Small business owners can apply for financial help from the County Commissioner Sally Heyman’s office.

Local businesses located in county commission District 4, which includes Northeast Miami-Dade, are invited to apply for the annual Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program. Applicants may be eligible to receive up to $5,000, depending on the number of applicants.

Grants can be used to purchase equipment, supplies, inventory, commercial liability insurance, security systems, advertising and marketing expenses, as well as for minor renovations. Applications will be accepted Jan. 14 through Feb. 8.

The grant program provides technical assistance to create better working and business environments, promote economic development opportunities and educate owners about county-funded programs and projects.

The program also training that small business owners may need to become more efficient and competitive.

Business owners interested in applying for the 2013 District 4 Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program must be have businesses that are at least two years old, employ no more than seven employees, and cannot be currently in default or in non-compliance with any county loan or grant program. Businesses cannot be affiliated with a national chain, and business owners cannot own more than two businesses.

Applications must be received no later than noon on Feb. 8. Completed original applications can be mailed or delivered to:

Commissioner Sally A. Heyman, District 4 Office

1100 NE 163rd Street, #303

North Miami Beach, FL 33162

Only one application per business will be accepted. Non-profit agencies are not eligible for funding. Home-based businesses are welcome to apply. Businesses that received funding in the past can apply, but priority will be given to those businesses that have never received funding. Illegible, incomplete, or faxed applications will be disqualified.

Guidelines for the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program require that each approved recipient attend a business training workshop, to be scheduled at a later date.

To see if your business is located within District 4 or for more information, call 305- 787-5999. Applications are available at www.miamidade.gov/district04.