The city of Jacksonville has launched a new set of programs offering financial assistance for small businesses in Duval County.
The city’s Small Business Capital Access Programs provide support ranging from microgrants of $500 to low-interest loans of up to to $50,000 for qualified businesses.
The city Office of Economic Development announced the programs Aug. 13. They will be administered by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a national community development organization with an office in Jacksonville.
Duval County is home to 66,000 small businesses, of which nearly 18,000 employ 100 people or fewer, the city said in a news release.
The programs include:
• Small Business Micro-Grant Funding Initiative, which supplies grants from $500 to $1,000.
• Small Business Low-Interest Loan Funding, which offers tiered loans from $1,000 to $50,000.
• Veterans Entrepreneurship Funding: Grants of up to $2,000 for veteran-operated businesses.
• Jacksonville Small & Emerging Business (JSEB) Funding, providing grants of $1,000 to $5,000 and tiered loans from $5,000 to $50,000.
City Council approved $1 million for the programs in the 2023-24 budget. The funding was part of the tax force budget recommended by Mayor Donna Deegan’s transition committees.
For eligibility and qualification details, contact LISC at 904-353-1300 or the Jacksonville Small & Emerging Business office at 904-255-8620.