CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire / April 8, 2026 / The KeyBank Foundation is investing $300,000 in Connected Communities to support small businesses and commercial property owners located in the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods through its Small Business Fund.
Supporting small businesses through targeted investment
The Small Business Fund, a new project within Connected Communities' Economic Empowerment pillar, provides grants to support capital improvements, including façade upgrades, lighting, signage, interior repairs, accessibility enhancements, and safety improvements-immediately enhancing the appearance, functionality, and walkability of the corridors. Grants will range from $2,500 - $10,000. Participating businesses will engage in peer support through Founder's Tables at the Connect Lab, along with connections to additional funding opportunities and business resources.
This neighborhood corridor approach helps drive improvements that lead to measurable business stability, increased customer activity, and stronger commercial presence for locally owned enterprises.
Building economic momentum in EMMA and Beechwood
"Local small businesses create jobs, energize neighborhoods, and keep commercial corridors active," said Vince Lecce, KeyBank Rochester Market President. "This investment pairs targeted capital improvements with hands-on guidance so entrepreneurs can strengthen operations, attract more customers, and remain rooted in EMMA and Beechwood. It's an approach designed to build business stability today and economic momentum for the community tomorrow."
At the community level, the fund will help reduce vacancies, activate storefronts, and improve safety and visibility along key blocks. By investing directly in existing businesses-and pairing that investment with practical guidance, partner support and warm handoffs-the project builds a self-sustaining network of entrepreneurs who can grow, collaborate, and remain rooted in place. This work helps lay the foundation for long-term economic vitality and positions Connected Communities as the community quarterback guiding equitable commercial revitalization in EMMA and Beechwood.
Connected Communities' Place-Based Approach
As the Community Quarterback, the organization builds on neighborhood strengths and partners with residents to implement the Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan-advancing cradle-to-career education, mixed-income housing, community wellness, and economic empowerment so families and businesses can thrive.
"This investment from the KeyBank Foundation allows us to strengthen the small businesses that make our neighborhoods vibrant and economically resilient," said Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith, Executive Director of Connected Communities. "This program aims to stabilize and revitalize neighborhood corridors while reinforcing the role of small businesses as anchors of community life. By supporting physical improvements and providing hands-on technical assistance, we are helping local entrepreneurs build businesses that are visible, welcoming, and positioned for long-term success. When our neighborhood storefronts thrive, the entire community benefits-businesses grow stronger, more resources become available to residents, and aesthetic improvements help enhance the value and appeal of surrounding homes."
"This investment reflects KeyBank's commitment to locally led, place-based solutions," said Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank's Corporate Responsibility Officer in Rochester. "By pairing capital with technical support through trusted community partners, we're helping small businesses in EMMA and Beechwood strengthen their operations and remain anchors in their neighborhoods for the long term."
Building Impact Across Rochester
This effort builds on KeyBank's broader history of community-driven philanthropy, economic mobility initiatives, and inclusive banking investments. Since 2017, KeyBank has invested more than $1.2 billion in Rochester, supporting affordable housing, small business and home lending, and transformational philanthropic initiatives.
Learn more about how KeyBank helps clients, teammates, and communities thrive by making meaningful investments in the places it's proud to call home.
Find more stories and multimedia from KeyBank at 3blmedia.com.
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SOURCE: KeyBank
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/keybank-foundation-supports-emma-and-beechwood-businesses-with-300-0-1155993
