Small Business Impact Awards: New Bern Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Construction Resilience
The Raleigh Chamber Foundation is launching Small Business Impact Awards to help small businesses remain accessible and competitive during the construction of Raleigh’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
These one-time awards will support North Carolina-based small businesses along the New Bern Avenue corridor as you navigate construction-related disruptions and make strategic investments that strengthen operations, customer access, and team engagement.
These one-time awards will support North Carolina-based small businesses along the New Bern Avenue corridor as you navigate construction-related disruptions and make strategic investments that strengthen operations, customer access, and team engagement.
Award Details
Eight small businesses will be selected to receive:
- Eight awards of $2,500 each
- One additional $2,500 bonus award for the overall best idea
Who Should Apply
Your business is encouraged to apply if you:
- Were founded in North Carolina
- Have fewer than 50 employees
- Are located within 1/4 mile of the New Bern Avenue BRT corridor
Eligible Uses
Impact Awards support practical, one-time investments that help businesses stay visible, accessible, and resilient during construction. Eligible uses may include:
- Equipment such as portable signage, outdoor seating, mobility aids, or point-of-sale systems
- Technology including e-commerce tools, digital platforms, or scheduling software
- Renovations such as temporary accessibility improvements or small interior adjustments to improve customer flow
- Inventory purchases that help businesses adapt to changes in customer traffic
- Marketing and advertising including “we’re open” campaigns, promoted social media, and neighborhood outreach
- Staff engagement and morale through team training, customer experience enhancements, or staff well-being initiatives
How It Works
Record and submit a short 2–3 minute video through our platform describing how your business will use a $2,500 Impact Award to strengthen customer access, improve resilience, or support your team during BRT construction. A written option will be available if needed.
Applications will be reviewed by a peer panel of small business owners. Judges will evaluate submissions based on:
Applications will be reviewed by a peer panel of small business owners. Judges will evaluate submissions based on:
- Creativity
- Feasibility
- Community benefit
- Alignment with eligible uses
Recognition for Award Recipients
Selected businesses will be recognized through a coordinated outreach effort that may include:
- A Chamber-hosted breakfast event
- Social media promotion
- Local media outreach and press coverage
- A feature in the Chamber’s weekly e-newsletter
Why This Matters
The New Bern Avenue corridor is home to small businesses that define the character, culture, and economic strength of East Raleigh. With support from the Duke Energy Foundation, these awards are designed to help businesses adapt during construction and to benefit from the new connectivity and opportunities the BRT line will bring.
By supporting visibility, accessibility, and resilience now, these awards aim to strengthen the small business community along the corridor for the long term.
By supporting visibility, accessibility, and resilience now, these awards aim to strengthen the small business community along the corridor for the long term.
Application Timeline
Applications are now open through May 8. Award payments will be distributed by June 30.