Small Business Grant

The 2026 Small Business Grant is a competitive funding opportunity aimed at supporting small, locally owned, for-profit businesses operating within Columbia, Missouri. Funded by the City of Columbia and administered by Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), this program is designed to promote sustainable economic development and community impact, with an emphasis on assisting businesses located in economically disadvantaged census tracts. The program explicitly excludes franchises, sole proprietors not registered with the Missouri Secretary of State, and previous recipients of REDI's 2024 Minority Business Grant or the 2025 Small Business Grant. The total available funding for 2026 includes eight awards: six grants of $5,000 and two grants of $10,000. Businesses will be evaluated through a three-phase application process. Phase One involves eligibility screening, which includes verification of business registration with the State of Missouri, a Columbia business license (if applicable), having ten or fewer full-time employees, gross sales under $250,000 in the last 12 months, a business bank account, and a willingness to work with a REDI business coach. Successful applicants from Phase One advance to Phase Two, where they submit a detailed written application for review. In Phase Two, applicants are evaluated based on eight key criteria, including business background, mission and vision, community impact, product or service offerings, key team roles, marketing strategy, use of funds, and expected outcomes. The application is scored out of 100 points, with an additional 15 preference points available to those residing in designated economically disadvantaged census tracts. The top 12 scoring applicants will then proceed to Phase Three. Phase Three consists of a 30-minute interview—either in-person or virtual—with a panel of judges. This interview is scored out of 75 points based on business background, competitive edge, community impact, fiscal systems, anticipated challenges, and applicant reflections. Final awards are determined based on the combined Phase Two and Phase Three scores (maximum 175 points). The two highest scoring applicants receive $10,000 grants, and the next six receive $5,000 each. Applications for Phase One will open on April 3, 2026, at 9:00 AM and close on April 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Notifications of eligibility will be sent by April 16, 2026. Phase Two will open on April 20 and close on May 6, 2026. Phase Three interviews are scheduled for May 25–27, 2026. Final notifications will be sent on May 29, 2026, with a required grant winner orientation on June 1, 2026, followed by an award distribution luncheon on June 12, 2026. Grant recipients will engage in monthly check-ins with REDI coaches, submit receipts for all expenditures, and complete a final impact report. Grant funds cannot be used for salaries, debt repayment, or past expenses. Extensions of 30, 60, or 90 days can be requested if funds remain unspent within 90 days post-award. Questions may be directed to [email protected] or [email protected]. The administrative office is located at 500 East Walnut Street, Suite 102, Columbia, MO 65201.

Emphasize community impact and strategic use of funds; align answers to scoring rubric and census tract priorities.