Comcast has announced that 100 small businesses in Southern Colorado will receive comprehensive grant packages, including business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover. The initiative is part of Comcast RISE, a program dedicated to supporting the growth of small businesses while advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and community investment objectives.
The regions covered in this round of grants include Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Richmond, VA, and Southern Colorado. A total of 500 grants, with 100 grants per city, were announced and will be awarded in September 2024.
Among the Southern Colorado grant recipients are RAD Hostel in Colorado Springs, ColorSplashPaintball in Pueblo, and The Walter Brewing Company in Pueblo. Erin Welch, owner of RAD Hostel, expressed excitement about the grant, stating, "I'm honored and excited about being selected to receive this grant and I'm confident that with the marketing assistance and technology makeover, we can more effectively share the type of experience we offer, increase our occupancy, and ensure more happy guests have a RAD Colorado experience."
Rique Lucero, owner of ColorSplashPaintball, also shared his gratitude, saying, "I purchased this paintball business in March of 2019, and it was flourishing until the pandemic hit. I had to use all my capital just to keep the doors open. My planned projects and dreams were put on hold. Thanks to Comcast RISE, I now have an opportunity for a fresh start, and resources to grow my business."
J.D. Keller, senior vice president of Comcast’s Mountain West Region, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting small businesses. "The Comcast RISE program will deliver innovative and impactful resources that will make a lasting impact on small businesses in Southern Colorado," he noted.
Comcast RISE was created in November 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. The program has since evolved to focus on helping businesses and their communities thrive with an emphasis 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.)
Additionally, small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on X1 for aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. X1 customers can access this by saying “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.
