SOMERSET, Ky. – As a grant program designed to boost small businesses and entrepreneurs enters its second year, a local media company has joined the effort to increase the financial benefits of the program.

Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) will partner with Forcht Broadcasting in 2021 for its Mini-Grant Series, a program that provides funds to help those who want to start new businesses or innovate under existing operations. .

SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said Forcht Broadcasting representatives were so inspired by the mini-grant series after its first year that they approached him to ask how they could make it happen. to help. SPEDA awards four grants of $ 2,500 per year to two start-up companies that are looking to start their operations and / or have been in business for less than a year, and to two growth-oriented companies that have been in business for more than a year. The program was launched this year.

Through this partnership, Forcht will match each of the four grants of $ 2,500 to $ 2,500 in advertising and marketing services, increasing the total financial benefit of the program from $ 10,000 to $ 20,000.

“I am very grateful to Forcht Broadcasting for seeing the value of helping entrepreneurs and business owners in the community pursue their dreams,” said Girdler. “Forcht is an exceptional regional media company that invests time and time again in the communities it serves. We are fortunate in Somerset and Pulaski County to benefit from their leadership in service.

Forcht Broadcasting is a small, community-driven radio group based in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. The company owns WYKY 106.1 FM and WTLO 1480 AM | 97.7 FM in Somerset.

The application is now available for the next round of mini-grants, which will be awarded in April 2021. The deadline to apply is February 26, 2021.

Companies can apply for a variety of projects including, but not limited to: strategic planning and management; the purchase or physical improvement of facilities or equipment; coaching; or leadership capacity, planning and management initiatives.

In its first year, the first recipients of the mini-grant program included The Market on Main, 19 Kilo Turkey Calls, Get Ur Smoke On BBQ, and Buck Creek Outfitters.

Girdler said that ultimately SPEDA seeks to fund proposals that promote entrepreneurship, business expansion and strong economic growth and development in Somerset and Pulaski County.

“With the savings achieved through our good management and proper oversight, we hope to put these savings back into the hands of our business community through the mini-grant program,” said Girdler. “There is no business that is too small or too large to apply for these grants. Our goal is to transmit our spirit of innovation to the business world, so that they too can innovate and make our economy even stronger.

Girdler said proposals that build capacity through the promotion, support and advancement of a business and overall economic development will be prioritized. Companies should present their overall plan in their applications, the ways the grant investment will be used, the need for the investment as well as how they help build a community to mobilize local resources and strengthen institutions and community networks.