Small Business Construction Mitigation Grant#
Background#
The City of Fort Collins Economic Heath Office is offering financial assistance to small businesses directly impacted by City funded Capital Improvement Projects in 2025. These payments are intended to help businesses mitigate the negative impacts of this capital construction project
Eligibility#
There are two major projects identified in 2025 that will affect operations for many small businesses within City Limits. The College and Trilby Intersection Improvement Project and the Power Trail and Harmony Road Grade-Separated Crossing Project. These two eligible project areas will have grant money available to small businesses, defined as operations with 50 employees or less. $2,500 grants will be available to businesses located in or near construction for projects with an expected duration greater than 45 days, and an $5,000 will be available to businesses in project areas with an expected duration greater than 120 days.
The Economic Health Office will provide one-time payments totaling $2,500 or $5,000 per applying business in affected construction zones. These funds will require submission of a record of spending directly tied to predictable construction impact mitigation. Marketing support, cleaning and staff retention are examples of qualified spending, and should be detailed on the application. Due to limited availability of funds, awards will be based on eligibility, on a first come, first served basis.
2025 Grant Eligible Project Areas#
Qualification Requirements#
Grant Qualification requirements:
- In one of the identified major project areas
- Compliant standing with City Sales Tax
- Good Standing with the Colorado Secretary of State
- Signed W-9
Small Business Funding Options#
Colorado OEDIT's Business Foundations Technical Assistance Program
The Business Foundations Technical Assistance program provides Colorado small businesses with technical assistance and small grants to help businesses legally establish themselves. This program includes 3 required training paths for business to complete: Legal Formation and Registration, Accounting and Finance, Digital Marketing and E-commerce.
Once completed participants may be eligible to apply for grants up to $1,200.
Eligibility:
- Any Colorado small business can take advantage of this program.
Colorado Enterprise Fund
The Colorado Enterprise Fund works with business owners and entrepreneurs who have previously had trouble securing a loan, need a smaller-than-average loan, or haven't borrowed money before. They provide loans up to $150,000 with low interest rates to start and/or grow your business.
The program also provides limited grant funds of up to 20% or $15,000 of the loan amount for startup businesses who have already been approved.
Eligibility:
- for profit entity
- 25 or less full-time employees
- less than $2 million/year gross annual revenue
Prairie Rose Development - Kiva Loans
Prairie Rose Development has partnered with Kiva, an international non-profit, to provide crowdfunded, 0% interest, and no fee small business loans up to $15,000. The Kiva Colorado team through Prairie Rose Development works with small businesses and entrepreneurs through the entire application, fundraising, and repayment process to help them succeed.
Eligibility:
- at least 18 years of age
- registered U.S. business
- not currently in bankruptcy or foreclosure
- not a franchise or multi-level marketing