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Council agrees to explore small‑business grant pilot with WeVenture and CRA advisory board

Melbourne City Council · October 28, 2025
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Summary

Council asked staff to work with the CRA advisory committee to evaluate a pilot small‑business grant/mentorship program, modeled on Cocoa’s partnership with WeVenture, to provide mentorship and modest forgivable grants for vetted local startups.

Council heard a city‑sponsored concept from Councilmember Marcus Smith to create a small‑business pilot that would provide mentorship and conditional grants or forgivable loans to startups and growing businesses, modeled on a Cocoa/WeVenture program.

Marcus Smith proposed a program that would pair financial incentives (suggested awards in the…

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