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 by Erie County’s share of the American Rescue Plan Fund and targets businesses owned by and serving members of Erie County’s Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs, driving economic and community development, and attracting and retaining residents,” said Gary Lee, chief administrative officer of Diverse Erie, who led the grant award ceremony Friday at the Erie Arts and Technology Center, 650 East Ave.
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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 are a ‘huge help’ for recipients
Grant recipients include Steven Spearman, owner of Personal Results Fitness, 524 W 17th St. in the Little Italy neighborhood.
“We’re 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 we start getting a little bit of attention to make sure our kids are getting what they need.”
Spearman said he was excited to receive the $15,000 grant.
“This is a big help,” he said. “This will be part of the money that will go towards the expansion at the back of our gym. I am very grateful to the board for agreeing to manage my facility in Little Italy. There are many young people and people in poverty who are at risk.”
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 based on several factors, including personal and corporate taxes, number of employees, sales, and area of focus.
Diverse Ellie previously awarded more than $300,000 in grants 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 Store: $10,000
- Joe’s 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
- Royalty embroidery and custom design sewing: $7,500
- State Motor Vehicle Services: $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.
