Local businesses participate in grant competition

Staff report

BOARDMAN

A few locally owned, small businesses are in the running for a national grant competition.

But they need as many votes as they can get by Tuesday to increase their eligibility for the grants.

Ghossain’s Gourmet Mediterranean Foods in Boardman, RedHead Wine in Lowellville and others have entered the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest.

The more votes, the more chances the business has to become one of the top 100 finalists. Other factors include the vision of the business, the back story and how the business plans to use the grant funds.

There are eight $5,000 grants given, one $10,000 grant and one grand prize grant of $25,000. The winners will be announced April 21.

Ghossain’s has been in the area for 45 years. It has two locations: 3990 South Ave. in Boardman and 6261 Youngstown-Warren Road in Niles. The business initially started as a flat-bread bakery, but has expanded its deli and catering options.

The father and son owners, Fred and Joe Ghossain, plan to use the grant funds to update the seating area and renovate the store to accommodate the steady increase in the deli/cafe portion of the business.

RedHead Wine Developer Marisa Sergi is studying wine-making at Cornell University. RedHead is a sweet and spicy red-wine blend that is marketed to millennials and women. The demand for the wine already exceeds its supply, so the business needs financing and additional production equipment. The company would like to purchase a 1,000- to 5,000-gallon tank.

Columbiana County businesses participating in the grant contest are: Cutting Edge Design LLC of East Liverpool, a full-service structural steel drafting company with plans to expand; and Summer Fun Inc. in Lisbon, a pool company with hopes of improving display options to show the physical ways pools can be used.

To vote for the businesses, go to: smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/.