Council approves $80,000 to expand Cypress University NextUp business grants to 32 recipients
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Summary
Council voted unanimously to appropriate an additional $80,000 to the NextUp Business Growth program (Cypress University), enabling all 32 qualified applicants to receive a $10,000 grant and six weeks of business training. Program eligibility limits awards to local small businesses with 2–100 employees.
The City Council unanimously approved a request to allocate an additional $80,000 to expand the NextUp Business Growth program run under the Cypress University initiative, enabling all 32 eligible applicants to participate and receive $10,000 grants.
Christopher Wong, the city’s business development manager, summarized the program: the city previously allocated $325,000 to Cypress University, with $240,000 earmarked for the NextUp program to fund grants for 24 businesses; the city received 55 applications and 32 eligible applicants, exceeding expectations. The NextUp program offers six weeks of business training and a $10,000 grant to graduates; staff requested an additional $80,000 from general fund economic development set‑asides to cover all 32 qualified businesses. (Christopher Wong, Business Development Manager.)
Councilmember Pete asked whether larger companies such as Costco or Amazon could receive funds; staff said eligibility requires a physical location in the city and between two and 100 employees, narrowing the awards to small local businesses. Councilmembers approved the appropriation unanimously. (Councilmember Pete; Christopher Wong.)
Why it matters: the expanded funding allows more small local businesses to receive training and capital support aimed at improving digital marketing, workforce development and customer acquisition at a time the city is prioritizing economic development.
What’s next: staff will enroll the 32 qualified businesses in the six‑week program and administer the $10,000 grants upon completion.
