LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – What could you do with three thousand dollars? Small businesses have the opportunity to receive a grant of that amount.

Running a small business is harder than it seems, even for someone like Catherine Parrino, owner of gourmet boutique Crave.

“I have an MBA and I still didn’t know what that meant, so this is not for the faint of heart,” Parrino admits.

Crave qualifies for small business grants available through a partnership between the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance and Optimum. Parrino says she would use the $3,000 to grow her business online.

“We would put the money into setting up an online store and a subscription service and expanding our brick-and-mortar store online, which most people have already done. We’re just a little behind the times and that $3,000 would go a long way in helping us build that online presence,” Parrino said.

“You could put together your own gift baskets or order subscriptions – three months, six months, nine months of olive oil and balsamic. And I really believe that would create a sustainable model, whereas that’s very difficult to do in a brick-and-mortar store these days,” she said.

To be selected, you must have a brick-and-mortar store in the Optimum Service Area and have been in business for at least two years with ten or fewer employees.

Alliance President and CEO George Swift says the idea is to support small businesses and he encourages people to apply.

“We encourage people to use it to upgrade the technology in their company or do something that helps modernize their business,” Swift said.

“Maybe they want to upgrade, buy a computer or upgrade their Internet service, or they want a new sign or something else that will help the company get more attention and recognition, maybe something in the tech field,” he said.

But time is running out. The last day to apply is this Friday, August 16. Swift says the scholarships will be awarded in September.

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