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In 2018, Downtown York PA’s Main Street organization, Downtown Inc, and the county’s economic development organization, the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) joined forces in a formal partnership. Since the announcement of this strategic affiliation, the capacity of both organizations has grown exponentially, leveraging greater prosperity and development for both Downtown York and York County.
Leveraging best practices from the Main Street approach and traditional economic development, Downtown Inc and the YCEA recognized that York’s best chance of success required an honest assessment of its weaknesses. As the York County Economic Action Plan made clear, one of the community’s biggest weaknesses was its birth-rate of BIPOC-owned and women-owned businesses, which significantly trailed national averages. From this, the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center was launched.
Under the leadership of Executive Director, Sully Pinos, the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center aims to accelerate small business ownership and success, promote pathways to prosperity for talent development, and advance representation in leadership and access to opportunities. BLOOM offers a suite of services including grants, loans, business classes, fellowships, and mentorships.
In 2018, BLOOM first began offering small business grants, followed by its first small business development courses in 2019. Post COVID, the full scope of the program was formally announced in February of 2022 with its first loan towards the goal of becoming a CDFI being awarded in December of 2022. In just a few short years, $387,978 of grant funding has been awarded to 170 small businesses in Downtown York, York County, women-owned businesses, start up entrepreneurs, and graduates of the program’s business development courses. True to its mission, 53% of these grant funds have gone to BIPOC-owned businesses with 70% going to businesses owned by women.
With the support of local partners like the York NAACP, Fulton Bank, Crispus Attucks York, Susquehanna SCORE, and Shippensburg University’s Small Business Development Center, BLOOM has seen 400 participants in its small business development courses, offered in both English and Spanish, and over 600 in attendance at the monthly BLOOM Business Series, which presents relevant and informative topics to small business owners in the York community. Topics range from digital marketing best practices, to securing certification/ procurement opportunities, authentic and inspiring storefronts, and creating a welcoming and inclusive business.
The economic impact of BLOOM in Downtown York and York County is significant, but nothing compares with the program’s human impact. “As a graduate of the BLOOM Small Business Development courses, these classes have given me a clear vision on how to start my business and the resources need to begin my business,” shares local entrepreneur Felix Vasquez.
To learn more about the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, go to yceapa.org/bloom.
Have questions? BLOOM Executive Director, Sully Pinos can be reached at SPinos@yceapa.org.
See how Atlanta’s small business owners and corridor leaders are breaking barriers through the B3 initiative, building resilience, honoring legacy, and shaping inclusive growth.
Learn proven strategies for taking over a small business from other entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated business succession.
The USDA Rural Business Development Program brought coaching and peer learning opportunities to small business owners in Wyoming, Kentucky, and California. Here is how you can also develop a business development coaching program that supports Main Street businesses, providing them with technical skills and support networks for success.
