Kinetic Business by Windstream announced it will provide another round of funding and support for Black-owned businesses, this time targeting businesses anywhere in the Kinetic footprint. Eligible businesses can receive grants of up to $2,500, as well as a year of free internet services and a free business consultation to discover potential products and services that could result in efficiency improvements. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will continue until funding is exhausted.
New or established businesses must be located in a Kinetic Business service area. They also must be a Kinetic broadband internet customer. Other requirements include the following:
- Businesses must be black-owned
- Must have 25 or fewer employees
- Must be a for-profit business
- Must be in an eligible industry, excluding liquor and gun stores, pawn shops, adult entertainment businesses, and check-cashing agencies
- Must not be in bankruptcy proceedings
- Not applicable for multiple businesses
About the Black Business Support Fund
Kinetic Business provides premium broadband and managed solutions across 18 states. The company started its Black Business Support Fund in 2020 and, through the program, has awarded a total of $300,000 in cash grants.
“When we started the fund, the pandemic was having a disproportionate effect on Black-owned businesses across the country, so the grants were just keeping the doors open for our neighbors’ businesses,” said Lorenzo Clark, vice president of digital sales for Kinetic and president of the Windstream Black Professional Network Committee. “Now that things have stabilized a bit, these grants are helping businesses that often don’t have good access to capital to grow.”
“It’s extremely gratifying to not only support other businesses in our service area, but also be the kind of partner that lifts up the entire community so everyone can thrive and pursue their dreams,” Clark said.
Supporting growth and equity for black business owners
Kinetic Business’ website states that in a typical year, Black business owners are rejected for loans from traditional sources two and a half times more often than Caucasian business owners.
“Without support and access to capital, these businesses are in serious danger,” the website reads. Following is a quote from Clark which reads, “We want to do our part to stabilize this important economic sector in the communities we serve.”
How eligible businesses can apply
Full Eligibility terms for the grants are available here. Interested applicants can apply by contacting Kinetic Business at (866) 445-5930.
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