These Black Business Owners Matter

Startup Black business owners in Beloit, WI have received little to no support from COVID-19 relief programs like EIDL and PPP. In addition, these business owners haven't been extended access to local loan programs like Rock County’s COVID-19 Emergency Small Business Loan Fund.  The business owners who were in business 18 months or less, have not established business credit, or were struggling with their business prior to COVID, do not  qualify for most of the COVID-19 relief programs.  BUT, these businesses are important and they need help, too. How do they pick up and move on after COVID-19 if no one believes they're just as valuable as other small businesses?

Funds raised through this fundraiser will be used to assist Black business owners in the Rock County area with things like:

* Extensive training on rebuilding their business after COVID-19
* Purchase of any technology they need to move their business forward (computers, software)
* Paying past due rent on office space
* Making car repairs to a vehicle used for business purposes
* Marketing and promotion

This fundraiser is important to me because I'm passionate about seeing Black business owners thrive in the Rock County area. I want to see us start our own businesses that contribute to the Rock County community and serve as vehicles for economic growth in the Black community.

Thank you so much for your support.

Genia Stevens, Founder & Executive Director
Rock County Jumpstart
http://rockcountyjumpstart.org