Contributed Article/Courtesy Graham County Chamber of Commerce
GRAHAM COUNTY – Businesses in Graham and Greenlee counties are eligible to apply for hundreds of dollars of grant funding to be used to bring their businesses online. The funds are available for social media marketing, website development, logo creation, and more. The applications are available at www.limelight.team, by clicking on “Apply” at the top of the page.
To receive a grant, business owners must fill in an online application. Then, a Limelight team member will contact the business owner to set up a time to go over the individual current online presence of the business. Businesses will be recommended for grant funds based on their needs and potential for success. Limelight will rely on Weston Wiltbank, owner of WBNK Media, Dillon McGaughey, owner of Fivesight Creative, Lee Patterson at Double R Communications, and others to educate businesses and provide services.
“One byproduct of COVID was we noticed some businesses were prepared. They had a social media presence, an online presence, were selling online, and some businesses weren’t,” said Danny Smith, President of the Safford Downtown Association. “COVID really illustrated how important it is to be online, using social media, using a website, using Google – all the technology that is available to businesses today.”
Governor Doug Ducey made these funds for Limelight available through the Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Response Grant Program, established late last year. “Arizona businesses have innovated and adjusted for months to operate safely while prioritizing public health,” said Governor Ducey. “Today’s grant funding will bring additional support to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, keep our economy moving forward, and help protect public health and safety. I’m grateful to all chambers of commerce and businesses across the state that support our workforce and protect Arizonans.” A full list of chambers receiving funds is available in the Governor’s press release.
The Limelight program has applied for matching funds from other organizations, and the hope is that this program will not only be a COVID-19 era tool for business owners but will continue to help our local businesses innovate and succeed in the 21st Century.
Limelight is administered by the Graham County Chamber of Commerce with support from the Greenlee County Chamber of Commerce, Safford Downtown Association, Eastern Arizona College Small Business Development Center, Graham County Board of Supervisors, the city of Safford, the town of Thatcher, and the town of Pima.
