The City of Kinston and Downtown Kinston Revitalization is partnering with Duke Energy Foundation to offer grants between $500 and $2,500 to small businesses for COVID-19 past cost reimbursements or new business and property improvements. Downtown Kinston Revitalization was awarded $25,000 through the program and will distribute the funds to businesses within city limits.

“Downtown Kinston Revitalization has been working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to serve and promote downtown business owners during this incredibly challenging time,” said Sarah Arney, the Community Development Planner. 

The deadline to apply is January 1, 2021. The requirements for eligibility are that the small business has less than 50 employees, be within the city limits of Kinston, and include a six-month plan for the work to be completed. 

“The best thing we can do to bolster small businesses is to lessen the financial losses they experienced during restrictions and to help them make important changes to safely attract customers in the future,” said Arney.

Applications are available online at downtownkinston.com or on paper at the Kinston Enterprise Center located at 327 N. Queen Street, or by email at sarah.arney@ci.kinston.nc.us.

Interested business owners will complete an application that requires a summary of the business, an explanation for how COVID-19 has impacted the business, and how the funds will be used. 

“We are happy for Duke Energy’s support of our downtown and expect this financial assistance to be helpful for our Kinston businesses,” said Downtown Kinston Revitalization Executive Director Leon Steele.

After the business submits its application, Downtown Kinston Revitalization’s Review Committee, a group of staff, board members, and volunteers will review the applications and notify approved businesses within two weeks. 

 “The Duke Energy Hometown Revitalization Grant is an important program we need to support downtown Kinston,” said Arney. 

Applications will be taken on a rolling basis and reviewed for eligibility until January 1, 2022. The Downtown Kinston Revitalization Review Committee will review applications and award them by January 15th, 2022.