Grant could help businesses hire more employees

BREVARD - Two Transylvania County businesses could get help to hire more people if the county's application for a Community Development Block Grant for Small Business and Entrepreneurial Assistance is approved, county leaders said.

The purpose of the CDBG is to provide financial assistance to small businesses in order to create new jobs. The grant's total is $250,000, with the stipulation that for every $25,000 accessed, there must be a promise by the businesses to create one new job, said Mark Burrows, Transylvania County Planning and Economic Development director.

"Of the 10 jobs that must be created, seven of those new jobs must employ low-to-moderate income individuals and these two companies have informed us that is their plan," he said.

McJast Inc., a custom machining/metal-stamping manufacturing company located in Penrose, and Surface Arts, a company that fabricates and installs high-end counter tops, located in Brevard, were eligible for the grant funding under the criteria listed in the grant application, Burrows said. McJast established American Carolina Lighting, a subsidiary dedicated to the manufacturing and distribution of specially-designed electronic ballasts and lighting fixtures for high intensity discharge lighting systems.

The businesses were required to have been in existence for more than two years and employ less than 100 workers, according to the grant requirements.

"Surface Arts will receive $125,000 of the grant and they intend to manufacture a new counter top line made out of recycled glass," Burrows said. "American Carolina Lighting will receive $100,000 of the request to manufacture high intensity discharge lighting ballasts that are highly energy efficient."

Both companies will hire and train five new employees, he said. A total of eight individuals hired will have low-to-moderate incomes, Burrows added.

The remaining $25,000 will be used to cover planning, administration and small business and entrepreneurial activities countywide, he added.

Both companies have agreed to match the grant with their own funds, Burrows said. Surface Arts will contribute $50,000 over the period of the grant and American Carolina Lighting will contribute $80,000 to the project, he said.

No county funds are required to match the grant, but the Transylvania Partnership will contribute $10,000 as a match to this grant specifically to assist entrepreneurs in general through marketing and hosting business forums for small businesses in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Heart of Brevard. Burrows said he and assistant Trish Hamilton will also make an in-kind contribution by devoting 100 hours of their time over the period of the grant, totaling about $7,200.

The county agreed to allocate $5,000 in its budget to help recognize small businesses and entrepreneurs which can be applied to the grant, said Transylvania County Manager Artie Wilson.

A portion of the administration and planning funds will be used to enhance the partnership's small business database. There are 1,600 unique businesses identified in Transylvania County by the partnership, Burrows said.

"By enhancing our database, this grant not only assists these two companies, but provides a great opportunity to help other businesses in Transylvania County as well," he said.

Grant will mean new workers at businesses