Over $11M plugged in 36 small businesses
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 18, 2019
The Small Business Bureau (SBB) has disbursed over $11M in grants to 36 small businesses in Georgetown and Berbice. The young entrepreneurs received approximately $310,000 each to either expand or start their businesses.
The businessperson – 21 from Georgetown and 15 in Berbice – completed 12 weeks of an entrepreneurial training programme under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).
Tomicia Garraway from Mocha on the East Bank Demerara is the owner of ‘Cake Excellence’ and will be using the grant to expand her venture so she can cater to more customers. Garraway takes small orders for birthdays and other small occasions.
“Receiving this grant will help to boost the business. I can purchase the tools and machines that are necessary for creating better cakes,” she stated. Garraway can be found on the Facebook page ‘Cake Excellence’.
Felicia Denny, owner of Felicia’s Design and upholstery service said she was happy to be reaping the rewards of the training. She too, like Garraway, will be using the grant to buy the necessary equipment to expand her business. Denny also proudly wore a top she designed.
Programme Coordinator, Clement Henry encouraged the entrepreneurs to use the grant as a steppingstone to further expand their business horizons. “We hope is that you will prudently utilise this grant. This is just the start – this is just an upgrade for you. We expect that you will think big so that you can continually expand your business.”
The training falls under the first component of the IDB-funded programme piloted by the Ministry of Public Security, targeting 4,000 youths in 20 communities from five regions.