Grant Program to Help Businesses in Hāna, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi

The Hasegawa General Store in Hāna, Maui is among the small businesses that serve the rural East Maui community. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development announced a new grant assistance program designed to help small businesses in Hāna, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi, by providing 40/60 matching grants.

The “Small Business Revitalization” program provides $60 for every $40 contributed by grant recipients, with awards ranging from $500 to $5,000, county officials said.

“Hāna and Molokaʻi have been identified as the areas hardest hit in their ability to recover from the economic downturn of the past few years,” said Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa in a press release.

He continued, “Businesses on Lānaʻi now have a new set of opportunities with the island being under new ownership, but may not have the much-needed cash to ramp up their businesses. This program is innovative because it allows applicants in all of these rural areas to determine exactly what they need in their business, and gives them a great opportunity and low-cost way to make it happen.”

Grants can be used for new equipment, renovation, websites, marketing materials or other purposes to help the businesses grow, prosper and create jobs, county officials said.

County officials say grant recipients are selected by a representative from a bank in each community, along with a representative from both the OED and Lokahi Pacific, the organization selected to manage the program.

Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are eligible to apply. Non-profit entities are not eligible for the program.

Applications are due by September 10, 2013, and are available online.