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Freelancer wins US$6.7m task order with NASA and the National Institutes of Health in gene editing

FREELANCER.COM

Freelancer Limited (ASX: FLN, OTCQX: FLNCF), the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, today announced it has won a US$6.7 million task order for NASA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director (OD) Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) Office of Strategic Coordination (OSC). NIH seeks two, three-phased contests to encourage technology development in two areas of strategic significance as part of Phase II of the NIH Somatic Cell Genome Editing (SCGE) program: A highly efficient (e.g. 50%+ editing efficiency) non-viral delivery system capable of crossing the blood brain barrier to deliver genome editing machinery to a majority of target cell types in the central nervous system. A programmable (e.g. 3+ configurations) delivery system to deliver genome editing machinery that can target specific tissues or cell types. Somatic cell genome editing holds great promise in treating various diseases. However, current techniques in genome editing approaches, such as those based on CRISPR-Cas9, pose many challenges that need to be overcome before they can be widely used in the clinic. For example, the delivery of genome editors to clinically relevant cells and tissues and achievement of editing efficiency that is adequate for addressing human diseases. These contests will be administered under the America COMPETES Act and will be launched on Freelancer.com with a total prize purse of US$6,000,000 (GMV). This is the biggest task order to date under NASA’s NOIS2 and to be selected is testimony to the company’s track record of delivery to date under the program. It is expected that FLN will generate approximately US$700,000 in net revenue contribution for this task order. About the NIH SCGE Program The NIH Common Fund’s Somatic Cell Genome Editing (SCGE) program is working to improve the efficacy and specificity of gene editing approaches to help reduce the burden of common and rare diseases caused by genetic changes. SCGE is developing quality tools to perform and assess effective and safe genome editing in non-reproductive (“somatic”) cells of the body. These research tools will be made widely available to the research community to reduce the time and cost required to develop new therapies. About Freelancer Twelve-time Webby award-winning Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 60 million registered users have posted over 20 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, astrophysics, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer owns Escrow.com, the leading provider of secure online payments and online transaction management for consumers and businesses on the Internet with over US$6 billion in transactions secured. Freelancer also owns Freightlancer & Loadshift, enterprise freight marketplaces with over 550 million kilometres of freight posted since inception. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN and is quoted on OTCQX Best Market under the ticker FLNCF. End Contact Details Freelancer.com Marko Zitko +61 404 574 830 mzitko@freelancer.com Freelancer.com Sebastian Siseles +1 415-801-2271 sebastian@freelancer.com

September 29, 2022 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CSG Systems International to Hold Third Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call on November 2

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) invites you to participate in a conference call on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss the company's third quarter 2022 earnings results. The conference call will feature CSG president and chief executive officer Brian Shepherd and CSG chief financial officer Hai Tran. To reach the conference, call 1-888-412-4131 and use the passcode 2327393. Click here to join a webcast of CSG’s earnings call in live or archived format. About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

September 29, 2022 07:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

VEHICLE CRIMES CRISIS

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/c2wvGfOBa7Y Crime continues to skyrocket across the nation with vehicle crimes increasing to near record highs. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) found nearly 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2021, and 2022 is looking even more grim for vehicle owners. Recent analysis shows vehicle and catalytic converter thefts and carjackings are continuing to rise. NICB’s data includes information on the following topics: Total auto thefts are the highest seen by the NICB since 2008. Catalytic converter thefts are up 1,215% since 2019, and are continuing to increase. Carjackings are up dramatically in many major cities. There is a new warning for anyone who owns or leases a vehicle: Vehicle Thefts, Catalytic Converter Thefts, and Carjackings are continuing to rise. According to NICB, there were more than 933,000 thefts of vehicles in 2021, a 27% increase since 2019. Catalytic converter theft insurance claims increased by 1,215% over 2019. Carjackings, the theft of a car by force or intimidation, continue to skyrocket in many major cities, increasing anywhere from 160% to nearly 530%. For more information, visit National Insurance Crime Bureau website at NICB.org Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 28, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Ready for Ron Pushes Federal Election Commission on Sharing “Draft” Petition Signers

Ready for Ron

Ready for Ron, the only credible organization working to draft Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to run for President, stepped up its fight with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) today. At issue is whether Americans have free speech rights to “draft” candidates, with the FEC attempting to prevent Ready for Ron from sharing the names of those who want to draft him with Governor DeSantis. Ready for Ron filed a second round of public comments with the FEC challenging the Democrat Commissioners’ arguments at a recent public hearing related to Ready For Ron’s request to share its Draft petition and signers with DeSantis. Prominent Republican campaign finance attorney Dan Backer recently argued at a public hearing in favor of Ready for Ron’s request to share the list of supporters with DeSantis both before, and during, a potential candidacy – as an act of Constitutionally protected political speech. In the filing today, he and Chief Legal Counsel Lilian Rodriguez-Baz offer a nearly 25-page argument citing binding D.C. Circuit Court precedent and legislative history of rejecting the exact proposal. “The FEC would stop Ready For Ron from sharing a petition – the quintessential form of free speech – unless we also charged for it.” Dan Backer added. “Act Blue does the same thing we propose – sharing support names and contact information on a vastly larger scale – millions of individuals – while funneling well over a billion dollars a cycle”. “The FEC is fine with Act Blue doing this to support Biden, as long as money is involved, but when the speech is actually free or is bad for Biden, suddenly it must be suppressed’” Backer continued. The filing concludes arguments with the following: “…This Commission, undeterred by a lack of any constitutional, statutory, or regulatory grant of power to regulate draft committees at all, has asked RFR for precedent justifying an action the Commission itself lacks precedent for prohibiting. The Committee has now afforded the Commission the benefit of precisely that binding D.C. Circuit precedent, the consistent rejection by Congress of the Commission’s repeated requests and proposals for such power, and the Commission’s own advisory opinions permitting precisely this activity. The Commission cannot ignore the reality it has approved tens of millions of political transactions accounting for billions of dollars in federal political activity – potentially as much as a third of all federal political contributions – in which contact information is conveyed from a contributor, through a conduit, to a candidate. It would grossly pervert the protection of the core constitutional rights of free expression and political association for this Commission to hold RFR could provide its signed petition to Governor DeSantis only if it forced signatories to make a monetary contribution to a draft fund to be transmitted to him for the privilege of signing…” “FEC Democrats are happy to do all they can to prevent Ron DeSantis from beating the pants off Joe Biden in 2024. Their latest shameful effort to limit free speech once again puts them on the wrong side of the Constitution,” Backer noted. “More than a thousand people a day are signing this petition to let Ron DeSantis know they support him and want him to pursue a White House run. If the FEC persists in suppressing free speech, we are confident the Courts will once again put our rights ahead of their bureaucracy.” The FEC previously rejected two draft advisory opinions, both of which would have prevented sharing the Ready for Ron petition signers with DeSantis while a candidate or “testing the waters,” but differed on whether it could be done while he was a private citizen. Democrat commissioners went so far as to suggest that even being asked to consider running for office could constitute “testing the waters” – a vast, unprecedented attempt to expand the FEC’s regulatory power over speech and ideas. “I want the commission to tell me what exactly is ‘testing the waters,’ because my rights are not subject to an amorphous standard,” Dan Backer told Politico as he left the FEC meeting. “Ready for Ron will be aggressive and will pursue litigation should the commission try to throw up barriers.” Commission Chair Allen Dickerson appeared taken with Ready for Ron's arguments, and the matter now goes back for a third draft attempt by the FEC. A new draft advisory opinion is expected in the coming days to form policy around a “testing the waters” standard. “We are disappointed some on the FEC are once again standing in the way of political speech and freedom of association. Millions of Americans want Ron DeSantis to run. Signing their names to Ready for Ron’s draft petition is the ultimate act of political free speech and association, and there is simply no basis to say they cannot give those names to the Governor if – and when – he heeds their call and runs. We’ve notified the Commission of our intent to file additional Public Comment on their next draft – addressing the silly arguments raised by some Democratic Commissioners – and if Litigation is where we end up over their partisan recalcitrance, we are confident we will prevail,” Backer continued. Ready for Ron pursued the novel step of submitting a formal Advisory Opinion Request to the FEC seeking to share its supporter list with Governor DeSantis to encourage him to run, and – if successful – once he announces his candidacy. Since its launch in late May, Ready for Ron enlisted tens of thousands of supporters, generated significant media attention, and run hundreds of ads to help convince Ron DeSantis to run for President. Ready for Ron has emerged as the only credible and significant independent organization in support of Ron DeSantis. Americans are encouraged to sign the petition at http://www.readyforron.com to draft Ron DeSantis to run in 2024. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with ‘Ready for Ron’ legal counsel, Dan Backer or Lilian Rodríguez-Baz, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or dan@readyforron.com. Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 dan@readyforron.com Company Website https://www.readyforron.com/

September 27, 2022 04:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time

EXCLUSIVE: CEO Of Edtech Company Amesite (NASDAQ: AMST) On Student Loan Forgiveness And More — “Loan Forgiveness Offers Some Relief Wanted… But We Know It Does Not Solve The Root Problems”

Amesite Inc.

Learn More about Amesite Inc. by gaining access to the latest research report Benzinga recently sat down with Ann Marie Sastry, CEO of emerging edtech company Amesite (NASDAQ: AMST), to discuss student loans and forgiveness, going too far with education reform, the future of education and more. Sastry shares, “We have to figure out how to distribute education and training so that we don’t break the bank. Given the advantages that college degrees confer, it would be crazy to end degree programs. But, we also need system-wide revisions when we are persistently generating huge amounts of debt in the delivery of skills… We have to address the root causes of the problem.” Sastry discussed the ongoing changes in society and the labor market, and how emerging trends will likely continue to disrupt and give reasons for workers across skill levels to continue their education journey. “Jobs are getting more and more technologically driven, and so if you have to go to Google to find a course for truck driving and platforms and logistics… you want to be able to go to a trusted source and buy that product. It’s about distribution channels, who has the trust, and who has the ability to distribute. Our university system has a great ability to distribute – if every university serves their own learners.” Sastry hammered home the point that many difficulties being faced are not always what they may seem, and that exorbitant marketing budgets to entice prospective learners toward a specific product may be contributing to high costs, and creating inefficiencies where there need not be any. Many universities are rightly afraid of trying to “boil the ocean” in offering professional programs, knowing that they will compete with bigger brands, established players, and private companies. A success model for the vast majority of universities is to focus on their own pre-college recruits, undergraduates and alumni, offering them programs that build skills that they know they need. To do this, they need to deliver a great experience on their own brands, delivered affordably and using marketing channels they already have. Amesite’s software powers institutions such as Wayne State University and its proprietary learning community called Warrior TechSource. The university reports a 98% retention rate across its programs and received positive user reviews in the first three years it worked with Amesite. In Sastry’s words, “Amesite enables these institutions to launch on their own brands, and utilize their own, third party or Amesite-created content, to assemble portfolios that meet learners’ real needs. When we look at what’s happened with student debt, and look at the different ways that universities can create sustainable revenue and deliver products that aren’t grossly expensive, one of the biggest ways is to cut down on marketing and focus on supporting the cohorts that they already have access to with learning products that are relevant and timely.” Upskilling In The Era Of Digital Transformation? “What we’re doing right now in society is not sustainable, and online is going to be the way that the vast majority of professionals will be upskilled… Just-in-time learning is the most important type of learning for society, and for US competitiveness” said Sastry. Technology has created new possibilities for people looking to learn new skills required for a new or challenging position. With good internet connectivity, anyone can enroll in an online course, certification, or degree program provided by platforms such as Coursera Inc. (NYSE: COUR), Udacity, edX and 2U Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU). However, concerns about the quality of materials and instruction offered by these online course providers has seemingly also grown. Amesite reports disrupting the education technology (ed-tech) sector by bringing technology that might significantly help to improve the user experience through solving credibility and usability issues. “Amesite enables a change in the distribution model, instead of funding a huge degree of marketing… at the end of the day, you can deliver things at a small fraction of the cost. Our disruption in the business model doesn’t require that the infrastructure gets turned upside down, just like Uber and Lyft didn’t require that new roads get built.” To learn more about Amesite, visit https://clients.tradigitalir.com/amst/ Amesite Inc., an artificial intelligence driven platform and course designer, provides online products in the United States. The company uses machine learning to offer a mass customized experience to learners. Its customers include businesses, universities and colleges, K-12 schools, and non-profit organizations. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Amesite, Inc. +1 734-876-8141 info@amesite.com Company Website http://www.amesite.io

September 27, 2022 02:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time

COMCAST TO OPEN NEW XFINITY STORE IN EDINA, MINNESOTA

Comcast Twin Cities

Comcast today announced the opening of its newest Twin Cities area Xfinity Store in Edina, Minnesota. Located in the popular France Avenue area, this interactive retail and product demonstration showroom is designed entirely around the customer experience, providing an opportunity to explore and interact directly with the latest Xfinity products and services. The nearly 5,000 square foot store is located at 7101 France Ave S, Edina MN 55435, in the Rue de France Shopping Center, and will open to the public on Friday, Sept. 30. This opening marks the 15 th Xfinity Store in the Twin Cities. With a welcoming and interactive environment that highlights Comcast’s entertainment and technology offerings, customers can interact with all Xfinity products from internet, video and connected home solutions to Xfinity Mobile, a simple, flexible, affordable wireless plan designed to save customers money. “Comcast is an important part of the Edina community and we congratulate them on this new store,” said Jim Hovland, Mayor, City of Edina. “The France Avenue area is a great location and we welcome the Comcast employees who will be serving Edina customers from this new Xfinity store.” Xfinity store employees will happily demonstrate the X1 entertainment platform, show how to use xFi tools to manage home internet functions (like shutting it down at dinnertime or bedtime, or ensuring the security of your network), as well as educate customers on the free mobile apps available so you can take your saved TV programs and movies on the go with you wherever you are. Rachel Johnson, Comcast Twin Cities’ vice president of Sales and Marketing is excited about the new store. “It’s an amazing location right off France Avenue, so we’re expecting it to be very easy for the community to access.” She went on to say, “Xfinity has such a compelling story to tell with our unbeatable internet and mobile, as well as other products and services. A new, exciting physical location for our customers to come in and hear about our products is the right investment to make.” The new store will employ 15 people, and will offer customer-friendly hours, open to from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. ### About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Jill Hornbacher +1 651-425-1695 Jill_Hornbacher@comcast.com Company Website https://twincities.comcast.com/

September 27, 2022 08:00 AM Central Daylight Time

All That Glitters Has Often Been Considered A Good Investment

APMEX

With inflation skyrocketing, some analysts are back to saying that now may be the optimal time to invest in precious metals. Because the price of precious metals tends to rise at or above the rate of inflation, many investors view them as a hedge against inflation or other economic uncertainties. Precious metals have many practical uses in technology and equipment, which often helps them keep their value. Precious metals also can be less risky than stocks because they have intrinsic value, offer a high level of liquidity and help diversify a portfolio. But just like any other investment, buying precious metals usually requires knowledge and research to determine the best course of action. Investors likely should stay on top of fluctuating precious metal prices so they don’t buy them when they’re priced too high. Traders often use several ways to invest in precious metals, including commodities futures, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). You can also invest in companies like McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX), Great Panther Mining Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN: GPL) or TRX Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN: TRX) with a focus on exploring for, mining and marketing precious metals. But investing in the physical metal is more appealing to some investors who want to diversify their portfolios. Investing in physical metals comes with risks because they’re not immune to price declines. Direct investments in precious metals also are not covered by the Securities Investor Protection Corp. because they are not registered securities. But when you buy bullion, you get the actual metal and can choose where to store it and when to sell or trade it. A Gold Mine Of Information? Although it may seem complicated, investing in precious metals might not have to be intimidating or confusing, and one e-commerce retailer says it is committed to helping investors make the right decisions for their portfolios. Oklahoma City-based APMEX offers more than 20,000 products, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium, that it reports can generally be acquired at a lower rate than equivalent products from primary mints and manufacturers. The company’s best sellers are silver and gold bars, silver and gold coins from different countries and gold foil notes. Its metals’ prices, based on demand, range from $5.65 for a one-tenth-ounce silver round to $58,869.54 for a 1 kilogram, cast-poured gold bar. The company also offers unique designs from vintage replicas of popular coins to special occasions like birthdays. For more information, check out apmex.com. APMEX is one of largest, oldest and most trusted sources for Precious Metals. Over the last 22 years, we have served over 1.3 million customers and processed over $13.5 billion in sales. We offer the largest selection of Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Copper items from investment- grade products to collectibles. APMEX has the prestigious title of Authorized Purchaser with the U.S. Mint. APMEX has over 155K customers reviews with an average 4.9 out of 5 rating. We also offer a wide variety of free educational content, charting and portfolio tools, and custom alerts and notifications on our website and mobile app to provide our customers with the latest industry news. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details APMEX. Inc. +1 405-595-2100 service@APMEX.com Company Website https://www.apmex.com/

September 27, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Medicare Plan

YourUpdateTV

As the next Medicare enrollment period approaches, seniors face a wave of new challenges, including crushing inflation, higher cost of living and impending Medicare changes from the Inflation Reduction Act. Recently, Medicare Expert and Author of new book called It’s Not That Complicated, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss some costly mistakes that seniors make when choosing a plan and some resources that can help. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/5H_g5GihHMA With this extra economic pressure piled on top of the existing complexities of the system, seniors have never needed more help in figuring out how to make the most of their Medicare plan selections. Most seniors say that Medicare is confusing, and many end up in plans that fall short or cost too much. That’s what motivated Ari Parker to write a new book called It’s Not That Complicated. Parker, a Stanford Law School graduate and Medicare expert, has helped thousands of seniors enroll in Medicare as a licensed advisor. In the book, he shares the three Medicare decisions critical to protecting your health and wealth, and the three costliest mistakes seniors make in choosing Medicare plans: 1. Not having access to all plans they’re eligible for 2. Not considering how their individual health needs affects their selection 3. Not understanding how their lifestyle can make certain plans more advantageous For more information on the Annual Enrollment Period and Ari’s book It’s Not That Complicated, visit askchapter.org/ari. People can also call 888-802-1674 to talk with a representative ready to help. About Ari Parker: Ari Parker is one of the country’s leading Medicare experts. He has helped thousands of Americans sign up for Medicare by breaking it down into simple, bite-sized pieces. Ari’s work has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, CBS Moneywatch, MarketWatch, Huffington Post, and many other publications. A graduate of Stanford Law School, he trains and leads Chapter’s team of 30+ licensed Medicare advisors. He lives with his wife and two dogs in Phoenix, Arizona. His book "It's Not That Complicated: The Three Medicare Decisions to Protect Your Health & Money" was released in mid-September. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 26, 2022 02:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

CITY OF SEATTLE PARTNERS WITH COMCAST TO ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

Comcast Washington

Today, Comcast announced that it will award an additional $1 million in grants to small businesses owned by women and people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others, in King and Pierce counties. Expanding on the foundational work of Mayor Bruce Harrell and the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development to establish regional partnerships that support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Comcast will award $10,000 cash grants to 100 small business owners. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Tacoma City Council Member Keith Blocker, along with representatives from the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, joined Comcast today at Work and Play Lounge in West Seattle to announce the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. Beginning on October 3 and through October 16, eligible businesses can apply for a $10,000 grant at www.ComcastRISE.com. “Small businesses make our communities vibrant places to live and work, and they have shown tremendous resilience over the last two years,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “The Comcast RISE grants will provide a boost for women and BIPOC-owned small businesses in Seattle, investing in an equitable recovery for our city and giving these businesses that make up the very fabric of our communities the tools needed to thrive.” According to a 2022 survey, almost all small businesses (97%) are concerned about inflation, and rising costs are the most significant threats small businesses currently face. Boosting revenue from online sales has become the No. 1 priority for small businesses. Some past Comcast RISE recipients have used their grants to expand their presence online. To offer some relief and help small businesses continue to grow and adapt, Comcast RISE was formed in late 2020 to give small businesses owned by people of color the grants needed not just to survive but thrive. In November 2021, Comcast RISE announced a major expansion to all women-owned businesses nationwide. Also, as early as March 2020, the Seattle Office of Economic Development identified the need to provide SBA disaster loans to local small businesses impacted by COVID and also launched the Small Business Stabilization Fund at that time. Last fall, more than 100 small businesses owned by people of color in King and Pierce Counties were awarded $1 million in total grants as well as technology and marketing resources, bringing the total to more than $2 million to date. These recipients are part of the more than 9,500 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected as Comcast RISE awardees since the program’s inception. One of the local grant recipients from last year is Margie Haywood, owner of Work and Play Lounge. “As a self-funded business of more than seven years, facing racism, barriers, rejection, and no access to funding like so many others, the Comcast RISE grant came at a pivotal time in my journey. It was the first money from any institution I had ever received. In the reality of the true cost to run a business, it might not have seemed like much to others, but between the award letter and $10,000, it gave me more than just capital to prevent my business from closing,” said Margie Haywood, owner of Work and Play Lounge. “It gave me and my family joy, hope, and confirmation that we are seen and qualify as business owners who deserve to participate in the business ecosystem. I am more confident after winning, that I am making the right decision as an entrepreneur, that when you use business to build community, advocate and invest in others without expectation of return or benefit, much like Comcast Rise Investment Fund is doing in marginalized communities, you will always get a positive return on investment.” The Seattle-Tacoma Metropolitan area is among five major metros that also include Chicago, Miami, Oakland, and Washington, D.C., which were selected to award a $10,000 grant to 100 local businesses from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund for a total of $5 million across 500 businesses, bringing the amount awarded nationwide to $21 million to date. Through Comcast RISE, the company also announced it will support 13,000 small businesses, owned by people of color and women with monetary grants; a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv; or computer equipment, internet, voice, or cybersecurity from Comcast Business by the end of 2022. “Independent small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and Comcast is committed to supporting them,” said Rodrigo Lopez, regional senior vice president, Comcast Washington. “We encourage small business owners to apply for the Comcast RISE program. The grant may cover any need to help your business survive and thrive. We know no single relief effort can solve historic and systemic inequities overnight, but Comcast is committed to taking tangible actions that can drive long-term impact for change.” In addition, Comcast RISE invests in ongoing mentorship and resources to help businesses succeed over the long term. The program has partnered with Ureeka, an online platform for entrepreneurs, to provide grant recipients with business coaching to help build skills in company foundation, growing customers, and financial stability. All Comcast RISE recipients will also have a specialized online networking community within Ureeka with access to educational resources, sources of capital, and vetted experts such as U.S. Black Chambers, National Asian Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Walker’s Legacy and Operation Hope. Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment,” provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color and women nationwide to apply for grants for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services Grant: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey 30-second TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and a 90-day linear TV media campaign. Consult: Digital audits by Ureeka in the form of Website Repair Reports and SEO Keyword reports to target website mechanics and effective organic marketing Technology Makeover Grants: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as internet, voice, and cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.) Monetary Grants: Monetary grants can be used for any business expense. In round one, which was announced in April of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. In round two, which was announced in September of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $6 million in grants to 600 small businesses in six cities: Miami, Houston, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. In round three, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided an additional $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color and women in five cities: Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Twin Cities. As noted above, in round four, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund will provide $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses in Chicago, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. About City of Seattle Office of Economic Development The Office of Economic Development (OED) is committed to building an inclusive economy in the City of Seattle. OED works at all levels of our local economy to support small and micro-businesses, partner with neighborhood business districts, support creative business sectors and workers, partner with key industries that drive innovation, job growth and global competitiveness, and invest in our local workforce with an emphasis on young people, low-income, as well as un-and under-employed adults. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Andy Colley andy_colley@comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

September 26, 2022 10:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Communications

Freelancer wins US$6.7m task order with NASA and the National Institutes of Health in gene editing

CSG Systems International to Hold Third Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call on November 2

VEHICLE CRIMES CRISIS

Ready for Ron Pushes Federal Election Commission on Sharing “Draft” Petition Signers

EXCLUSIVE: CEO Of Edtech Company Amesite (NASDAQ: AMST) On Student Loan Forgiveness And More — “Loan Forgiveness Offers Some Relief Wanted… But We Know It Does Not Solve The Root Problems”

COMCAST TO OPEN NEW XFINITY STORE IN EDINA, MINNESOTA

All That Glitters Has Often Been Considered A Good Investment

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CITY OF SEATTLE PARTNERS WITH COMCAST TO ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES