and other federal relief programs targeting minority, women, veteran, rural, and socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activities

Provide high quality support and technical assistance with pandemic relief programs and recovery services to small businesses.; deliverables: grantees will provide reports on activities and progress toward stated goals to SBA on a quarterly basis.

Expected outcomes

Increase awareness of and participation in programs of the u.s small business administration and other government agencies.

Intended beneficiaries

Small businesses and entrepreneurs that fall into a historically underserved category, including minority entrepreneurs (black, indigenous, and people of color), entrepreneurs with disabilities, lgbtq entrepreneurs, rural entrepreneurs; veterans and military entrepreneurs (including spouses), women entrepreneurs, innovative startups, micro businesses, and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses

Subrecipient activities

Grantees (hubs) and their contractors (spokes) will provide high quality support and technical assistance with pandemic relief programs and recovery services to small businesses. This support takes the form of 1:1 counseling and group trainings.