Small Business Grant Programs

Small Business Capital Project Grant

The Small Business Capital Project Grant provides financial assistance to encourage the growth of existing businesses in Westminster with 50 or fewer employees. 

The program is designed to pay for one-time, project-related costs.

Business Eligibility:

• Must have an active Westminster Business License.
• 50 or fewer employees (FTEs).
• Business must show proof of project completion and proof of payment before receiving reimbursement for project costs.

Grant Guidelines:

• Grant amount is 10 percent of project cost.
• Proof of purchase/project completion required.
• Maximum grant amount of $5,000.
• Only one grant per business per year.
• Available only as funding is available.

Qualifying Projects (but not limited to):

• Tangible asset costs.
• Office furnishings.
• Specialized equipment.
• Software purchase.
• IT equipment.
• Capital improvements.
• Machinery.

General operational expenses, including rent, utilities, training, marketing, networking and staff remuneration, will not be considered for grant reimbursement.

Process:

• Complete the Capital Project Grant Brochure & Application and return it to the Economic Development Office.
• Submit detailed list of all project-related costs, with vendor’s name and supporting invoices.
• Identify if grant monies should be paid directly to vendor or directly to applying businesses.
• Staff will contact you concerning grant approval.

For additional information regarding the Small Business Capital Project Grant, contact Becky Nelson at 303-658-2110.

Westminster Economic Development Office
Westminster City Hall
4800 W. 92nd Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
or
Fax: 303-706-3922
EcoDevo@CityofWestminster.us

Small Business Scholarship

The Small Business Training/Scholarship Program provides reimbursement of business training expenses to licensed Westminster entrepreneurs and small business owners/employers with 50 or fewer employees. The program reimburses 50 percent of the cost of tuition, fees, and required materials, up to $500 per business, per calendar year, after successful completion of courses. Courses may include:

Management, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Computer Skills, Human Resources, Manufacturing Trades, New Technology
 
The program allows for a great deal of flexibility in choosing the type of training.  All courses that reasonably benefit the business are eligible.  Applicants may choose courses from any accredited institution or generally accepted program.

How It Works:

1. Choose what type of training will benefit your business.
2. Complete the Scholarship Application and return it to the Economic Development Office at Westminster City Hall (4800 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster, CO 80031) or FAX it to 303-706-3922 prior to the course start date.  A course description should accompany the application.
3. City staff reviews the application and approves or denies the request. Approval is based on availability of program funds and the course's contribution to business operations.
4. If approved, the business owner/employee registers and pays for course tuition and required materials.
5. After successful completion of the course, submit proof of satisfactory completion (completion certificate, letter of completion, etc.) and proof of payment (receipt, credit card statement, returned check, etc.) to the city's Economic Development Office.
6. The business receives 50% reimbursement for the course, up to $500 per calendar year. Note: reimbursement is made directly to the business, not to the program participant.

Contact: Economic Development at 303-658-2108

Small Business Efficiency Program

The City of Westminster on June 15 launched the Small Business Efficiency Program, offering up to $5,200 in energy efficiency rebates to small- and medium-sized businesses.

The rebates are for facility audits, lighting retrofits, re-commissioning services and setback thermostats.

If money remains in the $5,200 allotment, businesses may apply the remaining money to equipment and/or material costs for any energy saving measure identified in the audit and approved by the Governor’s Energy Office .

The Governor’s Energy Office and the City of Westminster will provide hands-on support to all participating businesses throughout the program. By participating in this program, businesses will be able to reduce energy and operating costs, help stimulate local clean energy jobs and reduce overall carbon emissions for the community.

Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Program details

APPLY: All small- to medium-sized businesses that operate in a space equal to or less than 25,000 square feet are encouraged to apply.

Businesses can apply to the program by completing an application/commitment form that requests facility information including: business type, square feet of space, maintenance issues, most recent 12 months of electricity and heating fuel bills, and other general information.

Download an application

Applications must be submitted to the City of Westminster.

LEARN ENERGY DATA MANAGEMENT 101: Participating businesses will be required to attend a 3-4 hour energy data management training workshop. During the workshop, representatives from the GEO will teach businesses about energy data management, program implementation, and how to track utility use and costs. By the end of the workshop, each business will have developed a baseline of the most recent year of utility use and will be prepared to continue data tracking after the efficiency upgrades are implemented.

RECEIVE A FACILITY ASSESSMENT: Based on the information provided, businesses will be directed to either receive a free lighting-only audit or a $200 comprehensive facility energy audit. Program participants that receive the comprehensive facility energy audit will be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost, up to $100. Businesses shall schedule their audits with Xcel and submit the final audit to GEO for review.

IMPLEMENT: Businesses that have received the lighting-only audit will work with Xcel Energy’s lighting consultant to have lighting retrofits implemented. Businesses that have received the comprehensive facility energy audit will select local contractors (if possible) to install the recommended energy conservation measures. Businesses are eligible to receive rebates through this program for the following:

• 50 percent of the equipment cost for lighting, up to $2,000;
• 50 percent of re-commissioning services, up to $3,000; and
• $100 for setback thermostats, not to exceed the cost of the thermostat.

Businesses shall submit contractor bids prior to implementing work.

RECEIVE MEASUREMENT AND VERIFICATION: Following installation of the energy efficiency measures, businesses will submit contractor invoices for their work and a representative from GEO will review all invoices to verify that the installed equipment matches the intent of the audit and the projected energy savings. Upon approval, businesses will receive their program rebates.

BE RECOGNIZED: All participating businesses will be recognized for their achievement through city and state recognition efforts.

The Small Business Efficiency Program is part of the statewide Main Street Efficiency Initiative and is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and administered by GEO and the City of Westminster.

More information:

Please contact Tom Ochterski, City of Westminster, at 303-658-2551 or the program administrator, Trident Energy Services, at 303-247-0193.