DIAMOND SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: December 10, 2024
Agenda Date: December 16, 2024
Prepared By: Ryan Browne, Redevelopment Coordinator
Through: Charlene Neuterman, Community Services Director
Requested Action:
title
A presentation on updates to the UpStart Cocoa Grant Program, given by Samantha Senger, Director of Communication and Economic Development, City of Cocoa.End
body
BACKGROUND:
A presentation on updates to the UpStart Cocoa Grant Program, given by Samantha Senger, Director of Communication and Economic Development, City of Cocoa.
Discussion of the proposed changes to the UpStart Cocoa Policy that will be going before Council at the January 14, 2025 meeting.
Below is a brief of the changes:
1. Updating Office of Economic Development to Communication and Economic Development Department.
2. Changing eligible businesses to any business in Cocoa that is less than three years old and any business in Diamond Square area that is less than five years old unless the business is relocating into the area.
3. Allowing eligible businesses to reapply for the program if they weren’t selected after 6 months instead of one year.
4. Removing the requirement to submit a business plan with the application. We have added questions to the application that will provide most of the information from a business plan and the businesses will be working with weVENTURE to create a business plan.
5. Added the option for eligible reimbursable expenses to include membership to the Space Coast Black Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
None.
PREVIOUS ACTION:
N/A.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
A presentation on updates to the UpStart Cocoa Grant Program, given by Samantha Senger, Director of Communication and Economic Development, City of Cocoa.