The entrepreneurs will receive a $5,000 monetary grant, marketing and technology
resources to support and strengthen their small businesses
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Comcast announced
the 100 businesses in Greater
Jacksonville and surrounding areas that will receive support
from its nationally recognized Comcast RISE program. The businesses
awarded grants will receive comprehensive packages, including
business consultation services, educational resources, a
$5,000 monetary grant, creative
production, media schedule, and a technology makeover.
Small businesses located in Clay, Duval,
Nassau and St. Johns counties in Florida's First Coast along with Camden, Charlton and Glynn counties in southeast Georgia applied for the grants in May. The
newly announced recipients are among more than 14,000 entrepreneurs
nationwide, and more than 1,300 small businesses in Florida, who have been selected through the
Comcast RISE program to date, with support totaling
$140M dollars. Comcast RISE was
created to help businesses and their communities thrive, with a
focus on economic growth.
The 100 Greater Jacksonville's
recipients include:
- Honie Bees Boutique and Treats
- International Blades & Shears
- Jazz Poetry Café
- PYR Millwork
"When I found out I am a Comcast RISE recipient, I was ecstatic.
I burst into tears," said Sherene
Phillips, owner of Honie Bees Boutique and Treats. "Although
you hope you will win, it is something different to get the call
that they chose you. To be chosen means a lot to me."
"I love that Comcast is investing in our community and even more
so, veteran-owned businesses like mine. I served 20 years of my
life in the United States
Military," said Moyishe Moore, owner of International Blades
& Shears. "So I think it is great that the support is being
reciprocated with programs like this that will help my business
reach new heights."
"The thing I'm most excited about from the Comcast RISE grant is
business consultation," said Carisa Brown, owner of Jazz
Poetry Café. "The majority of the time, I am running my business by
myself from the marketing to the website and general management.
I'm so excited to have someone come in and help me take it to the
next level."
"What motivated me to apply to this program was the
entrepreneurial knowledge that I am going to acquire. I want my
business to have better and sustainable growth," said Pedro Reyes, owner of PYR Millwork. "I am
sure that with the help of Comcast RISE I can accomplish my short
and long-term goals of being able to serve more people in my
community."
The regions in this round included Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Richmond, VA and southern Colorado. A total of 100 grants per city, or
500 grants overall, were announced today and will be awarded in
September 2024.
"At Comcast, we know small businesses are the backbone of our
local economies which is why we're so proud to support them," said
Jeff Buzzelli, Senior Vice President
of Comcast's Florida Region. "We're investing in
entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, enriching communities and
generating opportunities in Greater
Jacksonville. We're celebrating them today by offering
real resources to help grow their businesses and rooting for
their continued success."
Comcast RISE was created in November
2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19, from
bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning
services, by providing the grants needed to survive and
recover.
"Supporting small businesses means investing in the heart of our
communities," said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity
Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast. "By empowering
entrepreneurs and small business owners with the skills and
resources they need to grow and succeed, we help ensure our local
neighborhoods can flourish and thrive too."
The program has evolved from helping businesses survive the
pandemic, to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a
focus on economic growth.
Grant packages include:
COACHING SESSIONS - Business assessment and coaching that
provide business owners with recommendations on how to help grow
their businesses.
EDUCATION RESOURCES - 12-month access to online
entrepreneurship courses, learning modules and resources for small
business owners.
MONETARY GRANT - $5,000 monetary grant.
CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA – Professionally produced
30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and a
180-day linear media schedule. (Taxes and other fees may apply for
production and media services.)
TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER - Computer equipment and
Internet, Voice and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes
and other fees may apply for tech makeover services.)
In addition, any small business owner can visit the Comcast RISE
destination on X1 featuring aggregated small business news, tips,
insights, and more. X1 customers can say "Comcast RISE" into the
voice remote.
Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company's $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity
through programs and community partnerships that connect people to
the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next
generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and
creators.
More information is available at www.ComcastRISE.com.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and
technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide,
to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach
hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide.
We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through
Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream
leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including
NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and
Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and
attractions to life through Universal Destinations &
Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more
information.
Media Contact:
Sydney Freeman
561-685-8839
Sydney_Freeman@comcast.com
https://florida.comcast.com/
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