PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program supports eligible Black-owned small and mediums-sized businesses operating storefronts, food trucks, commercial office spaces, or customer-accessible home offices.

The National Urban League is administering this program. Google is providing  the products and free installation for the hardware, as well as providing access to free, online training that helps small businesses learn new digital tools to grow their business through Grow with Google.

Google is a trademark of Google LLC.

FAST FACTS:

WHO: Eligible black small and medium-sized business owners operating in Chicagoland area.

WHAT: FREE Google Storefront Kits (GSKs) which includes a combination of:  (3) Nest Cameras, 1 Nest Hub, 1 Nest Thermostat, and a free 12-month subscription of the Google Nest Aware service

BONUS: Google will provide free installation for the hardware at your business, as well as access to free, online training that helps small businesses learn new digital tools to grow their business through Grow with Google.

PROGRAM FEATURES

Google will provide eligible Black-owned businesses with Google Storefront Kits (GSKs) which includes a combination of: (3) Nest Cameras, (1) Nest Hub, (1) Nest Thermostat and a free 12-month subscription of the Google Nest Aware service.

These kits will enable businesses to establish safer, distanced customer interactions in this newfound COVID climate.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Google Storefront Kits provide eligible business owners with increased awareness and responsiveness to what is happening in their establishments, both on-site and remotely.

These products also allow for innovative, COVID-sensitive methods to safely and quickly interact with customers – limiting opportunities for exposure, increasing chances of staying open, and driving business growth.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

• Google Nest Camera – A smart WiFi security video camera for monitoring your business. It has an HD image sensor for high quality video, night vision, and a basic speaker and microphone. Notifications are sent to your phone when the camera senses motion or hears a loud sound and is available for indoors. Learn more

• Google Nest Hub – A 7″ smart display with speakers that you can control using a tap or your voice. You can play music or videos, control your compatible smart devices, or see your calendar. It also has a camera that you can use to make and receive video calls, or monitor what’s happening inside your business using the built in camera. Learn more

• Google Nest Thermostat – the most affordable, truly smart thermostat with features that help save energy, offer remote control via the Google Home app, and keep an eye on your heating and cooling system to catch issues early. Learn more

• Google Nest Aware – A subscription service that provides you:

  • 30 days event video history

  • Intelligent alerts when your Google Nest devices (cameras, speakers and displays) detect sounds or a person

  • Ability to choose important areas and get alerts when something happens there

  • Create and send clips from your video history to friends or family. Learn more

Eligible firms must be:

• A small business at least 51% owned by a Black/African American

• A small business operating in the Chicagoland area.

• Must have been operating the business for at least one year

• Operating as a storefront, food truck, commercial office space, or customer-accessible home office

• 2020 Adjusted Gross Income of less than $250,000

• Broadband internet connection at the establishment with at least 2 Mbps upload speed (To check your broadband speed, visit this site and click on the blue “RUN SPEED TEST” button.)

• Must agree to completing all pre- and post-installation surveys

• Please note:

  • Eligible businesses are only allowed to receive one kit (i.e., businesses with multiple locations can only receive one kit).

  • Eligible business owners are only allowed to receive one kit (i.e., applicants that own more than one business may only receive one kit).

  • Only one kit is allowed per establishment (i.e., applicant that owns more than one business at the same address may only receive one kit).