LegalZoom Grants and Free Services - Fast Break for women-owned businesses - LegalZoom has partnered with  the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League, to support small businesses with $6 million in grants and services.  As the WNBA season tips off, applications for $10,000 grants and free LegalZoom services are now open! Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 27, 2022.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Explore York Tourism Grant Program OPENS JUNE 1. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Explore York Lunch & Learn - Tourism Grant Program Informational Webinar - June 9th at 12pm

Join Explore York for a virtual Lunch & Learn about the York County Tourism Grant Program. You provide the lunch, they provide the learning! They will discuss the following topics: Program background and purpose, Application Tips, Destination Brand Integration, and How and when to apply. Questions? Email elizabeth@yorkpa.org

To register, CLICK HERE.

IFundWomen's annual fund was started to honor women and their small businesses through monetary support and business guidance. This year, the organization’s Entrepreneur of the Year will receive a $100,000 equity investment, plus access to educational resources and other cash grants. Applicants are due June 8!

For more information, CLICK HERE.

U.S. Chamber's Dream Big Awards - Applications are now open for the US Chamber of Commerce’s Dream Big Awards 2022. The Dream Big Awards is an annual program that recognizes the achievements of small businesses across America that have contributed to the country’s economic growth. This year, the winner will be announced at The Big Week for Small Business and receive a $25,000 cash prize. Eligibility criteria are outlined in the grant announcement and applicants have until Friday, July 8, to submit materials.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Fearless Strivers Grant - Mastercard and Fearless Fund are partnering to create the Fearless Strivers Grant, dedicated to supporting Black women-owned small businesses. According to their website, Black women-owned businesses receive less than 1% of venture capital funding, despite the fact that these businesses are large parts of economic growth. To give back to these businesses, the Fearless Strivers Grant will provide eleven small businesses with $10,000 grants, one-on-one mentorship and digital tools to help foster growth. Applications are open through the end of the year, closing on December 31, 2022.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant - This grant gives Black women or non-binary entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 in a cash grant. SoGal has partnered with several sponsors to create this grant in order to promote and support Black women and those identifying as non-binary having equal opportunities to capital for their small businesses. To apply, you should have a legally-registered business, self-identify as a Black woman or nonbinary entrepreneur, and plan to seek financing now or in the future. This deadline is rolling, so the sooner you apply, the better!

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Women Founders Network - The Fast Pitch competition has helped early-stage women-led businesses craft their stories, messages, monetization plans, legal structure and more. The individualized attention received by finalists allows these women entrepreneurs to become pitch-ready. Finalists will have to make a presentation to the grant program on October 25.. Fast Pitch applications will be accepted through June 1, 2022. Please review the guidelines before applying

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Job Creators Quest Grant - An initiative from Founders First Community Development Corporation to provide grants to for profit small businesses with annual revenues between $100K and $3 million across New Jersey and Pennsylvania with additional support from an accelerator program. The application deadline is June 13, 2022, at 5:00pm EST. Review the guidelines before applying.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Through a suite of services, the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center will include opportunities for loans for small businesses. Contact our team with the inquiry form to set up a meeting and learn more! Visit YCEApa.org/Bloom

ICYMI - May 11 York Hiring Fair

The York County Economic Alliance, in partnership with the York Revs and SportsRadio 98.9 held the York Hiring Fair on Wednesday, May 11th at PeoplesBank Park, 5 Brooks Robinson Way York, PA 17401.

To view the program with the list of employers and positions they are hiring for, CLICK HERE.

The next York Hiring Fair will be on Thursday, July 14

To register as a job seeker, CLICK HERE

The mission of Welcoming Workplaces is to drive opportunities to support the diversity of talent in the workplace and advance shared prosperity based on four strategic focus areas:

• Talent Attraction
• Talent Retention
• Policies and Procedures
• Knowledge Sharing

Economics Club Breakfast: The Impact of Destination Marketing - Wednesday, May 25 | 7:15am-8:30am

Register for our May Economics Club Breakfast, when we'll learn about the impact of destination marketing from Explore York President Laura Gurreri. Join us to learn about the importance of tourism as an economic driver in the county, and what a destination marketing organization does. Gurreri will share about the current initiatives Explore York is implementing to grow the local tourism industry, including the county brand "Have It Made Here," as well as data that shows where our visitors are coming from and what they're doing and spending while they're here.

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE

Drive Demand with Your Marketing Communications Plan - Thursday, May 26 | 10:00am-11:00am

In this second session of our two-part Planning for Growth strategic marketing series, communications and media expert Erika Berlin reveals how to create a data-driven communications plan to drive awareness and engagement with customers. Following up from the first session, Erika discusses how to develop an effective communications strategy from the strategic marketing plan.

Attendance at the first session is NOT required for attendance at this session. CLICK HERE to view information about the first session, “Plan for Growth with Your Strategic Marketing Plan” on May 5th, 2022.

To learn more and to register, CLICK HERE

BLOOM Business Series: Small Business Social Media & Website 101 - Wednesday, June 15th at 8:30am via Zoom

Join us VIRTUALLY on June 15, 2022 from 8:30-9:30 am for our BLOOM Business Series webinar. Our Downtown Inc team will present a session on social media and website 101 for small businesses.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, PNC for making this series possible! BLOOM Business Series events are FREE to attend and open to the public, though RSVPs are required.

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE

Women’s Business Center Organization (WBCO) June Networking Event

Be sure to register for the June Summer Networking Luncheon sponsored by Univest where we will hear a brief presentation by Meghan Sinisi, Miss PA 2021, followed by networking with WBCO members, guests, and candidates for Miss PA 2022. 
 
We will meet at Heritage Hills Resort (2700 Mt. Rose Avenue, York, PA 17402) for this luncheon Friday, June 17 in the Windows Ballroom. Registration, networking, and lunch will begin at 11:30am with the program running from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. 
 
Members can register for the luncheon at no cost. Guests can attend for $35.

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE

Comcast RISE

Comcast RISE, is a program developed by Comcast to provide free services to Small businesses owned by people of color and women. Businesses can apply to receive one or more services in the areas of consulting, technology, marketing and more. The deadline to apply is June 17, 2022.

To learn more, CLICK HERE

Our team along with ambassadors and volunteers spent the day in Dillsburg Borough visiting small businesses and sharing resources of the York County Economic Alliance and BLOOM Empowerment Center. Later that day, we hosted a regional entrepreneurial meet up, Keystone Merge, at Katapult Labs.

Join us for the next Keystone Merge on June 2 in Harrisburg!
To learn more, CLICK HERE