100 Small Business Owners in Multnomah County Awarded Grants Through Comcast RISE
We’re excited to share that 100 small businesses in Multnomah County will receive comprehensive grant packages from Comcast RISE, our program that aims to help businesses and their communities thrive through economic growth. Grant packages will include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule and a technology makeover. The distribution of these grants is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, inclusion, and community investment.
We are particularly focused on uplifting small businesses, as they make up 95% of all companies in Portland. Nearly 600 small businesses in Multnomah County submitted applications for the Comcast RISE grants. Still recovering from pandemic-related economic downturn, many small businesses need external support to navigate the ever-changing commercial landscape. Small businesses are a dynamic element in Portland and part of what makes the city unique. SmartAssets reports that approximately 24% of Multnomah County locals have small business incomes.
“I started Sparkly Gowns as an online store and opened the brick-and-mortar location in 2022. This grant from Comcast Rise will help me grow my business. I want to improve my online presence, increase my marketing and add technology to my retail store. I am from Colombia, and as an immigrant business owner, it makes such a difference to get support,” said Fabiola Cardenas Castellanos, owner of Sparkly Gowns.
Nearly 60% of the Multnomah County small business owners who applied to Comcast RISE identify as a person of color, and 65% report being a female-owned company. This is notable, as small businesses, especially those owned by historically marginalized identities, were hit particularly hard during the pandemic. A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research noted that Black-owned small businesses were hardest hit, suffering the steepest decline (41%), followed by Hispanic and Asian American-owned small businesses. In addition, according to a study by the National Association of Women Business Owners, women-owned businesses have been growing at only half the rate of those run by men, namely because women struggle to access capital and other resources to help them succeed.
“This grant means a lot for Fisticuts Barbershop, and it comes at the perfect time. As a small-business owner, I had to be incredibly nimble to make it through the pandemic. Now I’m looking to promote and grow Fisticuts. The Comcast RISE grant gives me professional resources to tell my story,” said Roberto Martinez, founder, Fisticuts Barbershop.
“I bought Pacific Pie Company in July 2021 with the hope to breathe new life into the space and the community by expanding it into a coffee shop, but over the last couple of years I’ve run into roadblocks for growth,” said Brook Ramirez, owner of Pacific Pie Company. “The Comcast RISE grant comes at a great time and will allow me to move forward with my vision. It finally feels like all the pieces are falling into place.”
With today’s announcement, the following 100 selected businesses in Multnomah County will each receive grant packages:
Comcast RISE Recipients
Marketing and advertising consultations
Media placements over a 90-day period
Commercial creative production services
Technology services from Effectv and/or Comcast Business
More information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for the grant program are available at www.ComcastRISE.com.
Past Comcast RISE Recipients
2 Rivers Bar and Grill
Amy Estrada Counseling
Andrew’s Water Hole
Blendily
Blue River Group LLC
Boss Nailz
Bridge City Contracting
Cafe Destino
Capitol Bar
Caribbean Spice
Carriage House Auto Care
Champions Barbering Institute
Cheerful Tortoise
Cima Services, Inc.
Eleni’s Restaurant
Elliott & Murrey Coffee Roasters
Empire Body Works LLC
Employment Marketplace
Evergreen Mart
Flowers Tommy Luke
Genesis Vegan Spa
Kinetikos Physical Interactive
LondonDRN PC
Meals For Heels
Northwest Threads and Embroidery LLC
Pacific Northwest Glass & Mirror
Professional Interpreters, Inc.
Photos by Orion
Physical Therapy and Hand Clinic
Poboyz Cajun Creole Kitchen
Professional Auto Body & Paint
PS Dental
R.A.A.P Counseling and Consulting, LLC
Ragan’s Boutique
River Pig Saloon LLC
Servicios Latinos Tax Preparation
Sprouting Health and Wellness
Sugar Street Bakery and Bistro
Sunee Thai & Lao Kitchen
Taqueria La Fuente
Teascape
The Cheerful Bullpen
The Headstrong
The Red Gate
Tie’s One Hour Dry Cleaners
- We are committed to supporting small businesses who have been hit the hardest by the economic impact of the pandemic.
- We are committed to supporting small businesses who have been hit the hardest by the economic impact of the pandemic.
Visit ComcastRISE.com to apply, for more information and the latest updates.
