Seven-year-old Ali watches his father, Majid, a falafel shop owner, write out a list of things he would like to use micro grant money for in order to provide better service for his customers during a visit from Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, May 6. Photo by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth

Hamamiat Iraq – There’s an empty space where a front window should be, letting in flies that climb over food waiting to be sold to customers, while dust coats the shelves at a hole-in-the-wall falafel shop in Hamamiat.

Shop owner, Majid Saadoon Noor, is caught in a catch-22. He believes that with improvements to his shop, he can double his business. However, because he isn’t drawing in enough customers, he can’t make enough money to afford those improvements. He also is unable to secure a small business loan because they are unavailable from Iraqi banks.

There is help. U.S. forces are offering micro-grants to Iraqi small business owners to help grow the local economy.

Company B, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment Soldiers visited Majid’s falafel shop and another business to hand out paperwork for the shop owners to apply for the micro-grants.

Funding for micro-grants comes from the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program, explained Staff Sgt. Carl Hendricks, a squad leader with B Company, 2nd Bn., 23rd Inf. Regt.

Commanders in the battalion, working with local Iraqi leaders, choose businesses they feel would be the best candidates to help boost the local economy, foster security and leave a positive impression in the community long after the brigade redeploys.

Through micro-grants of up to $5,000, business owners can purchase air conditioners, windows, appliances and furniture, something Majid said he would like for his shop to make his customers happier.

“I’m looking forward to improving the service provided,” said Majid.

Local citizens and members of the Iraqi security forces view the falafel stand as a main stop for food, so getting the owner better conditions for his products helps the people in that area, said Hendricks.

At a nearby sewing shop, which also serves as a school where Iraqi women learn how to sew, a different need was identified.

Unlike the falafel shop, the work area in the sewing shop does not need as much structural work. However, the women lack many of the necessary supplies for sewing, such as fabric and thread.

The head teacher at the school also filled out paperwork given to her by the Soldiers to apply for a micro-grant.

“It’ll help [the populace] so that when we do leave, they’re able to have food and have their schools,” said Hendricks. “They can be independent.”

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Story by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth

Majid Aubied Sahail al Azouy (right), owner of a hardware store, signs a micro-grant receipt as Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Jack, of A Troop, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, watches, Sept 21. Al Azouy plans to provide more electrical supplies to the local villagers. A Troop, based out of Williamson, W.Va., issued nine grants in one day to help stimulate the economy in its area of operations. Photo by Spc. Ruth McClary

Nine Iraqi businessmen in southern Baghdad gave broad smiles and many thanks as they received micro-grant payouts, Sept. 21, from Soldiers of A Troop, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, that improve economic conditions in their communities.

Funding allocated through the brigade commander’s Emergency Relief Fund was distributed to the businesses in the al-Radwaniyah, Mufargi and Fetoah marketplaces, about 15 miles southwest of Baghdad.

“This was my first time giving out micro-grants,” said Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Jack, of Seth, W.Va. “I usually work with micro-rewards, which are pay-outs for tips to stop terrorist activity; it works like crimestoppers in the U.S.”

Nearly $43,000 in payouts were given to upgrade four grocery stores, a restaurant, an auto repair shop, a butcher shop, a general store and a hardware store.

“Opening a butcher shop in this area would decrease the travel time for transporting fresh meats to this area,” said Ahmad Abdullah Husen al Azouy, of the Abu Amur marketplace. “Local herders can bring their livestock to the market for butcher or sell them to me.”

“My store provides common products like blankets, mattresses and clocks,” said Sarmad Samey Mahmoud al Mufargi, a general store owner in the Murfargi village. “The grant will help me expand to include a repair shop.”

Each business caters to at least 150 customers in its local area, and they also double as community communication hubs; providing people with information that can affect the entire area. All of the owner’s expansion plans will create more jobs and stimulate the economy.

Samy Yahyaa Aheya Jaabir al-Janabi, a Mufargi falafel restaurant owner, wants to add a grill and expand his area to house more supplies. Majid Dafak Saiel, an al-Radwaniyah grocery store owner, threw up his hands, thanking Allah for the grant. He plans to upgrade his store and increase supplies.

The squadron has submitted nearly 40 grant applications with 20 payouts to date that include a fish and dairy farm expansion and an internet and phone center. Grant approval is based on the overall impact the improvements will have in the community. Recipients from these payouts submitted applications back in July.

“I was really glad to finally have follow through on the micro-grant project after many months of waiting,” said 1st Lt. Timbur Nersesov, of Los Angeles. “It is an opportunity for U.S. forces and the government of Iraq to impact our relationship with the locals.”

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Story by Spc. Ruth McClary