Local

‘That makes an impact’: Grant allows small Jacksonville businesses to receive funding

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Some local businesses in parts of Jacksonville’s most under-valued communities are getting some much-needed help - thanks to a grant secured by city council president Sam Newby.

Businesses that were awarded the grant are splitting a million-dollar grant. Councilman Newby said he wanted to make sure the money went to the neighborhoods that need it the most.

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“It’s going to bring money to the community that really needs it,” said Newby.

Newby and LISC Jacksonville partnered Wednesday to present $1 million to small businesses in the city’s most under-resourced communities.

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“When I first became president, I wanted to make sure that small minority businesses had an opportunity to move forward,” said Newby.

RJ Tripp, TSG Construction and Spencer Florist will each get a portion of the grant.

Each business fit the criteria for the award: they had to make less than $2 million a year, had to be at least 2 years old and have a clear outline for the future.

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“This is a good shot in the arm for the business. It will allow us to do some things,” Charles Spencer, owner of Spencer Florist said.

Spencer described how the money will help his business grow.

“35,000, that makes an impact. Last year we did over a half of million dollars gross and the businesses has been growing steady every year,” said Spencer.

Ulysses Milledge said having these funds allocated to businesses in underserved communities will breathe new life into the area.

“My community as of now is a desert. We don’t have laundromats, we don’t have grocery stores; they are further off,” said Milledge. “At this time we are suffering with that. Money is going all over the city, finally, we are getting some investment in our area.”

Newby said this gives these local businesses a competitive edge in the future.

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