City of Palo Alto Offering Boo$t to Budding Entrepreneurs

Are you thinking of starting your own business? The City of Palo Alto wants to help you make that happen.

Here are details of the city's Pilot Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP). Deadline for application is Jan. 15.

• MAP Vision Statement 
• “Empower and improve the economic well-being of low-moderate income families and individuals by providing local aspiring entrepreneurs with systems of support to start and grow their own business that will increase their self-sufficiency.” 
• Overview
• On May 6, 2013 the Palo Alto City Council approved allocating $150,000 towards a Pilot Microenterprise Assistance Program as part of the City’s Fiscal Year 2014 CDBG Budget. The purpose of the program is to provide access to new opportunities to improve the economic self-sufficiency of low-moderate income families and individuals. This approach builds on the foundation of entrepreneurship and seeks to empower clients by increasing their economic literacy, business skills, self-esteem, and personal behavior appropriate to the workplace. The MAP program seeks to accomplish the following:
•     • Provide an innovative path out of poverty 
•     • Create self-sufficiency 
•     • Improve the survival rate of microenterprise businesses 
•     • Improve employment skills 
•     • Promote community economic development 
• Planning Staff in conjunction with the City’s Economic Development Manager have been diligently working to develop the Pilot MAP and we are excited to announce the pre-application window is now open. Program details and frequently asked questions can be found below. 
• Pilot MAP At-a-Glance 
• How to Apply 
• To apply for funding for the Pilot MAP, please submit a Pre-Application form by Wednesday, January 15, 2014. Both hard copies and electronic copies will be accepted up to 5:30PM. Please contact Consuelo Hernandez via email at Consuelo.hernandez@cityofpaloalto.org or via phone at 650-329-2428 should you have any program related questions. 
• Pre-Application Form 
• Application Process 
• The first step in the application process is to submit a pre-application form by Wednesday, January 15, 2014. CDBG Staff and the MAP Grant Review Committee will review applications for eligibility and will establish an eligibility list. Those that make it on the eligibility list will be provided with instructions pertaining to the formal application process. Formal applications are tentatively due on February 13, 2014. Only those placed on the eligibility list will be considered for MAP funds.