REDI awards grants to Columbia minority businesses | Mid-Missouri News [Video]

COLUMBIA — Columbia Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) announced the recipients of the 2024 Minority Business Enterprise grants on Tuesday.

The grant awards $5,000 to 10 small business owners, totaling the grant fund to $50,000.

Columbia REDI is a public-private partnership under the city of Columbia Economic Development Department that aims to attract and support businesses.

Grant recipient Ranjana Hans, the owner of Raw Roots Turmeric, was excited about the opportunity to grow her business with the city’s help.

“When I received this email that I won the business grant, I was so thrilled and excited about that,” Hans said.

The business specializes in Ayurvedic products and provides medicinal herbs. She started her business from her backyard in 2018.

REDI’s entrepreneurship program specialist said it’s rewarding to help small businesses.

“So helping underrepresented businesses get to the next level — whether it’s scaling, opening their business, it really helps them,” …