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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">500 East Walnut Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">June 15, 2026</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Shaunda Hamilton
<br />Entrepreneurship Program Specialist
<br />Economic Development
<br />City of Columbia
<br />Shaunda.Hamilton@CoMo.gov
<br />573.441.5544</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">REDI announces recipients of 2026 Small Business Grant</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), which serves as the City of Columbia's Economic Development Department, is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Small Business Grants. The Small Business Grant program, funded by the City of Columbia, is designed to help locally owned, for-profit businesses grow, innovate, and improve operations. The program prioritizes business owners residing in economically disadvantaged areas of Columbia and aims to strengthen local economic sustainability and community impact.<br /> <br />"The application process for the Small Business Grant program was incredibly competitive," said Paul Eisenstein, the City's economic development director and president of REDI. "We received 63 applications, and these eight business owners represent the top scoring applicants. We are honored to have the opportunity to highlight their work in Columbia through this grant
."<br /><br />REDI awarded two applicants with $10,000 and six applicants with $5,000 each, resulting in a total grant funding of $50,000. This year's grant recipients exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives within Columbia:<br /><br /><strong>$10,000 grant recipients</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Krystal Martin - K&K Co.</li>
<li>Treana Cason and Shalina Reed - The Balloon Tycoons</li>
</ul>
<strong>$5,000 grant recipients</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Brandon Painter - BP Online Consulting and Management</li>
<li>Kristin Lux and Greg Grimes - For the Love of Systems, LLC</li>
<li>Jennifer Heidrich - Bronze by Design</li>
<li>Christa Holtzclaw - Steep & Bloom Tea, LLC</li>
<li>Marvin Porter - Taste Buds Snacks, INC</li>
<li>Trischa Splitter - Junebug Photography</li>
</ul>
<br />Eligibility for the Small Business Grant includes:<br />
<ul>
<li>Be a for-profit entity, registered in Missouri</li>
<li>Be located in Boone County and licensed to operate in Columbia, MO</li>
<li>Have 10 or fewer employees (FTEs)</li>
<li>Have gross sales under $250,000 in the past 12 months</li>
<li>Be willing to work with a REDI business coach</li>
<li>Have or will open a business bank account</li>
</ul>
Fifteen geographic preference points were given to applicants who reside in census tracts in which 51% or more of the households earn less than 80 percent of the area median income. More information can be found at ColumbiaREDI.com/small-business-grant/.<br /><br /><strong>Photo Caption:</strong><br />Mayor Barbara Buffaloe and City Manager De'Carlon Seewood present a check for $50,000 as part of the 2026 annual Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) Small Business Grant award ceremony. <br /><br /><em>About REDI (Regional Economic Development, Inc.):</em><br /><br /><em>REDI's mission is to assist in fostering a vibrant business environment which creates quality job opportunities that support upward economic mobility for the residents of Columbia and Boone County. REDI was founded in 1988 the City of Columbia, Boone County, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and other community leaders recognized the need for sustained economic development efforts. REDI's strategic pi
llars are business attraction, business retention and expansion, and entrepreneurship. REDI's vision is to work together with community partners in creating a better economic future for Columbia and Boone County.</em></div>
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This release has the following attachments:<br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3610">Small Business Grant Group Photo</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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