The 2024 BLOOM Grant Program for Small Businesses in York County will award grants from $500 to $1,500 to small businesses for projects intended to help them improve productivity, expand their services, or grow to the next level. Grant amounts will be considered based on need and potential impact.

The grants are available to for-profit businesses that are owned and operated in York County and have revenue generated as of Jan. 1. Applicants cannot have more than 50 full- or part-time employees, and companies must match 10% of the grant's capital value.

Applicants cannot be an employee or board member of York County Economic Alliance, Downtown Inc, the Women's Business Center Organization, or an affiliate board, and they cannot be a family member of an employee or board member. Applicants cannot be an elected or appointed official.

Past recipients may apply, but priority will be given to those who have not already received BLOOM grants. Projects funded through previous BLOOM grants have included improving signage, making physical improvements to the business's location, marketing, training and certification for new services, or purchasing new equipment.

The application deadline is Monday, Aug. 12, at 8 p.m., and finalists will be required to attend the in-person pitch competition on Tuesday, Aug. 27. For full details, visit http://www.bloomyork.org.