Diverse Erie on Friday awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to 25 small businesses in the Erie area.
The grants ranged from $5,000 to $20,000 for a total of $291,500 and were part of Diverse Erie's Small Business Mini Grant program.
The program is funded in part by Erie County's American Rescue Plan Fund and will support businesses owned by and serving members of Erie County's Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. Targeted at companies.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs, driving economic and community development, and attracting and retaining residents,” said Divers, who led the grant ceremony Friday at the Erie Arts and Technology Center. -Erie Chief Administrative Officer Gary Lee said. 650 East Avenue
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“This diverse small business will work to promote our county and support future generations. Continued investment, especially in BIPOC communities, will help develop Erie County’s economic growth.” .”
Funds 'major aid' to recipients
Grant recipients include Steven Spearman, owner of Personal Results Fitness, 524 W 17th St. in the Little Italy neighborhood.
“We are dealing with over 100 at-risk youth,” Spearman told the Erie Times-News. “We've been a quiet organization for many years, but it's time to start getting some exposure to make sure kids get what they need.”
Spearman said he was excited to receive the $15,000 grant.
“This is a huge help,” he said. “This will be part of the funding that will go towards an expansion behind the gym. I am very grateful to this board member for taking care of my facility in Little Italy, where there is a lot of at-risk youth and poverty. I am very grateful that the association agreed.”
Dennis and Rashad Aries Grady, mother and daughter co-owners of Heavenly Hands Early Learning Child Care Academy, 1001 W. 21st St., also expressed excitement about the $15,000 grant.
“This is going to be a huge help,” Rashad Aries Grady said. “Give the children more toys for educational purposes and excursions. All the things that make childcare better. We are lucky to have this opportunity.”
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According to Diverse Erie, grant recipients are businesses located within Housing and Urban Development census tracts that primarily serve beneficiaries making less than 60% of Erie County's median income.
Lee told the Times-News that 25 winners were selected from 75 applicants. The amount of the grant was determined by several factors, including personal and business taxes, number of employees, sales level, and area of concentration.
Diverse Erie previously awarded grants of more than $300,000 to 29 other small businesses in July 2023.
grant winners
- 1 of 1 Services, LLC: $5,000
- 2 Brothers Auto Service: $15,000
- AB Superior Auto Service: $7,500
- Almadina Supermarket: $20,000
- Camaraderie BBQ Inc.: $15,000
- Cook Media LLC: $5,000
- Easter Group Daycare: $15,000
- Erie Auto Service: $7,500
- Galloway Management Group LLC: $10,000
- Heavenly Hands Early Learning Childcare Academy: $15,000
- I&M Convenience Stores: $10,000
- Joe Rental: $5,000
- Johnson Real Estate Properties LLC: $20,000
- LashedByTay BeautyCo: $15,000
- Nature's Beauty Salon: $20,000
- Pacleys Moving and Labor Services LLC: $7,500
- Personal Results Fitness: $15,000
- Property Solutions-360 LLC: $15,000
- Sacred Divine Femininity LLC: $6,500
- Sew Royalty Embroidery and Custom Designs: $7,500
- State Auto Service: $7,500
- Supreme Construction: $7,500
- Learning Ladder Early Child Care Center LLC: $15,000
- Wayne Rentals LLC: $10,000
- World of Care Inc.: $15,000
AJ Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on X @ETNRao.
