Downtown Community Improvement District opens second round of grants for minority-owned businesses

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Downtown Community Improvement District is opening it's second round of minority-owned business grants.

The grant was created in 2020 and was approved in 2021. CID Executive Director Nickie Davis said the goal was to "increase the viability, visibility and growth of each awardee's business."

"We have a glaring problem in the district of a lack of minority-owned businesses, specifically black-owned businesses," Davis said. "But it's a way for us to acknowledge the issues, and try as much as we can to encourage that growth and bring back that diversity to our downtown area."

Awardee's can earn up to $5,000 if they are accepted. Requirement include:

• Business must be 51% or more owned by a Columbia resident who is African-American, non-white Hispanic, Native American, Asian Pacific or Asian Indian.
• Client under five years in business must have or create a feasible business plan with at least one-year financial projections for business to be located or currently located in the District. Mentors are available to assist with business plan creation.  
• Client over five years in business must be locating or currently located in the District. Mentors are available to assist if needed.
• Clients must pitch their business and what they plan to do with the funds.
• At the time of the award, Clients must have signed a lease in the District. Businesses are eligible up to six months from date of lease start to apply.

First-round grant award winners include: Crowned Counseling, Play College Golf, Fluid Bodywork and Typsy Treats.

Fluid Bodywork -- a massage therapy clinic owned by Vernon White -- was a first-round recipient of the grant. He said he appreciates the help it gave him.

"The first month of me starting the business to really help with those start up costs, like being able to have a little cushion while I build up having a, you know, a steady clientele," White said.

The money also helped cover his first month's rent.

White said representation in the community means a lot to him.

"When you look at the area, like the district or something, and you start seeing other faces that look like you working there, you get a sense of, 'maybe I do belong,'" he said.

Typsy Treats owners, Mykene Powell and Lavonna Davenport, were also first-time award winners. However, Powell and Davenport weren't able to collect the funds because they were unable to obtain a location in the Downtown area within six months.

"It's a good idea, but if you can't use the money anyways, then it's kind of like, you know, it doesn't really benefit anybody." Davenport said.

Powell still thinks the idea is great.

"It gives a lot of minorities who may have never thought it was possible to actually begin a business the motivation, and the resources to get started," he said.

Davis said Powell and Davenport, and any other winner, or applicant who doesn't receive the funds during this round, can re-apply during the next one.