Santa, But Make it Economic Development

Your December guide to giving local businesses something better than another committee meeting.

Every December, destinations are out here shoving “Shop Local” into the universe like a prayer candle. But do you know what REALLY supports your small businesses, makers, STR hosts, restaurateurs, and scrappy entrepreneurs?

Actual dollars. Actual credits. Actual grants.

So instead of another “holiday campaign recap” no one reads, here’s what you can circulate to your partners, members, and business owners TODAY to make you look generous, strategic, and wildly in tune with the needs of your community.

Consider this the Holiday Gift Guide no one else in tourism will give them.

Let’s go.

🎄 YOUR FREE-MONEY TOOLKIT TO SEND YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

Yelp’s $200 Small Business Credit

A free December visibility boost, no budget request required. Perfect for: cafés, boutiques, salons, STR hosts, and anyone needing a little holiday spotlight. https://business.yelp.com/

Amazon Small Business Grants (Up to $25,000)

No hoops. No sales quota. Just a legitimate grant application. Perfect for: makers, retail shops, local products, artisans, and e-commerce hybrids. 🔗https://business.amazon.com/en/small-business/small-business-grants

FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

Cash + marketing support + production value. Tell your businesses to treat this like Shark Tank but with shipping labels. https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html

Visa She’s Next (Women-Owned, $10K Grants)

Visa understood the assignment: fund the women keeping downtown alive. https://usa.visa.com/run-your-business/women-owned-business.html

Comcast RISE Support Packages

Not cash — but services, media, creative, and tech upgrades that cost thousands. A gift that saves real money in Q1. https://www.comcastrise.com/

The Amber Grant ($10K Monthly)

The easiest, most consistent women-owned grant out there. Your makers + boutique owners will love you for sending this. https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/

NASE Growth Grants ($4K)

A little boost that makes a big operational difference. Great for equipment, tools, software, training. https://www.nase.org/become-a-member/grants-and-scholarships

Local Bank CRA Micro-Grants

DMOs: Tell your small businesses to CALL YOUR LOCAL BANKS. December is when they’re trying to hit compliance numbers. Money magically appears. Start with local bank and credit union websites.

Hello Alice Grants (Varies)

A nonstop conveyor belt of funding opportunities. Send this link and you’ve given them a full-year pipeline. https://helloalice.com/grants/

🎁 WHAT DMOs SHOULD DO WITH THIS LIST

Copy/paste this into:

• Your stakeholder newsletter

• Partner updates

• STR host groups

• Chamber collaborations

• Small business roundups

• Visitor economy briefings

Suggested intro for your partners:

“Instead of another December meeting, here’s something better: a roundup of funding and grant opportunities available to our local businesses right now. Please share widely and take advantage of anything that supports your operations heading into 2026.”

You’re welcome.

🎁 FINAL WORD FROM SANTA JENN

Economic development isn’t just big projects and ribbon cuttings. Sometimes it’s handing your business community a list of real dollars they can grab before the year ends.

And if one of them wins a grant?

Tell them to send you cookies.

Tell them to send me a cookie.

Tell them you’ll be running more alignment magic in 2026.