CINCINNATI — October 26, 2023 — The Cincinnati Regional Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the Duke Energy Foundation, has announced a new grant program that will provide a total of $75,000 in financial assistance for women, veteran, and minority-owned small businesses located in Ohio counties within the Cincinnati region.
Through the grant application process, the Cincinnati Chamber will be selecting and distributing fifteen grants of $5,000 each to qualifying recipients. The funds, made available by the Duke Energy Foundation, should be used towards efforts to improve the vitality of their business. Examples range from capital improvements, payroll support, expansion investments, and other growth-related efforts.
“The Chamber is fully committed to fostering the growth of the local small business community,” said Brendon Cull, President & CEO of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber. “These businesses are vital to our community, and their success contributes to the overall strength of the entire region.”
Since 2020, the Duke Energy Foundation has provided the Cincinnati Chamber Foundation with nearly $400,000 in grants to assist small businesses located in the Cincinnati region. Many of these grants offered crucial financial assistance to small business owners and their employees, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Duke Energy has supported other ways to assist small businesses notably by participating in the Chamber’s Storefronts to the Forefront effort; a program that highlights the impactful offerings and services of small businesses in key business districts throughout our region.
“Duke Energy has always valued the growth and economic success of small businesses in our region,” said Amy Spiller, State President of Duke Energy Ohio & Kentucky. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Cincinnati Chamber and provide support for the small businesses in our region.”
Details on the grant funding:
- Recipients must be a woman, veteran, or minority-owned small business.
- Qualified costs for fund recipients include capital improvements, payroll support, expansion investments, and other growth-related efforts.
- Recipients must be Duke Energy customers.
- Recipients may not use the funds to pay for their Duke Energy utility bill.
- Recipients must be in Ohio counties within the Cincinnati region. (Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, and Brown Counties)
- Recipients must have a physical location separate from the owner’s residence.
- Both Cincinnati Chamber members and non-members are eligible to apply for the funding.
- Awarded applicants must have less than $1 million in annual revenue for every 20 employees.
- Applications are due by the end of the day November 13, 2023.
For more information on grant eligibility and how to apply go to:
https://cincinnatichamber.com/about-us/duke-energy-grant/
