Delaware small businesses receive EDGE grants
Gov. John Carney was in Milford July 19 to deliver state grants to 10 small businesses that will provide much-needed capital to ensure long-term success.
This was the fifth round of the state’s Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion grants. Businesses eligible for these grants must have no more than 10 employees and are less than five years old. They separated into STEM-based companies and entrepreneurs, with STEM companies eligible for up to $100,000 in funds and entrepreneurs eligible for up to $50,000.
The EDGE program, which launched in 2019, is a matching grant program from the Division of Small Business where the division matches a winning business’ investment on a 3-to-1 basis. The funds can be used on expenses such as equipment or marketing campaigns, among other things.
Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock said, “The EDGE grant program provides these creative, driven entrepreneurs with the capital they need to start or grow their business and reach their potential.”
Carney visited My Sister’s Fault, a bakery in Milford, to announce the winners. Co-owner Angie Robles, who runs the business with her sister, Rous, said she intends to use the $50,000 grant to purchase new refrigerator and freezer equipment that will help them take more custom cake orders, hire more staff and cater more special events.
“Since we opened in 2017, our business has grown significantly, and our current equipment cannot keep up with the demand of our customers. The EDGE funding will allow us to purchase new, larger equipment so we can continue to grow our business,” she said.
The sisters’ handiwork was on display at the July 19 event, with many of tasty treats available for sampling. Besides My Sister’s Fault, entrepreneur winners include Salt Fitness in Rehoboth Beach, Enhanced Edge in Dover, Stats Sports Complex in Bear and Creekview Psychological Assessment in Newark. In the STEM division, recipients were Moonprint Solutions in Dover, G-Flash LLC of Newark, Hartlon of Wilmington, Cosmos Pharmaceuticals in Middletown and Carbon Reform of Newark.
Carney said, “Small businesses are, not surprisingly, the engine of job growth. Not just in Delaware, but across the country. They are the engine of new ideas.”
