COLUMBUS—The Colum- bus Business Revitalization Grant (CBRG) is an extension of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and its purpose is to empower chamber members to enhance and improve their businesses and non-profits. All chamber members, in good standing with the chamber, were eligible to apply for grants up to $5,000.
Due to the successes of Magnolia Days Festival (MDF) in recent years, MDF committee chairman, Amber Becerra, used that success to lead the Chamber Board in laying the groundwork for a grant program to provide financial assistance to local businesses and non-profits for special projects.
“This community rallies together, and the way our spon- sors, citizens, and visitors show up to bring our town to life for Magnolia Days, and all year long, it just makes sense that we put that support back into our businesses, so we can keep growing,” Becerra said.
The CBRG officially rolled out in late October of 2022, and the Grant Committee met in early February to review and approve grants. A total of $19,251.66 in grant money was awarded to five deserving busi -
nesses and non-profits.
A Better Columbus (ABC) received monies to add and im - prove trash receptacles around the Courthouse Square and around town. CBRG was proud to present All Thai’d Up money to improve signage at their loca tion on Walnut Street.
Live Oak Art Center received funding to help pay for new exit signs at the Gallery and Twisted Steel Design in Weimar will be adding a new awning to their storefront with help from CBRG. And lastly, Chef Raoul Catering received funds to pur chase a new dough sheeter to make beignets, so be watching for those at Country Market, Magnolia Days Festival, and other events in town.
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is pleased to award these grant recipients and looks forward to seeing their finished projects.
The next grant cycle will start on Oct. 1 of this year.
