WCNC Charlotte discovered small business grants went to Beyond Open CLT Advisory Council members, discouraging some to reapply. The program defends its selections. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A $15 million grant program, aimed at helping diverse small business owners in Mecklenburg County, bestowed nearly $6 million in the first round of three, however, some applicants who were denied are questioning the selection process and wondering if it’s worth the time and effort to apply again. Joyce Saint-Cyr spent two weeks in late 2022 building the strongest application possible for a $250,000 Beyond Open CLT small business grant. Saint-Cyr had high hopes the money would help her Charlotte-based accounting firm expand. "I was very hopeful, and I felt that I had a good understanding of what was necessary," she said. "I didn’t just throw numbers around. I really put in the work." She was so optimistic about the program, she even recommended that her clients apply. "I know the struggle," she said. "When I first started, I couldn’t even put gas in my car. I couldn’t even afford lunch. This grant was just really going to help people sustain themselves coming out of COVID. This was a lifeline for so many […]
Beyond Open CLT denied 95% of small business owners who applied for grants
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