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Cypress University 'Level Up' program awards $2,000 grants to 32 local businesses
Summary
The city presented the inaugural graduates of the Level Up digital marketing program, part of Cypress University; each participating business received a $2,000 grant to support online marketing efforts.
Cypress City recognized the first graduates of its Level Up digital marketing program on Feb. 10 and presented plaques and photographs to participating businesses.
Planning Director Alicia Velasco told the council the program is part of a larger Cypress University economic-development initiative developed with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center. “The Level Up Program provided support and strategies to the city's small businesses so that they could enhance their online presence,” Velasco said. She described course content including website optimization, social media marketing, paid online advertising and digital tools to attract customers.
Velasco said 32 Cypress businesses completed the inaugural class and that each received a $2,000 grant upon completion to bolster new online campaigns. Several businesses attended the meeting to receive plaques and photos at the dais; those named on the record included His Kingdom Insurance and Services, Modern Seller, Senior Big Ed, Squad Marks, The Cut Off Barber Shop, US Metro Group and Baskin Robbins.
Mayor Burke and council members joined city staff for recognition photos. Velasco said the city will continue to provide follow-up support through the Small Business Development Center.
Why it matters
The program and the immediate $2,000 grants are intended to help small, local businesses expand digital marketing capacity and bring new customers to Cypress business corridors. The city described the effort as part of a broader, multi-pronged economic-development strategy called Cypress University.
