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Chamber News

The latest from the Chamber, our members, and Jefferson County

Chamber AnnouncementChamber News

Small Business Grants Available!

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce announces the CDBG Small Business Micro-Grant Program for new or early-stage businesses located in Steubenville’s low-moderate-income demographic areas. Funds, ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 per business, will assist with start-up costs, thus contributing to their initial success and continued revitalization of our community.

The City of Steubenville’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provided funding to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce to develop and maintain viable urban communities by providing economic development opportunities. CDBG funding must meet the national objective to benefit the low-moderate-income demographic, including business retention activities.

A Microenterprise Business is defined as a commercial enterprise that has at least one but not more than five (5) employees, including the owner(s). one or more of which is the principal and owns the enterprise at the time of application. This includes both part-time and full-time employees. A Microenterprise Business is a private for-profit business entity; corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship that is legal, licensed, and is operating in the City of Steubenville.

Program Overview:

Grant awards will be between $2,500 to $7,500 for qualifying for-profit small businesses. The business must be located in a qualifying low-to-moderate service area within the City of Steubenville. New and newly established is defined as businesses opened for business within the last 12 months or planning to open within 6 months of application.  The Business must also sell products or services to residents of Steubenville’s low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. 

Eligible Uses of Funds:
  • Inventory
  • Procurement of machinery, furniture, and equipment, excluding fixtures, construction equipment and vehicles.
  • Working/Operating capital (not to include interest or finance charges)
  • Defined working/operating capital – Utilities, rent (utilities and rent in non-residential buildings only), business services (accounting, IT, website development)
  • Preparation of architectural/engineering plans/specifications and related plan review fees for interior or exterior improvements to non-residential buildings provided such improvements are specifically identified as “Exempt Activities” in the City’s Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office (OHPO).   This does not include construction costs. 
Ineligible or Restricted Uses of Funds:
  • The repayment of existing debt
  • Employee/owner payroll taxes
  • Reimbursement of costs incurred prior to loan/grant award
  • Reimbursement for interest charges or finance changes of any kind with no exceptions
  • Political or religious activities
  • Lobbying any governmental entity
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Business must be located in a qualifying Low-to-Moderate service area within the City of Steubenville, as determined by census tract data. Link to map.
  • Business must sell products or services to residents of the Low-Moderate Income area.
  • Business must be locally owned and non-franchised
  • Business must not have more than five (5) employees, including the owner(s)
  • A newly established business is defined as opening from January 1, 2022, through the present day
  • Applicant must have the required local, State and Federal licenses, permits, or registrations to operate their business within the City of Steubenville.
  • No applications will be considered if the current business or entity is in arrears for City taxes or has any other outstanding liens or judgements.
  • All grant awardees will be required to enter into a CDBG Grant Agreement with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce prior to issuance of grant funds.
  • Grant funds not meeting HUD criteria, will need to be repaid to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce
  • Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis
  • Only complete applications will be processed.
How To Apply:
  • Submit the form below
  • Eligible business may apply
  • Qualifying businesses selected to receive grants will be contacted with a request to submit additional documentation prior to issuance of grant award.
Application and Review Process:
  • Applications will be reviewed by a committee of business peers selected by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
  • If the applicant is unable to complete the application, it will be denied.
Contact for More Information:

Please contact Kate Sedgmer at kate@jeffersoncountychamber.com for more information.

MicroEnterprise Grant Application

General Information:

Applicant Name(Required)
Address(Required)
What is your businesses' organizational structure?(Required)

Ownership & Management Structure

List all proprietors, partners, and/or stockholders with at least 20% ownership in the business:
Add lines as necessary.

Project Budget & Financial Information

Please check all scopes of the project that apply:(Required)

Please include individual expenses and total project cost.
Does the owner/s have at least 10% CASH equity contribution to the project?(Required)

Description

Does the business owner reside within Steubenville?(Required)
Do you attest that you have obtained or applied for all local, state and federal licenses, permits, and registrations to operate?(Required)
Is your business registered with the State of Ohio?(Required)

Documentation Requirements

Drop files here or
Max. file size: 16 MB.
    1. A business plan/narrative including budget and timeframe of the activities. 2. Include a list of all financial backing for the project. (Loans/Investors/etc.) 3. A copy of all local state, and federal licenses.

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    Chamber News

    Juneteenth Community Celebration

    On June 19, 1865, the Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved people were now free.

    The day became known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, the oldest African-American holiday. In June 2021, this day, Juneteenth or Freedom Day, was designated a Federal Holiday – Juneteenth National Independence Day – a time to honor African-American heritage, but also an occasion to revel and reflect on the principles upon which this great nation was founded.

    Second Baptist ChurchSteubenville City SchoolsTrinity Health System, and the Old Fort Steuben have joined forces to hold a Four Day Celebration to commemorate Juneteenth in the City of Steubenville. There will be entertainment, food vendors, games and activities for children, health screenings, special performances by students of SCS and Sycamore Center, featured performances by Angela Primm (ordained minister and renowned gospel artist), commercial venders, special guest speakers’ music, and much more. THERE WILL BE FUN FOR ALL!

    JOIN THE FESTIVITIES

    Second Baptist Church Juneteenth Festival
    (South Eighth Street)
    Friday, June 17th, and Saturday, June 18th
    11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Harding Stadium – Rejoice and Celebrate
    Sunday, June 19th
    2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Old Fort Steuben – Reflect and Celebrate
    Monday, June 20th
    1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Download Juneteenth Flyer >

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    Chamber News

    Office Space Available

    Are you an entrepreneur or small business in need of office space? Are you a writer or remote worker who needs to get out of the house to better concentrate on your goals and projects?

    The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce might have the answer to your needs. We have two offices available for rent at our 630 Market Street headquarters.

    If you’re looking for privacy and quiet in which to conduct your business, then this is the place for you.

    Inquire About Office Space >

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    Chamber NewsUncategorized

    Office Space Available

    Are you an entrepreneur or small business in need of office space? Are you a writer or remote worker who needs to get out of the house to better concentrate on your goals and projects?

    The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce might have the answer to your needs. We have two offices available for rent at our 630 Market Street headquarters.

    If you’re looking for privacy and quiet in which to conduct your business, then this is the place for you.

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    Chamber News

    A Message from the Chamber President

    As you may already know, I will be leaving the Chamber at the end of 2021, after seven years in this role. It will be a bittersweet departure, but it’s time to move on and re-focus on my own businesses and projects, which have taken a backseat for a long time.

    I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Chamber – the incredible people I have gotten to know, the relationships that were sparked or strengthened, and the work that we have done together. The challenges and successes I have shared with so many of you, especially in the past couple of years, have left me very humbled and inspired by our local business community. And I’m prouder than ever before to call Jefferson County my home and to own a business here.

    I thank you all for the great memories I’ll take with me and I look forward to continuing our work in making the area better and stronger.

    Remember that there’s still time to get tickets for next Wednesday’s 113th Annual Awards Dinner & Meeting at St. Florian Hall. Come out for great food and drink, exciting speakers and an evening celebrating our members and their importance to the local business community.

    Sincerely,

    Tricia Maple-Damewood
    President

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    Chamber News

    The Day That Changed America Forever

    Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, when the United States experienced the deadliest terrorist attack in its history.

    The Chamber pauses this weekend to remember and honor the victims of that day, the first responders, the families who lost loved ones, and the members of our military who fought and died in the ensuing wars on terror.

    May we forever cherish our freedoms and our heritage, and may we strive to live in peace and unity with our neighbors at home and abroad.

    “For me and my family personally, September 11 was a reminder that life is fleeting, impermanent, and uncertain. Therefore, we must make use of every moment and nurture it with affection, tenderness, beauty, creativity, and laughter.” — Deepak Chopra

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    Chamber News

    Golf, Annual Dinner, Coffee & Connections Returns!

    As the Chamber works toward getting back to its “normal”, yet safe, schedule of events, please mark your calendars now for our two biggest ones of the year. The Annual Golf Classic will be held on Tuesday, May 18th, at the Steubenville Country Club with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. And The 113th Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner is set for Wednesday, October 20th, at St. Florian Event Center. Please watch the weekly In The Know for details as these get closer.

    Also, Coffee & Connections, virtual style, will be held on Wednesday, February 10th at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. You will receive an invitation soon with all of the details. In the meantime, get your one-minute elevator speech ready – yes, you can still get gonged – and we’ll have some fun contests and changes as well.

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