Community Loan Fund awards COVID-19 small business grants

Schenectady, NY The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region awarded $121,000 in grants to small businesses impacted by COVID. These grants are part of the City of Schenectady’s Small Business Assistance Program and will help businesses adjust to the challenges of the pandemic.

The grants were awarded at a special ceremony on October 29^th, 2020 at the Schenectady Empowerment Center, located at 140 Erie Blvd.

This grant program will also offer technical assistance and training, specially designed to help businesses to build basic skills and to respond to rapid change during the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic shutdown has devastated communities across the country,” mayor Gary McCarthy said. “This program is designed to support local small businesses impacted by the pandemic. I would like to thank the Community Loan Fund and our dedicated staff for their efforts to coordinate this critical relief funding.”

“Small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges. These grants are a lifeline for these businesses. This money will help them keep their doors open, lights on, and spirits up as we work through the next stage of this pandemic,” said Linda MacFarlane, executive director of the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region.

Grants were awarded to the following businesses:

• Bittersweet Candy

• BKJ Construction

• Cussin’s Nails

• Dealz

• Exit Bar and Lounge

• GWalk Cleaning Service

• Greater Environmental Resources

• Happy Electric

• Howard Construction Safety Training & Consulting

• JAFJR Construction Services, LLC

• Electric City Photography

• MC Transportation

• Mutual Design

• Peter Pause Restaurant

• Red Door Beauty & Wellness

• HNJ We Do It All, LLC

• Roy’s Caribbean Restaurant

• Rushmestuff, LLC

The Small Business Assistance grant program received a strong response; the program received 53 applications during the first month. A full 43% of these applications were from minority and women-owned businesses, and grant recipients include restaurants, daycares, hair salons, small boutiques, and construction and transportation companies.

Grants were awarded to these 18 businesses to cover payroll, rent, utilities, materials, PPE and new app development to help businesses operate more efficiently during COVID. The program will continue to accept applications for grants until the remainder of funds have been expended.

The Small Business Assistance Program has been funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) stimulus funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to prevent, prepare, and respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.