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BBDA plans Part F small‑business grant rollout with scoring tweaks and outreach
Summary
Staff outlined changes to the Part F small‑business grant (up to $10,000 reimbursement) including optional credit reports, reduced weighting for years in business, an Aug. 31 press kickoff and Oct. 1 application opening; board members debated financial vetting and scoring fairness.
Jerry Mathis, the authority’s senior business development representative, briefed the board on Part F of the EDIP program — a small‑business grant targeting women‑, minority‑ and veteran‑owned microbusinesses (fewer than 25 employees) with awards up to $10,000 on a reimbursement basis. Mathis said the program intends to reduce barriers for underserved businesses by proposing some scoring changes (including making credit reports optional and reconsidering how years‑in‑business are counted) and by scheduling outreach: a press release Aug. 31, eight pre‑application workshops in September, and application window Oct. 1–Oct. 30.
"This grant launched in 2024... Part F seeks to provide grants to qualifying businesses in the amount of up to $10,000 in reimbursable funds to small women owned, minority owned, veteran owned, or service disabled veteran owned businesses," Mathis said while outlining eligibility, permitted uses and selection criteria. Commissioners asked for clarification on why credit reports would become optional and voiced concern about ensuring adequate financial vetting; staff and several commissioners agreed to keep a credit check in the packet while removing double‑counting of years‑in‑business points. Staff will proceed with the outreach and application schedule and return any suggested policy changes to counsel for approval before future cycles.
