I’m Sitting in the Rooms Where Small Business Funding Is Discussed—Here’s Why That Matters

Today, I attended a City Council noticed workshop focused on the CBA Grants Program—one of the funding mechanisms designed to support small businesses here in Jacksonville.

Why am I telling you this?

Because this is exactly where early information lives before opportunities are widely circulated, summarized in newsletters, or shared on social media.

Too often, small business owners hear about funding after deadlines pass or when requirements are already locked in. Being present in these meetings gives context you don’t always get from a flyer or a headline.

Here are a few key takeaways I want business owners to understand:

1. Funding conversations happen in public meetings—quietly

Grant programs, eligibility changes, oversight discussions, and improvements to processes are often discussed during:

➡️ City Council workshops

➡️ Committee meetings

➡️ Inspector General briefings

➡️ Ordinance summaries

These are public, but not always well-attended by business owners.

2. Getting on your city’s email list matters more than you think

Most cities (including Jacksonville) send:

➡️ Council agendas

➡️ Workshop notices

➡️ Public hearings

➡️ Department updates

If you’re not subscribed, you’re relying on someone else to summarize it for you and that’s risky when money is involved.

3. Grants aren’t just about applying they’re about understanding the system

Today’s discussion wasn’t just about dollars. It was about:

➡️ How programs are administered

➡️ Accountability and oversight

➡️ What’s working and what needs improvement

That insight helps businesses prepare better, ask smarter questions, and position themselves ahead of time.

Why I Stay in These Rooms

Part of my work is making sure small business owners don’t miss opportunities simply because they weren’t “in the know.”

That means:

➡️ Attending meetings

➡️ Reading ordinances

➡️ Listening to how funding decisions are shaped

➡️ Translating government language into real-world action steps

Action Step for Business Owners

If you do one thing this week, do this:

➡️ Subscribe to your local city council and economic development email alerts

➡️ Scan agendas for words like grants, funding, small business, workforce, procurement

➡️ Pay attention before the application opens

And if you want help staying on top of funding opportunities without digging through agendas every month, stay connected here and on my email list. I’ll continue sharing what I’m seeing, hearing, and tracking so you can focus on running your business.

Your business bestie,

Patrina