New Castle County is offering small businesses up to $10,000 in grant money. Here's how to qualify

Anitra Johnson, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·2 min read

New Castle County has launched a grant program aiming to stimulate economic activity along the Philadelphia Pike, Route 13 and Route 9 commercial corridors. Local businesses along the business routes are being encouraged to apply for their share of the grant money.

Partially funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, New Castle County established the New Castle County Corridor Revitalization Fund to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on qualified small businesses, churches and nonprofits located on and near the specified thoroughfares.

A total of $440,000 in funding is available. The grant program will be managed by True Access Capital and Claymont Renaissance Development Corp. Administrators anticipate that 40 to 50 grants will be awarded. The program will end on Dec. 31, 2024, or once the funds have been fully utilized.

What the grant can be used for

Awarded funding must be used to improve a business's interior or exterior including:

  • Facades

  • Leasehold improvements

  • Landscaping and hardscaping

  • Signage

  • Equipment

The grant can also be used to pay back recently incurred debt for business upgrades.

Funding limits and areas the program covers

Small businesses can apply for either a grant of up to $5,000 or a matching grant of up to $10,000. Qualifying for the grant is simple. "As long as you're an eligible business and you're located in the commercial corridor, you get the $5,000 grant," said Vandell Hampton Jr., president & CEO of True Access Capital. To be awarded the $10,000 grant, eligible businesses must have matching funds.

New Castle County officials and fund administrators are hosting information sessions to offer additional information and assistance with the application process.

New Castle County’s Corridor Revitalization Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to support eligible small business owners with improvement projects. The grants aim to boost economic activity along the county's commercial corridors identified as needing investment. The shaded areas on the map highlight where grant funds can be utilized.
New Castle County’s Corridor Revitalization Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to support eligible small business owners with improvement projects. The grants aim to boost economic activity along the county's commercial corridors identified as needing investment. The shaded areas on the map highlight where grant funds can be utilized.
New Castle County’s Corridor Revitalization Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to support eligible small business owners with improvement projects. The grants aim to boost economic activity along the county's commercial corridors identified as needing investment. The shaded areas on the map highlight where grant funds can be utilized.
New Castle County’s Corridor Revitalization Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to support eligible small business owners with improvement projects. The grants aim to boost economic activity along the county's commercial corridors identified as needing investment. The shaded areas on the map highlight where grant funds can be utilized.
New Castle County’s Corridor Revitalization Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to support eligible small business owners with improvement projects. The grants aim to boost economic activity along the county's commercial corridors identified as needing investment. The shaded areas on the map highlight where grant funds can be utilized.
New Castle County’s Corridor Revitalization Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to support eligible small business owners with improvement projects. The grants aim to boost economic activity along the county's commercial corridors identified as needing investment. The shaded areas on the map highlight where grant funds can be utilized.

Support for ineligible businesses

True Access Capital is also providing support to businesses not located within the fund coverage area or are ineligible for the New Castle County Corridor Revitalization Fund for other reasons.

As a nonprofit community development financial institution, True Access Capital offers financial services, capital loans and technical assistance to small businesses in Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania that face difficulty obtaining loans from traditional banks. The organization specifically aims to assist businesses led by individuals from marginalized communities such as people of color and women and those located in low-income areas.

The organization provides a range of services, including micro-loans of up to $500,000, business planning, training, and counseling. The majority of the aid is offered at no cost.

You can contact reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: New Castle County's grant program to aid small businesses, nonprofits