OED Awards Small Business Grants, Announces More Funds

Lānaʻi from Wailea. Photo by Victoria Hoag.

By Maui Now Staff

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development has awarded $24,000 in Small Business Revitalization grants to businesses on Lānaʻi, and announced that applications are now being accepted to additionally fund businesses in Hāna and on Molokaʻi. The awards will range from $500 to $5,000 and do not apply to nonprofit organizations. 

The grants are designed for businesses with less than 10 employees who operate in Maui County’s rural communities, aiming to revitalize the areas hit hardest by the economic downturn of recent years.

Funds may be used toward new equipment, renovations, websites, marketing materials or other resources that will grow the business and create jobs. The grants are a 40-60 match–accepted applicants will be matched $60 for every $40 they contribute.

“Positive programs such as this have the ability to breathe some wind in our sales!” said Councilwoman Stacy Crivello. “For our existing businesses that can afford the match, this gives them an opportunity to leverage their funds.”

View the application and rules for the program online under “Grants & Awards.” For further information, call 242-5761 or email [email protected]. The deadline to apply for this round of funding is April 15, 2015.

OED awarded grants totaling $24,000 for the following businesses on Lānaʻi:

• Jason Allen of Spinning Dolphin Charters of Lānaʻi Inc. – $2,700
• Harvey Gaceta of Mo Betta Yard Service – $5,000
• Samuel Dimaya of Island Appliance Sales and Service, Inc. – $2,268
• Laurie A. Gomes-DeLima of LD Cleaning & Maintenance – $5,000
• Nancy Rajaei of Kumu ‘Ola Farm – $4,880
• Judi Riley of Happy Honu Maui & Lānaʻi – $4,151

Grant funding was made possible by a generous donation from Pulama Lānaʻi, in addition to the Maui County OED funding.