On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, American Express and Main Street America announced the grant recipients for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program.
In partnership with American Express and Main Street America, the Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach and/or cultural significance. This year, small business owner, Michaelé Rose Watson at Studio M in New Bern, North Carolina became one of the recipients to receive a $10,000 grant for a project to help grow or improve her business by building community, supporting economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.
For me, Michaelé Rose at Studio M, this grant will help expand Studio M’s gallery space by 200 square feet to help serve the needs in our growing art community. A huge THANK YOU to American Express and Main Street America for creating this grant program to help small businesses like myself to succeed in growing in the best of ways possible for my particular needs.
None of this would be possible without all of the many wonderful locals that have become patrons who have become friends and the many visitors who come from all over the world to support, explore, and enjoy our lovely Downtown Historic New Bern. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate and Thank You and very glad to be on this path with you.
American Express and Main Street America today announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. The program’s 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses.
Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.
This program is part of American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants. Backing Small is an extension of American Express’ longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
Meet the most recent Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grant Recipients.
To learn more about the Backing Small Businesses grant program and learn about the grantees, click here.
