$150,000 grants given to Region 10 small business owners

On Wednesday, more than 80 small business owners from Region 10 received grants of $150,000 GUY from the Small Business Bureau (SBB) to help boost their businesses.

It was noted that they are the latest to benefit from a series of distribution exercises conducted by the agency.

The event was held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Board Room in Linden.

“I’m very excited I’ve waited quite a while for this, I can’t wait to get this cheque cashed and get my business up and running, it’s been long overdue, I’m very grateful for the grant, this initiative it’s such a great one and I hope that everybody that benefitted can put this to good use,” Rashauna Sue, one of the beneficiaries said.

Cindy Sheckle, another beneficiary, revealed, “I’m elated…it’s long overdue I’ve been waiting a while, so I’m elated to cash the cheque and actually invest back into my business.”

It was pointed out that Carl Joseph is also one of the persons who has been waiting for a while to uplift his grant.

“In Ranger [previous] government you had to borrow and you had to pay back and this here is freeco, I accept and I thank father for the lil blessings and father must bless the people them who prepare this,” he was quoted as saying.

Poultry farmer, Premwantie Dindyal, another beneficiary, pointed out that the grant will help boost her production, “I feel very happy because we wait a very long time for it and I feel very happy, at least it gon help boost the business,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the SBB, Mohamed Ibrahim stressed that this is just one of several ways that the agency helps small businesses across Guyana.

“We had people in poultry rearing, in agri, lots of small vendors and people who just are willing to develop and grow their businesses,” he said.

It was added that several more distributions are planned for Region Five on Thursday and Region three on Friday.