Award type: project grant

This $1 million Project Grant from the Small Business Administration's Office of Entrepreneurial Development, awarded on December 1, 2021 under the Community Navigator Pilot Program (CFDA #59.077), will support the delivery of pandemic relief and recovery services to historically underserved small businesses through November 30, 2023. Lakewood Community Service Corporation will serve as the Hub organization providing direct technical assistance and counseling to small businesses, and will partner with Spoke contractors to conduct group training sessions. Services will focus on increasing participation in SBA and other government assistance programs aimed at supporting small business recovery from COVID-19 impacts. This aligns with the American Rescue Plan's goal of providing $100 million in competitive grants for Community Navigator services targeting outreach, education and support for small businesses.

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.