By the numbers: Keep it Local Grant round two recipients
Thirty local businesses are the latest recipients of a second round of Keep it Local, COVID-19 Innovators Grant funding. Through an additional $225,000 allocated from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) through the City of Rochester, businesses are able to collaborate with local service providers on various projects like integrating new technology or business models in response to COVID-19.
By the numbers, here's a quick glance at the Keep it Local Grant recipients!
$225,000 available through City of Rochester CARES funding
113 applications reviewed
30 grants awarded
14 of the grants awarded were to women, minority, and veteran owned businesses, amounting to 48 percent of total funding
A good example of the type of partnership the Keep it Local Grant creates is like the one between Chinese Chinh's Express and Fagan Studios.
With a Keep it Local Grant award, they are creating an online store for Chinese Chinh customers to order to-go food and help establish an online presence, which the restaurant does not currently have.
"We had to close our restaurant for six weeks at the beginning of the pandemic," said Kunthea Meach of Chinese Chinh's. "By establishing an online presence, we hope to increase awareness of our restaurant to more downtown workers and visitors staying in hotels. This will entail bringing in more revenue for our business."
For Pasquale Presa of Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria, the Keep it Local Grant will be used to adapt his business model to sell its frozen pizzas to offset the loss revenue of dining in. This converted model helps feed local, keeps Pasquale's staff working, and provides an additional service.
"'You do good and good comes back to you.' We are very thankful for the amazing community we live in! This grant will help us continue to find way to help our community by providing the best pizza, comfort, safety, and more for everyone's soul."
Above all, the Keep it Local Grant is designed to help business explore new ways of doing business. With a grant award of its down, Dahabshiil Fashion is doing just that. Its Keep it Local Grant project includes building a new point of sale counter with plastic laminate tops and front and safety barrier.
"Our business is minority owned and we have been impacted [ by COVID-19] in decrease of customers. Currently we have some covering to prevent exposure along with physical distancing. However, customers still feel more could be done to restore the safety and health of the business.
A full list of Keep it Local grant recipients and their service providers is below.
Keep it Local, COVID-19 Innovators Grant Recipients:
With questions about the Keep it Local Grant, please email info@rdowntownalliance.com or call 507-216-9882.
Updated information 9/30 @11:05am LARC