Month: August 2020

State of Delaware, New Castle County Launch $100M Grant Program for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Statewide

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business on Wednesday announced grant program of at least $100 million to assist Delaware small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

The DE Relief Grants program announced on Wednesday is a joint initiative of the State of Delaware and New Castle County, and is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The program is expected to reach more than 3,000 small businesses and nonprofit organizations with grants of up to $100,000. The Division of Small Business is administering the program and will begin accepting applications in early September at delbiz.com/relief.

“Delaware small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they have made considerable sacrifices during the COVID-19 crisis. We owe them our gratitude and support,” said Governor Carney. “These relief grants will help Delaware small businesses begin the process of recovering and will help make investments necessary to create safer spaces for their customers and staff.”

“Small businesses and nonprofits are facing expensive costs as they retrofit their workplaces,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “We’re pleased to be able to join with the State of Delaware in supporting this important program.”

DE Relief Grants can be used for:

  • Purchasing equipment to make a workplace suitable for COVID-19 safety (such as PPE, plexiglass, air purifiers, etc.)
  • Refinancing of debt incurred due to COVID-19 (including State of Delaware HELP loans)
  • Advertising efforts undertaken as a result of COVID-19
  • Fixed expenses the applicant accrued during COVID-19

“I’ve seen small businesses across Delaware do some amazing things to adapt and stay afloat under the extraordinary circumstances of the last six months, but so many are hanging by a thread as the pandemic drags on,” said Representative Bill Bush, who chairs the House Economic Development, Banking and Insurance Committee. “This grant funding represents a lifeline that will help our small business community overcome the next phase of this crisis.”

“This is about much more than making up for lost revenue,” said Senator Trey Paradee, chair of the Senate Banking, Business and Insurance Committee. “It’s about helping keep the doors open at the small businesses in Kent County and across the state that provide Delawareans with the paychecks and health care their families are relying on now more than ever. It’s about making our businesses safe.”

“Delaware small businesses and nonprofits have been remarkably resilient in dealing with this pandemic,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “They are the backbone of Delaware’s economy, and we feel it is imperative that the state continues to support them.”

“Multiple programs are necessary to address the challenges Delaware’s small businesses face,” said Damian DeStefano, Director of the Division of Small Business. “We believe this assistance, coupled with other efforts, including the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP) and the COVID-19 Customer Protection Standards, help make the difference for some of our small businesses.”

The Division of Small Business will begin accepting applications in early September and will follow with funding rounds in early October and November.

“DE Relief Grants are a welcome commitment by the state to help support our small business community and the valuable jobs they offer to so many Delawareans,” said Carrie Leishman, President & CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association. “The effects of the pandemic have and continue to hit the food services industry particularly hard. While no single effort is a panacea, this program will certainly help restaurants as they work to stabilize revenues while protecting the health and safety of customers and employees.”

“Enhanced financial support for small businesses was a key recommendation of the business subcommittee of Governor Carney’s Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee, and has been advocated for by the state chamber,” said Katie Wilkinson, chair of the PRAC Business Subcommittee and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. “These grants can make the difference for the survival of some of our small businesses over the next few months.”

The Division of Small Business’ team of Regional Business Managers is available to help companies prepare their applications. Small businesses can connect with the manager for their part of the state at delbiz.com/contact. For more information on DE Relief Grants, visit delbiz.com/relief.

The size of the relief grant will be based on the business or nonprofit’s 2019 revenue:

  • $0-$500,000: Up to $30,000
  • $500,000-$1 million: Up to $50,000
  • $1 million-$2.5 million: Up to $72,500
  • $2.5+ million: Up to $100,000

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Questions can also be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov. 

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

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Maryland Retailers Association offers Scholarships to Students Who Have Helped Small Businesses Keep the Lights On

The Maryland Retailers Association (MRA) is once again offering scholarships to two students attending a Maryland university, college or trade school ($1,000 for first place and $500 for second place) by explaining how they helped a Maryland business keep the lights on during the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples might include building or redesigning a company website, creating unique social media content, helping to locate personal protective equipment or working long hours to fulfill online orders.

Entries may be submitted via email to shopmdtaxfree@marylandtaxes.gov or they can be posted on the tax-free week’s social media pages: Shop Maryland Tax Free on Facebook and @shopmdtaxfree on Twitter and Instagram. Business owners, parents, colleagues and friends are encouraged to submit a nomination. Students may also self-nominate.

“Small businesses depend on their community to survive unexpected and long-lasting economic downturns,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association. “We want to hear about the young people who have stepped up during this global pandemic to support their local retailers. They deserve our appreciation and we’re happy to provide these scholarships to two worthy recipients.”

The University System of Maryland has agreed to match the $1,000 scholarship award if a student attending one of their universities is selected as the first place winner. Administrators at Stevenson University, Hood College and the Maryland Institute for College Art (MICA) have also agreed to match the $1,000 first place prize if one of their students is selected.

MRA, which is providing the scholarship money, will select the two entries that best exhibit a young Marylander supporting a small business during these challenging times.

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~ Part of a New Release from MD Comptroller.

4th Annual Millennial Summit – A Success

Wilmington, DE – T​he 4th Annual Millennial Summit (#MILLSUMMIT) took on a new feature this past week by going 100% virtual and expanding to a three day conference!

The theme for this year’s conference was ​Your 20/20 Vision​. Even though the “vision” of the 2020 #MILLSUMMIT adjusted due to the pandemic, the determination of the Planning Committee to pull together its annual one-of-a-kind, interdisciplinary conference for young professionals, rising stars, innovators, and industry leaders to connect and grow was still there. Keynote and CEO of REACH Riverside, Logan Herring, Sr. said it best, “We don’t make excuses. We make things happen.”

The #MILLSUMMIT took place online over August 3 – 5, 2020, and featured more than 75 local, regional, and national experts who provided more than 30 hours of content to attendees to watch in real-time or on demand. The 700+ unique attendees at this year’s event zoomed in from 30 different states and abroad, including the United Kingdom and Greece. Thanks to the #MILLSUMMIT app, attendees could connect with each other and the many mentors, speakers, and business coaches who participated this year. Attendees maintain access to the recorded sessions until August 14, 2020.

The user experience was exceptional and created opportunities for networking digitally thanks from the speakers and the dynamically focused panel discussions. Attendee Joshua Fournier, who participated from Massachusetts, agreed: “For doing [#MILLSUMMIT] virtually, it was awesome!”
“In May, our Planning Committee announced the difficult but necessary decision to move this year’s #MILLSUMMIT to a 100% virtual experience” commented Charlie Vincent, Executive Director of Spur Impact, the nonprofit which manages and organizes the #MILLSUMMIT. “We learned a lot over the past few weeks, and in the end provided a meaningful and unique opportunity for hundreds of young and seasoned professionals from around the country to connect over a variety of unfiltered and timely discussions about entrepreneurship, leadership, nonprofits, and other critical economic development topics, including many related to COVID, Black Lives Matter, homelessness, and food insecurity. Most importantly, the attendees learned what steps they can do to take meaningful action, and make a bigger local impact in their career and community.”

Glenn Jackson, Senior VP of M&T Bank spoke about how, ‘If you’re comfortable, you’re not growing.’ in one of the sessions on Tuesday. Sarah Fulton, Development Director at Spur Impact added, “Being forced to move virtually has positioned the Millennial Summit team and Spur Impact to make even more of an impact among the local young professional community in the coming months. Our team is full of Zoom experts, and we effectively eliminated travel barriers to our conference – which we think is especially important given the upcoming I-95 renovations that we’ve been dreading for next year. With our redesigned digital infrastructure, we have an amazing opportunity to continue to connect with young professionals and industry leaders both here in Delaware and across the country.”

The featured keynotes for the 2020 #MILLSUMMIT were:

● John Henry​, an Entrepreneur, Investor,
Co-Founder, Partner Harlem Capital,
Former Host, VICE TV’s ‘Hustle’, and Forbes 30 under 30

● Kimmi Wernli​, Owner and President of Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter

● Logan Herring​, CEO of REACH Riverside

The 2020 #MILLSUMMIT was supported in part by:
● Capital One, Title Sponsor
● M&T Bank
● Wilmington Trust
● JPMorgan Chase & Co.
● New Castle County Government
● AARP Delaware
● Barclays Bank
● Cooperative Credit Union Association
● ChristianaCare
● Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Stay tuned for expanded coverage of #MILLSUMMIT to be announced in the coming weeks at millsummit.com​ or follow @MillSummit on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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#MILLSUMMIT is the region’s one of a kind event that gathers hundreds of professionals of all ages and backgrounds; connecting professionals, difference makers, rising stars, and other leaders who want to make an impact in their community.

#MILLSUMMIT aims to inspire everyone who attends to speak up and get involved, grow professionally, meet visionaries and innovators trying to move the needle, and to take a seat at the table and start making a difference.

#MILLSUMMIT offers opportunities to learn about leadership, professional development, nonprofit and community service, government and public service, the arts, personal development and wellness, entrepreneurship, finance, and more.

Is your Instagram Optimized for Search?

By making a few changes within your Instagram Account and posts will assist in people finding you and attract new followers. Ones that are looking for you, your services and branding.

1) Have a Searchable User Name
Let your user name tell people what you are about. What you do. I have an Instagram account for my photography and I have photographer as part of my user name.

Are you working in a Wellness Industry and are a Yoga Instructor? Wellness and Yoga are two of your keywords and either would be great to use as part of your User Name.

Regardless have your username as one that is searchable. Don’t use irrelevant symbols or made-up words.

2) Have a primary keyword in your display name
You have 30 letters in your display name, add a keyword.

3) Have Keywords in your Bio.
You do want your Bio to read well, but don’t be afraid to let people know what you do.

4) Think of your hashtags as keywords
Hashtags are one of the ways that non-followers will find your content. Don’t feel overwhelmed when you create hashtags. You don’t want to create one hashtag set and always use it. It’s better to create different sets for each different topic.

5) Use Image Alt Text
Did you even know you could add these in Instagram? This is part of an Accessibilty feature of Instagram.

How to edit your alt text
• Before you share your photo, click on the advanced settings tab at the bottom.
• Scroll to the bottom and tap on “write your alt text.”
• Add your image description, save it and share your image.

Other options in the Advance Settings include:
• Turn Off Commenting
• Share Posts to Facebook
• Branded Content

6) Your Image Captions are also Title Tags
When you post, Instagram creates a unique URL. They use the photo’s caption as the title tag. Google will only use the first 60 character so you’ll want to use any relevant keywords at the beginning of the caption.

By making a few changes to the way you use Instagram you can increase your chances of having your target follower/Audience to find your account and posts.

Follow me on Instagram at:
SGAtkinson_Photographer or ShoreToBeFun