City Councilman Mike Driscoll, Mayfair Business Improvement District executive director Donny Smith and others gathered last week outside Driscoll’s office to discuss Comcast RISE.
Comcast recently announced a new round of 100 businesses in Philadelphia that will receive comprehensive grant packages that include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule and a technology makeover. Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of “diversity, equity and inclusion” as well as community investment. The program was created to help businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.
Through June 30, eligible businesses in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis and Portland can apply for a grant package at www.ComcastRISE.com. A total of 100 grants per city, or 500 grants overall, will be announced in August and awarded in September, bringing the total number of recipients to date to 13,500 including 200 Philadelphia small businesses that received $2 million in grant awards and nearly 400 that received marketing or technology services packages.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are essential to building strong and thriving local communities,” said Loren Hudson, senior vice president and Chief Diversity Officer at Comcast. “As small businesses transition from pandemic recovery to a focus on expansion and growth, Comcast RISE is proud to help strengthen and empower these deserving businesses and entrepreneurs.”
Comcast RISE stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment. Comcast RISE was created in November 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19, by providing the grants needed to survive and recover. The program will evolve from helping businesses survive the pandemic to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.
Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s initiative to advance “digital equity.”
More information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for the grant program are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. ••
