This Southern City Gets $100K Grant to Expand Opportunities For Women

What began in 2013 as a program to help low-income citizens is now focusing on growing small, women- and minority-owned businesses. The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, has received a grant of up to $100,000 from City Accelerator to expand economic opportunities for all citizens, especially businesses owned by women and other minorities.

The City Accelerator is an initiative of Living Cities and the Citi Foundation, non-profits supported by foundations and financial institutions. The organization works with several cities at a time to help support innovations that will have a significant impact in the lives of residents. Grants are a significant part of the organization's program. Charlotte was chosen as one of those cities to receive a $100K grant.

How the grant will help women

The grant will help Charlotte increase the diversity of vendors and contractors and spend more on supporting women and minority-owned businesses. Increasing diversity among small businesses will help to improve the city's economics. Mayor Jennifer Roberts stated, "The expertise and funding from City Accelerator will help us grow our small, women- and minority-owned businesses.”

Charlotte is one of five cities chosen to participate in the program. Other cities selected included Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis and Milwaukee.

Read more by visiting www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/06/30/city-receiving-100k-grant-resources-to-address.html