Downtown Hanover BLOOM Grant Closes TODAY!

Apply Today! For more information and to apply, 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 - York Hiring Fair held in September!

Over 50 companies attended the York Hiring Fair on September 15 with hundreds of career opportunities! If you missed the event, review the program to connect directly with the participating companies!

To view the program, 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

WBCO October Luncheon - 10/11 @ 11:30 am

Be sure to register for the October Luncheon, Tuesday, October 11 featuring a panel with “Women in YoCo Industry”.

Our guest speakers will be:

• Sandy Bialek, CEO, Fat Bat Brewing
• Dee Dee Fultz, General Manager, Harley-Davidson
• Sara Parrish, President, CampusDoor

Join us at Heritage Hills Resort (2700 Mt. Rose Avenue, York, PA 17402) for this luncheon. Registration, networking, and lunch will begin at 11:30am with the program running from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. 

To register to attend, CLICK HERE.

BLOOM Business Series: "Certifications for Government Contracts" - Wednesday, October 19 at 8:30 am via Zoom

This month's topic is government certifications - which ones might be right for your business, and the process for applying. Check back soon for details, including speaker info.

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.

Penn State York Launchbox: Get your Local Business on Google Search and Maps - October 4 - 12 pm to 1 pm

Do you want your business to be found online? Do you need to figure out how to manage your business on Google Search and Maps? Do you work out of your home and want to hide your address? This session can answer those questions and more.

Participants will hear about the importance of using the Google Business Profile effectively. This is a free profile for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps.

To register, CLICK HERE.

Susquehanna SCORE Virtual Small Business Networking Roundtable

Discussion group of business owners facilitated by a Certified SCORE mentor. Business owners and startups can share their business challenges and opportunities with one another. Topics range from basic business to marketing ideas.

There is no cost to join, but register using the links below:

• October 4 at 8:00am
• October 11 at 12:00pm
• October 18 at 3:30pm
• October 25 at 6:00pm

YCAL Career Exploration Programs

York County Alliance for Learning has launched the application for their On Site Career Exploration Programs, connecting students to businesses in any of the sixteen career clusters.

Students and families can review the program and application details 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.

Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Program - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and FedEx have teamed up to create the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Program, which helps small businesses put plans in place to prepare for disaster and provides immediate emergency funding when necessary. Grants will be distributed between now and June 2023.

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.

Amazon Business Small Business Grant Program - This grant program, offered by Amazon, will offer more than $250,000 in grants to select small businesses that are existing business customers in addition to receiving training in web services and much more. Applications are due by September 30, 2022.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

WellnessLiving #StandwithStudios Grant Program was created to support boutique fitness and wellness businesses with the resources they need to take their business to the next level and continue to positively impact their communities. Grant resources include: $2,500 – $5,000 in funding per studio, Photo shoot and feature article, and Coaching sessions with an industry expert among other benefits. The last day to submit an application is December 15, 2022. 

For more information, CLICK HERE.

First Strides Grant Program for Women Owned Businesses - Ten recipients of the First Strides Grant will receive a $10,000 grant and one year of coaching services through IFundWomen. The application is open now until December 31. 

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Fresh Start Business Grant - For start up entrepreneurs, microgrants up to $2,500. There are two deadlines: September 30 and December 31.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

BLOOM Launches Inaugural Business Class in Spanish

Over 40 participants joined us for the first ever round of BLOOM Small Business Start Up classes entirely in Spanish, sponsored by Fulton Bank, with each participant having a goal of one day opening their own businesses within our York community and beyond.

Throughout the course, they connected with accountants, attorneys, business consultants and much more.

To read more about the course with the story from ABC 27, CLICK HERE.