Reconstruction continues in Baghdad: Local business owners receive micro grants

Photo By Mark Matthews | A local Iraq business owner provides the appropriate identification and paper work...... read more read more

Photo By Mark Matthews | A local Iraq business owner provides the appropriate identification and paper work prior to receiving his $2,500 micro grant. Micro grants like these help fight terrorism by allowing Khadra citizens' to enjoy their lives and start businesses, said Redlinds, Calif., native 1st Lt. Raymond Ashworth, Company C, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. (U.S. Army Photo/Sgt. Mark Matthews, 27th PAD)  see less | View Image Page

JOINT SECURITY STATION KHADRA, IRAQ

01.14.2008

Story by Sgt. Mark Matthews 

27th Public Affairs Detachment

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By Sgt. Mark Matthews
27th PAD

JOINT SECURITY STATION KHADRA, Iraq -- As security in Baghdad continues to improve, Soldiers remain vigilant in their mission to not only protect the Iraqi people, but to provide them financial assistance as well.

Local Iraqi business owners and future business owners lined up in front of Joint Security Station Khadra to receive micro grants from the U.S. military in order to repair their shops, start a business, or buy goods to restock the shelves, Jan. 13.

"We paid out 13 micro grants worth about $31,500," said Battle Creek, Mich., native Capt. Jason Alday, 1st battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, currently attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "This basically helps stimulate the economy throughout the Khadra area."

Each local business owner or hopeful business owner in Khadra must meet basic requirements and go through an application process in order to be eligible for a micro grant.

"Business owners looking to receive a micro grant must first fill out an application and state what their business is and where they live, and as long as they own a business, rent a store or plan on renting or owning a store in Khadra, the grants are available to them," said Redlinds, Calif., native 1st Lt. Raymond Ashworth, C Company, 1st Bn., 64th Armor Regt.

These micro grants not only help local business get back on their feet, but also provides business owners with peace of mind in knowing these grants do not have to be paid back and they are contributing to a positive way of life, absent of terrorism, for the Iraqi people.

"These are something they do not have to pay back," Ashworth said. "We're handing them out in order to start up the economy, which helps us fight terrorism because as long as people are enjoying their lives and starting businesses they are not going to want to support (terrorism)."

Each individual micro grant was worth up to $2,500 and was given to a Kharda citizen to help improve their existing business or start a new business.

"(Business owners) can use these funds to buy supplies and merchandise for their shops or fix broken windows and broken doors," Alday said. "This basically revitalizes the economy in this area."

These 13 micro grants were the most recent of 182 micro grants totaling more than $400,000. These were the first given to the people of Khadra, but Alday says he's seen these work in other areas before.

"We've seen from other areas that after we paid out these micro grants, to local business owners, other stores in the area who didn't receive micro grants would open as well, just based on the perception of security and economic activity in the area," Alday said.

The micro grants seem to really be paying off for other business owners who have received grants. Other financial districts in Baghdad have begun to flourish as a result. The hope is Khadra will be no different.

"(Micro grants) have really been taking hold and everyone seems to always ask about them," Alday said. "Phone Card Road for example has about 1,000 stores in a two mile stretch and maybe 50 of these stores were open. Now, due to our micro grants we are seeing upwards of 300 of these stores open."

"In about two weeks we will return and have a look at each store to see if the money is being used for what (the business owners) said it would be used for," Alday said. "For the most part, we are pretty pleased with what they are doing and if they aren't spending the money on their stores, they are still putting the money into the economy, which still helps out in the long run."

Although Alday was the man behind the desk handing out the money to local business owners in Khadra, he also said the operation is a team effort and takes the hard work of many Soldiers to successfully accomplish the mission.

Micro grants, like these, continue the reconstruction efforts in Baghdad by allowing financial district to grow and expand. As time progresses, more stores and markets are expected to flourish as a result of the steadfast and loyal Soldiers of the Multi-National Division – Baghdad.