The Lakewood Small Business Academy is a grant program designed to provide incentives for start-ups and existing businesses to complete preselected course work aimed at creating healthy entrepreneurial Lakewood-based businesses.
As an incentive for completing course work, Lakewood will
reimburse licensed small businesses in the start-up stage up to $500, in the growth stage of business up to $2,500 and businesses in the expansion stage of business up to $10,000 upon completion of five preselected and approved Business Academy credit hours.
The Small Business Academy is limited to business owners
having fewer than 50 employees. The business must operate
within the legal limits of the city of Lakewood, be a Lakewood-based business, and have a valid Lakewood Sales/Use Tax license.
ELIGIBILITY & PROCESS
• Prospective business owners must set up a preconsultation
with a Lakewood Economic Development Specialist and select five credit classes of course work.
• Prospective applicants must submit their chosen course work and a paragraph outlining the proposed use of the grant in the application.
• Applicants must have a valid Lakewood Sales/Use Tax license and be a Lakewood-based business.
• When relevant, applicants must use a Lakewood-based company for services rendered.
GRANT CRITERIA
• Applicants must provide a business plan or an outline of their business plan to apply and to receive grant funds.
• Applicants must earn five previously approved credits and have an approved application on file.
• Applicants must provide signatures from course work instructors and receipts from all course work that required payment.
• Applicants must have met with Lakewood's Sustainability Coordinator to learn about ways to maximize their environmental and economic sustainability.
Potential Course Providers:
Lakewood Economic Development does not specify which courses you should take. We feel that you know your business best and know which courses suit your needs best. However, we offer the following suggestions to get you started:
Colorado Small Business Development Center Seminars
Jefferson County Business Resource Center consultation
SCORE Seminars
SCORE Consultations with a mentor
Business Education Series Training
Crime Prevention Training with Lakewood Police (CPTED)
Your Industry Trade Group
|
