The Moore County Chamber of Commerce is kicking off a $100,000 small business revitalization grant program that will award grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 this fall to small businesses and nonprofits in Moore County.

The Moore County Chamber recently received a $100,000 Small Business/Non-Profit Grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support small businesses and nonprofits in Moore County. 

“The Moore County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to partner with Duke Energy to offer opportunities for small businesses and nonprofits to prosper in an ever-changing business climate,” said Tom Boals, Chair of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, in a press release. “We appreciate the financial support that the Duke Energy Foundation is providing to the Chamber to help small businesses grow and thrive. We are excited to offer these grants to small businesses and nonprofits in Moore County.

“We also would like to thank Moore County Economic Development Partnership for being the fiscal agent for this grant on behalf of the Chamber,” Boals said in a press release.

Individual grants can be used by small businesses to:

• Enhance service or commerce opportunities by modifying physical space, acquiring technology to improve online sales, or expanding the capacity for delivery of goods or services.
• Support storefront beautification projects that enhance the appearance of the business and community (i.e., new exterior paint, awnings, signage, or planters).
• Implement tools or programs to support workforce needs (i.e., working with a recruiter, paying to list job opportunities, or paying tuition for training programs).
• Support marketing and promotion of the storefront.

Businesses and nonprofits do not have to be a member of the Chamber to participate. To be eligible for funding under the program, a Moore County small business must employ less than 100 employees and have a storefront presence in the County. Nonprofits that meet these requirements may also apply if they operate a storefront small business, like a resale store or a café. Government organizations and businesses that do not operate a storefront (i.e., offices) are not eligible for funding under this grant program. Ineligible expenses include payroll, incentive pay, rent, and utilities. These grant funds can be used to reimburse expenses previously incurred or projected to be expensed prior to December 31, 2023.

“As the backbone of our economy, small businesses account for nearly 70 percent of all businesses in Moore County,” said Linda Parsons, President and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, in a press release. “In addition, our community has a wide variety of diverse non-profits with storefronts that serve our community. These funds will go directly into the hands of a wonderful array of small businesses and nonprofits to provide them the resources to be more successful and continue to contribute to our local economy.”

The guidelines and application are currently available at www.moorecountychamber.com or at the Moore County Chamber of Commerce office located at 160 West New York Avenue, Southern Pines. Completed applications must be submitted by Aug. 31. A selection committee appointed by the Moore County Chamber of Commerce will review all completed applications and award announcements will be made no later than October 31, 2023, with funds disbursed by December 31, 2023.