Gardner to grant ARPA $650K to small business

Photo | Courtesy of City of Gardner The City of Gardner received $650,000 in ARPA funds during a ceremony with Mayor Michael Nicholson and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (fourth and fifth from right, respectively).

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By Alexander MacDougall

The City of Gardner announced on Thursday it was receiving $650,000 in grants in order to help small business and economic development, using federal funds meant to provide relief from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds come from the American Rescue Plan Act, a measure signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021 to help economic recovery via a $1.9-trillion stimulus. Of the $650,000 received by the city of Gardner, $400,000 will be used as grants for businesses with 50 or fewer employees to pay for costs incurred as a result of the pandemic.

Each qualifying business will be eligible to receive $25,000. For businesses that were considered shuttered venues – such as restaurants and entertainment venues – the limit for employees is increased to 75, and they are eligible to receive $30,000. The remaining funds would be used for loans to go toward improving signs and improvements to building facades, said Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson in the Thursday press release.

“The City has continuously worked to try to find new ways to help our economy recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nicholson. “I’m happy to announce these new programs for small business assistance and shuttered venue grants, outdoor seating legislation, and funding to fix building exteriors and signage to continue to help our local businesses come out of these trying times strong.”

The new ARPA funds coincide with a new city ordinance to implement outside dining in Gardner, where restaurants and food trucks can apply for outdoor seating license, utilizing new provisions put in place by Gov. Charlie Baker during the start of the pandemic.

The city’s receiving of the funds was announced by Nicholson and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-Gardner).

“Our small businesses are the heart of our community — but they’re also some of the organizations that were hit hardest by the pandemic,” said Trahan in the same press release. “As we work to build back stronger than before, we must take action to support our small businesses in their recovery.”

Businesses and property owners interested in applying for the Business Assistance Grants or Sign and Facade Loans can contact Jessica DeRoy, city economic development coordinator at jderoy@gardner-ma.gov. Restaurants interested in outdoor seating can contact Building Commissioner Roland Jean at rjean@gardner-ma.gov.