Comcast Celebrates 2025 RISE Grant Recipients in Utah

Comcast brought together Comcast RISE recipients, community partners, local officials, Comcast leaders and more from across the Wasatch Front for Comcast RISE Day: an evening of education, collaboration, networking and recognition at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper. 

This year in Utah, Comcast RISE is giving 100 small businesses a total of $500,000 in monetary grants along with technology makeovers powered by Comcast Business, creative production and media schedules from Comcast Advertising, educational resources, and business consultation services. The Wasatch Front is one of only five communities in the nation chosen for the program this year. 

“Words cannot fully describe the happiness and gratitude I feel,” said Francis Castillo, CEO and owner, JFS IT Solutions. “This grant is an incredible opportunity to overcome challenges, grow, and help other entrepreneurs leverage technology to build their businesses.”

Comcast RISE Day was a way to provide ongoing investment and help ensure the long-term success of these small businesses, which are the bedrock of economic growth in their communities. 

“Being a Comcast RISE winner is powerful validation that Michelle Leo Events is on the right track empowering me to invest where it matters, better support my team, and amplify our impact across the hospitality industry,” said Michelle Cousins, owner and principal designer, Michelle Leo Events. 

“At Comcast, we recognize that small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” said J.D. Keller, regional senior vice president, Comcast Mountain West Region. “The Comcast RISE program embodies our commitment to providing entrepreneurs with the resources to grow and flourish.”

 
Comcast RISE fuels the growth of American small businesses and helps to strengthen local communities. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the internet, provide digital opportunity, and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. 
 
To date, RISE has provided a total of $160 million in monetary, marketing and technology resources to 14,500 small businesses nationwide.