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Visit www.cobbcounty.org/econdev for more information on business resources available from the Cobb County Economic Development Office.

Entrepreneurship Grant Guidelines

PURPOSE:

To stimulate early-stage venture growth and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cobb County.
The Entrepreneurship Grant provides financial support to startups and entrepreneurs to assist them in growing their business, creating jobs, and maintaining their business in Cobb County.

PROGRAM DISCLOSURE: Program details as listed are not comprehensive. Contact the Economic Development Office for more information.

ELIGIBILITY:

1. Business must be in Cobb County.
2. Business must not be in operation for over 7 years.
3. Must possess a current Cobb County business license or a business license from a City within Cobb.
4. Provide proof of participation/completion of an entrepreneurial program within the last 5 years. (i.e., KSU Small Business Development Center, Women’s Entrepreneur Initiative, etc.)
5. Commit to remain in Cobb County for a minimum of 3 years post grant award
6. Must not have any outstanding tax, fees, or fines to Cobb County

Additional eligibilty requirements may apply

USE OF FUNDS:

• Marketing
• Equipment, furnishings, machinery, or technology
• Operational funds to include lease payments and job retention
• Leasehold improvements and/or building renovations

INELIGIBLE USE OF FUNDS:

• Home based businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Franchises
• Businesses engaged in the sale of alcohol or adult entertainment are ineligible to receive funds.
• Lending, investments, and/or other grants or scholarships

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:

• Grant amount up to $10,000
• Optional one-on-one application review
• Application accepted on an open cycle until funds are depleted
• Application reviewed by stakeholder committee
• All grants must be approved by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners
• Grant recipients must maintain a record of how funds are allocated and adhere to a 6-month compliance review period to demonstrate use of funds

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Completed Application with all required attachments
• Proof of participation or certificate from Entrepreneurial Program
• If awarded, signed Incentive Agreement

Franchises, home-based businesses, and businesses who sell alcohol are ineligible to receive grant funds.

Cobb County Government employees and their families are ineligible to receive grant funds.

*Please provide strong financial and in-depth narratives for use(s) of grant funds in Section E. Priority will be given to applicants demonstrating a clear need for grant funds to grow their business, hire additional staff, grow the commercial tax base, and/or create a significant social impact in the County.

For start-ups or existing businesses, a market analysis is important as the basis for the marketing plan and to help justify the sales forecast. Existing businesses will rely heavily on past performance as an indicator of the future. Start-ups have a greater challenge; they will rely more on market research using libraries, trade associations, government statistics, surveys, competitor observation, etc. In all cases, make sure your market analysis is relevant to establishing the viability of the business, as well as the sales forecast.

Upload your detailed marketing plan below.

The basic components of a Marketing Plan are:

• What are you selling? (How broad is your product line, what new products will you introduce?)
• Identify your ideal target market/customers.
• How will you reach your Target Markets? (How will you develop your product, what is your pricing strategy,where will your product be available and what are your promotional strategies?)
• What is the timeline for implementation of the marketing plan?
• Who is your competition and how will you compete?

Explain how you will maximize the grant funds to benefit your business and provide an itemized list of costs.