LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Some businesses in La Mesa may receive a portion of $350,000 in grant funds, the City of La Mesa announced Thursday.

The city said it revamped its La Mesa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP), two years after the program’s inception.

While the first two years of LEAP concentrated on helping entrepreneurs get their businesses started, the third year of the program has been restructured to focus on existing brick-and-mortar businesses recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In partnership with the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the city is offering approximately $350,000 in grant funds to about 35 businesses in La Mesa.

Each participating business may receive $10,000 of the funds to go toward their growth and success.

In order to receive the money, business owners are required to attend advising sessions and complete business training courses.

Upon completion of the program, business owners can use the funds to help their business with costs related to labor, equipment, inventory, permits and more.

LEAP was approved in 2022 and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to encourage entrepreneurship in La Mesa. Since the start of the program, 12 people have signed leases to start their businesses.

The online application for this year’s cohort will be available from Monday to April 30 through the ECEDC’s website. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis subject to availability of grant funds.