Grants available for technical assistance to help small businesses thrive

If your company specializes in marketing, business operations, or financial planning, you can apply to be a coach or consultant for Thrive, a Fairfax County program aimed at helping small businesses grow and flourish.

The Board of Supervisors allocated $7 million from the county’s share of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund the Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program. 

The program will provide technical assistance valued up to $10,000 to help approximately 600 businesses build their capacity and achieve their goals.

Coaches will help businesses determine and prioritize their needs and will connect businesses with consultants who will provide technical assistance.

Technical assistance could focus on digital marketing and brand development, financial planning, real estate assistance, human resources, online sales, websites, or related issues.

Applications are due Aug. 4. The county is hosting webinars on July 6 on consulting and July 7 for prospective coaches. The webinars will be recorded and posted online. Applications are administered by the Latino Economic Development Corporation. Grant recipients will be selected in early fall.

The application period for businesses to receive services under Thrive will open in mid-fall.