Eligibility: A business is eligible to apply for a 2009 Camden Minority Economic Development Grant to purchase equipment, goods or services if all of the following can be used to describe the business:

1. It is an existing business operating from a physical address within the City of Camden.
2. It is minority-owned - 51% owned by women and/or African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, Native Americans, or any other racial minority recognized by the federal government.
3. It is registered with the City and has all permits, licenses, or certifications required to operate.
4. The business can be improved by using this grant to purchase equipment, goods or services through a Camden business.

Applications may be submitted by mail or in person. A maximum cap of $1,500 per grantee has been set.

Click here for application.

Completed Applications must be received and logged in at the offices of the Ouachita Partnership on or before May 26, 2009 at 3:00PM.

In order to be considered, the Application and required documentation must be complete and the application checklist submitted.

Completed Applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of Camden City Council Members Irene Galbert, Preston Woods and Marvin Moore. The committee is expected to rank applications and make funding recommendations to be presented to a meeting of the Ouachita Partnership Board of Directors on June 24th.

Grants will not be payable directly to grantees: Grant awards shall be in the form of a “Doing Business Locally Drawdown Account” for the purchase of goods or services from Camden businesses. The account shall be maintained by the Ouachita Partnership and may be accessed by the Grantee’s submittal of a purchase order describing the goods or services to be purchased along with an invoice from a Camden business. Payments from the account will be made by the Ouachita Partnership directly to the indicated Camden business. Monthly Account Statements shall be mailed to the Grantee until the account is expended.

Non-Availability:  If a required equipment, good or service is otherwise not available from or through a Camden business, documentation must be attached to the application.