More Businesses in Charlestown Qualify for City Business Grants

Continuing a policy of rapid, equitable, and transparent relief and support from the COVID-19 pandemic to all Bostonians, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that nearly $4 million in debt-free grants have been distributed to over 1,100 small businesses in every neighborhood across the City of Boston through the Small Business Relief Fund, including the $2 million distributed to businesses earlier this month.

The businesses receiving grants represent industries most-impacted by closures, policies, or general loss of revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout every neighborhood in Boston.

“I’ve said it many times: small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy, and they provide residents with the services they depend on every day,” said Mayor Walsh. “Through the Small Business Relief Fund we have been proud to support Boston’s small businesses with a swift and direct infusion of funds through a fiscally responsible and equitable system that will help businesses stay open, pay employees, and strengthen our local business districts.”

In Charlestown, the businesses that have received grants include:

•Asana Charlestown

•Boston Novelties LLC

•Charlestown Tea & Treats, Inc.

•Convenience  365 Market & Deli

•Cut-Splice

•Don Stevenson Geek For Hire

•Essem Art Studio LLC

•Geneva General Contracting

•Giambastiani Design

•Harbinger

•Junebug

•Mary Curtin Productions

•Moroccan Suites Boston

•Nectar & Green

•On Again Consignment, LLC

•Savvy Sitter, LLC

•Sleepy Panda

•Sojuba

•Studio 310 Beauty Salon

•The Bacon Truck

•VIBE Wellness

•WAGS Charlestown

Of the nearly $4 million that has been distributed, the top five industries funded represent small businesses in the most-affected industries, including hospitality, personal care, arts and recreation, retail, and healthcare and social assistance (home childcare, family services, personal and home care aide, etc). Of the businesses receiving grants so far, 95% have 15 or fewer employees, 52% are owned by people of color, 49% are women-owned, and 46% are immigrant-owned. Grants from the Small Business Relief Fund have been crucial to the survival of many Boston businesses, and serve as a lifeline for businesses that experienced difficulty navigating or accessing financial assistance through the Federal CARES Act.

Managed by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED), this fund was designed to disburse grants through a streamlined process without having to assume additional debt, which can be used to address rent, fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, lost sales, lost opportunities, and other working capital expenses. Through a combination of City, Federal, and private funds, a total of $7.5 million has been made available to fully fund all remaining eligible grant requests that were submitted during the application process.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.