North Charlotte Today

The City of Charlotte has announced the Start-Scale-Sustain (S3) grant opportunity, a program designed to empower Business District Organizations (BDOs) within Corridors of Opportunity. The city's initiative is to uplift these communities by partnering with BDOs to enhance the vitality of neighborhood commercial districts. The partnership will involve place-based organizations in establishing a collective vision for their district and promoting businesses and stakeholders to create an active, vibrant, and healthy business environment.

The S3 program will use federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to streamline and scale opportunities for corridor-based established and emerging BDOs. These organizations will receive assistance in building their organization and supporting their businesses.

“This program underscores our city's dedication to fostering inclusive economic development,” said Erin Gillespie, interim Corridors of Opportunity executive program manager. “By providing funding and technical assistance to BDOs, we aim to empower these organizations to better serve our community and drive sustainable growth.”

To be eligible for application, organizations must be a nonprofit with an existing or pending 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 designation. They must serve a business district in the Corridors of Opportunity, represent at least 10 businesses from the business district they serve, and be an active SAM.gov UEI or have a fiduciary/fiscal sponsor with a UEI.

The S3 program offers flexibility to accommodate BDOs at various stages of development. Both emerging and established organizations can benefit from the support provided. Funding will be allocated based on each BDO's specific needs, focusing on strategic investments that maximize impact.

The application window for the grant program is open now through Friday, June 14, at 5 p.m. Interested BDOs are encouraged to submit their applications promptly for consideration for funding.

City staff will host a question-and-answer webinar on Thursday, May 16 at 11 a.m. Participants must register for the webinar to get a virtual meeting link and submit questions prior by emailing corridorsofopportunity@charlottenc.gov. For more information on the grant program and application guidelines, please visit the S3 grant webpage.