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Urban League of Philadelphia Works with Google on a Pilot to Support COVID-Safe Environments for Black-owned Small Businesses with Free Google Storefront Kits

November 30, 2020

For Immediate Release

November 30, 2020 – Philadelphia, PA – Google is working with the Urban League of Philadelphia on a pilot to provide Black-owned, small and medium-sized businesses with free Google Storefront Kits and other Google services. This initiative will support safer business environments for customers and employees of eligible businesses in response to COVID-19 safety measures. This pilot program will support Black-owned businesses operating storefronts, food trucks, commercial office spaces, or customer-accessible home offices across in the Philadelphia area.

The Google Storefront Kits (NSKs) will enable businesses to begin safer, distanced customer interactions in this newfound COVID-19 climate. The kit includes three Nest Cameras, one Nest Hub Max smart display, one Nest Mini smart speaker, one Nest Thermostat, one 4a 5G Pixel Phone, and a free 12-month subscription to the Nest Aware service. In addition, Google will provide free installation for the hardware, as well as access to learning and development services through Grow with Google.

“The Urban League of Philadelphia is proud to work with Google to provide its Google Storefront Kits to small, Black-owned storefronts that have been impacted by COVID-19,” says Andrea Custis, President & CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia. “This program addresses some of the most critical needs of Black entrepreneurs by providing technology that supports safety, business continuity, and growth.

Google Storefront Kits provide eligible business owners with increased awareness and responsiveness to what is happening in their establishments, both on-site and remotely. These products also allow for innovative, COVID-sensitive methods to safely and quickly interact with customers – limiting opportunities for exposure, increasing chances of staying open, and driving business growth. The Urban League is administering this program with Google donating the products.

Eligible businesses must meet the following requirements:

  • A small business at least 51% owned by a Black/African American individual
  • A small business operating in the Philadelphia area
  • Operating as a storefront, food truck, commercial office space, or customer-accessible home office
  • Must have been operating the business for at least one year
  • 2019 Adjusted Gross Income of the business owner is less than $250,000
  • Broadband internet connection at the establishment with at least 2 Mbps upload speed
  • Must agree to completing all pre- and post-installation surveys

For more information or to apply by completing the online application, eligible Black-owned businesses must visit https://urbanleaguephila.org/gsk . For additional questions about the program, please email the Urban League of Philadelphia’s Entrepreneurship Center at ULEC@urbanleaguephila.org.

CONTACT:

Urban League of Philadelphia

Khalil Bullock | 215-406-4306 | Kbullock@urbanleaguephila.org

Keith D. Ellison | Entrepreneurship Center Program Director | kellison@urbanleaguephila.org

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