What does your business do?

Foster Painting & Renovations has added a new division, a full-service WOMAN OWNER real estate investment company that purchases foreclosed and abandoned properties, renovates them, and makes these properties available for rent or sale to underserved populations or others as affordable housing. These groups include, but are not limited to, Section 8 housing; the disabled; the veterans with PTSD; and others who otherwise would not have the wherewithal to have a home, or even rent one.

How would you use the grant money?

If we are awarded the Awesome Project, we will use the money to purchase a computer with fax, printer and software dedicated to the new division of our business not to exceed $1,000 in cost.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?

We are looking for funding for capital to purchase a home and start our renovations. We will need about $250,000 for the purchase and renovations of the home in Columbia. We will also need to purchase office equipment and supplies and contract for a professional advertising and marketing campaign with implementation. We will also need website development and computer upgrades with software for the

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?

People today are losing their homes because of the cost for up keep. We will be helping them by having affordable prices for renovations or repairs. We will help build the community up so it can be a safe environment.