The Department of Economic Development’s GROW Program is intended to encourage and financially-support small businesses making strategic improvements to commercial buildings within The City of Frederick. The competitive program provides a limited quantity of small conditional matching grants subject to fund availability.
Already this fiscal year, three growing small businesses have been able to take advantage of the program. The combined awards of $25,000 have helped support a total private investment of approximately $300,000. These three businesses added 7,000 square feet of commercial space collectively. The businesses anticipate these projects will prompt the hire of 33 total new employees over the next 3 years.
Check out these exciting recent small business projects that were supported by the GROW Grant below:
Jerk It, Smoke It
THE PROJECT:
Jerk It, Smoke It is a new Jamaican-American fusion full-service restaurant. The business has just recently completed its renovations to a Yellow Spring Road space formerly occupied eye glass store. Significant tenant fit-out was required at the space — including the installation of a new commercial kitchen. Project improvements supported by the GROW Grant included new ADA compliant restrooms, as well as other electrical & plumbing upgrades.
Asian Supermarket
THE PROJECT:
The grocery store had previously operated for 19 years at the Patrick Street Center. The family-owned business was prompted to seek a new location following the announcement of redevelopment plans for the center. The Asian Supermarket’s new location, which is double in size, allows for greater customer capacity and more inventory. The ownership team has expanded its already broad range of products to include bubble tea and various Asian finger foods and pastries.
The GROW Grant helped fund plumbing and electrical upgrades required during the fit-out of the new space.
Rehab 2 Perform
THE PROJECT:
Rehab 2 Perform recently expanded its Frederick location to accommodate the company’s growing patient volume as well adding services for therapy that include postpartum physical therapy and concussion care. The expansion led them to renovate 4,000 SF of space adjacent to their existing operations.
The GROW Grant was key to supporting required improvements to the building’s fire sprinkling and electrical system.
Considering a project for your own business?
Explore the GROW program criteria here. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff at business@cityoffrederickmd.gov to talk through the process!