Sep. 29—Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of articles being published weekly on recipients of American Rescue Plan funding through the city of Anderson.
ANDERSON — Local small businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have been awarded American Rescue Plan funds.
The administration of Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. distributed $918,122 to 37 local businesses and a second round of applications ended last Friday.
The city still has $1,281,878 to distribute to small businesses.
The funds are being used to recoup losses during the pandemic, purchase new equipment and to grow their local businesses.
Cathy Gray, owner of Interior & Garden Design, received $25,000 in American Rescue Plan funds.
Gray’s business has been located at the former Seybert’s Electronics store at 14th and Main Streets for the past 14 years.
Gray said she was located in the former Gentry Cabinets location for a decade before moving to downtown Anderson.
Her intention for the funding is to enclose an outside courtyard area to the north of the store to include a fence.
“I want to have some modeling and style shows in the courtyard,” Gray said.
The funds will also be used for roof repair on the building.
She said in the near future the business will include a boutique that will sell jewelry and clothing.
“I want to do something good for our community,” Gray said. “People told me I should relocate to Fishers, but I wanted to stay in Anderson.”
Gray said she contracted COVID during the pandemic and the business, like many small businesses, was closed.
“We worked during the pandemic on cleaning the store,” she said. “I didn’t want my employees to miss a paycheck.
“This funding is so important,” Gray said. “It’s allowing me to move my business in a different direction.”
Treva Bostic, owner of the Cultured Urban Winery, said she was thankful for the opportunity to apply for the $25,000 in ARP funding.
“The funds will allow me to hire a general manager at a sustainable wage,” she said.
“The pandemic delayed our opening and it was difficult to find quality supplies because of the disruption in the supply chain and to hire employees,” Bostic said.
Rachel Phillips, owner of the Jumps Indoor Bounce & Party Zone, said the $25,000 will be used to pay some of the taxes owed and debt incurred during the pandemic.
“We were closed a year because of the pandemic,” Phillips said. “I lost all of my income during the pandemic.”
She said the business has been operating for five years and is open for private parties.
Phillips said the facility at 3017 E. 14th Street will be open to the public starting on Oct. 13.
A portion of the $25,000 will be used to purchase new equipment.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.