Small Business Seeks Big Grant

This article was reported and written by editors Nicole Mooradian and Gina Tenorio.

One Hermosa Beach-based small businesses is asking the community for support as it competes against other businesses nationwide for $250,000 grants through Chase as part of its Mission Main Street Grants program.

The businesses—RenterMonsters, a website that aims to connect renters and landlords—needs 250 votes on the Mission Main Street Grants website to move onto the next round in the grant process, according to organizers. Visitors to the site can cast their votes for multiple businesses.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, RenterMonsters had earned 168 votes of the necessary 250.

"With your help, we can win this and get a big boost for our community!" the business owners wrote on RenterMonsters.com. "This means continued outstanding service and more features to help landlords and renters alike!"

The voting deadline is Nov. 15. Once the voting period ends, a panel of judges will choose 12 winners from the eligible businesses.

The judging panel is made up of senior vice presidents, chief executive officers, managers and more, including U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David C. Chavern, Google Vice President of U.S. Sales and Operations Jon Kaplan and Chase Senior Vice President Donna Vieira.

Mission Main Street Grants will award a total of $3 million to small businesses across America, organizers wrote. All businesses that apply for a grant and meet the eligibility requirements will receive a special advertising offer from Premier Sponsor, Google.

In addition, the 12 grant recipients will be eligible to receive a trip to Google for an exclusive small business marketing workshop with Google experts and a Google Chromebook Pixel laptop, organizers wrote.