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City rolls out small‑business resource guide and announces $30,000 Duke Energy grant to award local businesses
Summary
Council and staff described a new Small Business Community Resource Guide on the city website, plans for a permit portal, the Mason Small Business Community Impact Award (nominations due Aug. 1) and a $30,000 Duke Energy grant the city will distribute to qualifying small businesses.
City staff and the small-business committee updated council on July 14 about several small-business initiatives: a Small Business Community Resource Guide posted on the city website, a new permits portal in development, the Mason Small Business Community Impact Award (nominations due Aug. 1), and a recently awarded $30,000 Duke Energy grant to distribute to qualifying local businesses.
Assistant City Manager Jennifer Heff demonstrated how the resource guide appears on the city website and emphasized that property owners and prospective business operators should contact the city planner, Jordy Bacon, for zoning and initial guidance. The guide includes flow charts explaining planning and zoning processes, checklists on move-in-ready facilities versus renovation, links to Warren County Small Business Development Center and the Mason Deerfield Chamber/MAID CDC, and highlights city promotional programs such as Come Together Mason e-gift cards and event promotional opportunities.
Permit portal and outreach: Staff said a new permit portal is live in development and will host the small-business resource guide and may include question-answer prompts to guide applicants on zoning, sign permits and event requirements.
Duke Energy grant and impact award: Council members and staff announced Mason was selected for a $30,000 Duke Energy grant that will be distributed to small businesses via an application process to be judged by an independent selection committee; staff said more details about eligibility and application timing will be provided later. Staff also reminded the public the Small Business Community Impact Award nomination deadline is Aug. 1.
Why it matters: The initiatives aim to streamline startup and expansion for local small businesses, promote downtown activity and deliver direct financial support through the Duke Energy grant program.
Next steps: Staff will publish application details for the grant when available, post the resource guide in the permit portal and promote the community impact award and nomination process ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline.
