Local nonprofit Pacific Gateway Center has received a $75,000 federal grant to help foster the development or expansion of small businesses by low-income entrepreneurs or companies with economically disadvantaged employees.

Honolulu-based Pacific Gateway was one of 58 nonprofits from 32 states and the District of Columbia to receive funding under the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to the federal agency.

The program intends to provide access to capital, management and technical assistance, business training and counseling to small businesses with five or fewer employees who are economically disadvantaged, or to businesses owned by low-income individuals.

For more information, visit www.pacificgatewaycenter.org.

5 KAUA'I MCDONALD'S PUT UP FOR SALE

McDonald's Corp. is selling its five company-owned restaurants on Kauai.

The restaurant chain, through a spokesman, confirmed a sale is pending, though a buyer is not being identified until the transaction is completed.

McDonald's has 74 restaurants in Hawaii. The Oak Brook, Ill.-based company owns 26 of the stores, while the other 48 are owned by franchisees.

On Kauai, three restaurants are in Líhu'e, one is in Waipouli and one is in Ele'ele. All five will continue to operate under the McDonald's name.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION MAY BE REIMBURSED

The federal government is offering to reimburse much of the cost for Hawaii organic food producers and processors to obtain organic certification.

Organic farmers and livestock operators requiring annual certification approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture can apply for repayment of 75 percent of the cost of inspection and certification up to $750.

There is $75,000 available under the program through a cooperative agreement between the state Department of Agriculture and the USDA. It is the second year that these reimbursements have been available to Hawaii farmers.

A similar program has $15,000 available for certification of organic processors and handlers.

Funds are available for certification obtained from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2010.

Applications and more information are available at http://www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/add/md/OrganicProducers.