Turner, Comcast announce 'an additional $1 million in grants' for small businesses in Houston

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, along with Comcast and several communities leaders, have shared that the second round of Comcast RISE Investment Fund grants will be awarded to minority-owned small businesses.

Click 2 Houston reported that the Comcast RISE Investment Fund will provide $10,000 grants to an additional 100 small businesses in Houston.

"Today, @comcast brought the power of digital access and business acumen and opportunity to help support our small/minority businesses," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote in a tweet. "In partnership with @ComcastHouston, I was honored to announce that an additional $1 million in grants will be added to the #ComcastRISE program."

To be eligible for one of the grants, the business must be in Harris or Fort Bend County, have been in business for three or more years and employ between one to 25 people, Click 2 Houston reported. 

"Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund offer the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color to help grow their businesses, create jobs and play a vital role in supporting our communities," Teresa Ward-Maupin, senior vice president, Digital and Customer Experience, Comcast Business, said, as reported by Martech Cube. "This new round of Comcast RISE grants will provide more entrepreneurs of color with the resources and tools they need to scale their businesses and thrive for years to come."

Since the beginning of Comcast RISE in 2020, nearly 4,700 grants have been awarded, Martech Cube reported. 

“While we know that no single organization can solve historic and systemic inequities overnight, we are committed to taking tangible actions that can drive long-term impact and change,” Ward-Maupin said.

In addition to the 100 grants going to the Houston area, another 600 grants will be available for small businesses in Miami, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities and Washington, D.C., according to Martech Cube. 

Martech Cube reported that 1,100 additional businesses will also be eligible for Comcast RISE marketing and technology support. The total of grants going out for the second round of funding will total $6 million, bringing the program total since its inception to $11 million. 

Eligible businesses can apply for one of the 100 grants going to the Houston area between Oct. 1 and Oct. 14 at www.ComcastRISE.com, Click 2 Houston reported.