SBOP

Small Business

Opportunity Program

May 1, 2026

BusinessInClarkCounty.com

Shani J. Coleman

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (OCED)

SBOP ADMINISTRATOR

Greetings

Welcome to this month's edition of Bright Happenings. At OCED, we see firsthand the incredible innovation and resilience that drive our local small business community every day. Whether you are seeking new avenues for funding, looking to celebrate the achievements of your peers, or simply hoping to expand your network, you'll find a variety of resources available right now.



In this edition of Bright Happenings, we'll share opportunities to help you secure capital and connect with your peers this month. You’ll learn about a new loan program from Access CDFI and Anthem that offers unique, cash-flow-based funding for organizations focused on improving community well-being, health, or housing. You'll find some meaningful ways to celebrate National Small Business Week, and business-growing events, including the Nevada Small Business Resource Fair.

Last but not least, the inspiring story of Greater Youth Sports Association (GYSA) founder Devonte Woodson, who's proving an organization can grow simply by meeting the needs right in front of them.

Have a prosperous month

To your success,

Shani J. Coleman

Director, Office of Community & Economic Development

SBOP Administrator

For Nevada organizations working to improve access to health, housing, or community well-being in underserved communities, a new, unique loan program may offer an important path to capital.

"We recently launched a program with Anthem, a major medical insurance provider," said Access CDFI Business Analyst Charles Riley. "Unlike our main business models, which are exclusively for Nevada-based for-profit businesses, these new loans are for both for-profit firms and nonprofits."

That distinction matters for organizations whose work improves people's daily lives but who may not fit a traditional lending box.

Riley said the loans available through Access CDFI's partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation are intended for organizations engaged in work "hoping to improve the physical, behavioral, or social health of either individuals or communities."

That could include efforts such as a small developer creating affordable housing, a therapy clinic expanding its services, a provider serving children with disabilities, a recreation center, or even a healthy food business in a socially vulnerable area or among low- to moderate-income individuals.

For business owners and nonprofit leaders, the invitation is to think broadly about impact. If your organization helps people live healthier, safer, or more stable lives, it may be worth asking whether this program is a good fit. Loans range from $100,000 to $500,000 for up to five years, and Riley noted that "the interest rate is prime minus one," making it an unusually accessible option for mission-driven work.

Access CDFI may also be helpful for business owners who have been turned away by banks or worry that their credit history will stop the conversation. Riley said, "We strategize specifically to target Nevada small businesses that otherwise may not necessarily be able to get bank loans. The most unique thing about Access is that we are a cash-flow-based lender. It means, unlike most lenders, especially big banks, we don't really care too much about personal or business credit. We care entirely about the business's cash flow."

The best time to reach out for a loan is before you feel completely ready, especially if your financial records need attention. Access CDFI offers guidance and technical assistance to help business owners prepare for consideration. As Riley emphasized, organizations still need documented financials to move through underwriting.

To learn about eligibility, visit accesscdfi.com and click Apply Now. If you have questions or need more guidance, you can contact Charles Riley via email at Charles.Riley@accesscdfi.org, or download this Anthem Fund Fact Sheet.

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National Small Business Week is a time to honor the resilience, innovation, and pride that define America’s small businesses. They're the engines of our local economy, building stronger communities and driving growth. This year, the Nevada District office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has proudly announced the 2026 small business award winners, recognizing individuals who truly serve as the heartbeat of our communities.

Congratulations to all of this year's honorees, including SBOP alum Best in the West Safety, Inc., led by CEO Dianne Hale, who was selected for the Legacy Small Business Award of the Year, and SBOP resource partner College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and Eric Garner, Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development, who received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award of the Year. These leaders exemplify the dedication and risk-taking spirit that fuel our local economy.

Last, but not least, we congratulate Nikolay Poptchev and Rima Poptcheva, owners of AmeriBrunch Café in Las Vegas, who won the 2026 Nevada Small Business Persons of the Year. They will now compete for the national award in Washington, D.C.

Here are Two Ways to Celebrate National Small Business Week

SBA Awards Luncheon

Friday, May 8, 2026 | 11:00 am - 2:30 pm

Join the community in formally recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of this year's Nevada SBA award winners.

See Details and Register

National Small Business Week Virtual Summit

Tuesday, May 5 - Wednesday, May 6, 2026

This free, two-day virtual event offers educational presentations by industry experts, free business resources, and advice from America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). Topics include leveraging AI, accessing capital, winning new clients, and more.

Register Here

The County’s Office of Community & Economic Development (OCED) is partnering with Lemon Tree Cafe to host mobile Office Hours for business and property owners who want to explore the District A Tenant Improvement Grant of up to $25,000. 

If you own or lease a commercial space in unincorporated Clark County District A and want to improve your location, this is your opportunity to meet with OCED Senior Economic Development Specialist Kathleen Taylor while supporting a business in your district. Get technical support, ask questions, and learn about resources to help you plan for eligible improvements. 

Walk-ins are welcome during the dates and times below.

Learn More And Apply



To learn more about grant eligibility, visit https://growamerica.org/clark-county. Owners can apply at ndc.smapply.io/prog/DistrictA.

Many small businesses and nonprofits look for growth by asking, "What can we add next?" Greater Youth Sports Association (GYSA) founder and CEO Devonte Woodson's story suggests a better question: What need do we see right in front of us, and who can help us meet it well?

The nonprofit GYSA's recent $10,000 grant from Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick's office shows how relationships, resources, and information can help an organization grow with purpose, affecting thousands of lives.

Woodson founded the nonprofit GYSA nearly nine years ago after trying to help a student who seemed to be in trouble all the time. At the time, Woodson taught PE at a Title I school and coached basketball. He noticed a student who struggled with behavior, attendance, and connection, but showed up differently in PE, where he did well. Woodson made him a simple offer: stay out of trouble for one week, and he would host a free after-school sports clinic.

Devonte Woodson

FOUNDER & CEO

GREATER YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION

The student kept his promise. Woodson kept his. The response was overwhelming, and when participation grew to 150 kids, Woodson knew the program was something important.

Students didn't just need another sports league. They needed structure, mentorship, belonging, and a reason to stay connected to school. So he built a program around that need.

"We're a youth development sports program," Woodson said. "Youth development is number one for us, and the sports is just the anchor that gets kids in it."

Before practice, students participate in a social-emotional learning curriculum that helps them build character, confidence, positive decision-making, conflict-resolution skills, and stronger connections to school.

Today, Greater Youth Sports averages about 25 schools per season and expects to reach 35 to 40 schools in the coming year. The organization has impacted about 12,000 children overall and reaches around 2,000 students annually.

Woodson first met Commissioner Kirkpatrick at a school championship assembly. Later, as he listened to school principals, he heard the same needs again and again: uniforms, equipment, and help with registration costs.

The grant is helping support five Title I schools with uniforms, sports equipment, cheer support, and registration assistance. Woodson said the funding will reach at least 360 students, and likely 450 to 500, because the organization ordered extra uniforms so schools could include more children.

GYSA's award-winning work has earned significant recognition, including being named a Henderson Nonprofit of the Year finalist twice, acknowledgments from the Senate, and earning founder Devonte Woodson a 30 Under 30 honor from the National After School Association.

For business owners and nonprofit leaders alike, the GYSA journey illustrates that growth does not always start with doing more. Often, it starts with listening carefully, solving a real problem, and remembering the purpose behind the work. Woodson offers simple advice: "Know why you started." He said he began because "it doesn't exist," and when others could not fill the gap, he thought, "I guess I'll have to build it."

To learn more about GYSA, to partner, or get involved, visit greateryouthsports.org or contact Woodson at Devonte@gysanv.org.

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