Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) and the Guilford Merchants Association (GMA) have awarded the second round of Retail Revitalization Grants to downtown businesses affected by both COVID-19, as well as the civil unrest in late May.
“A vibrant downtown is paramount to the overall success of any city. Our downtown businesses and restaurants help drive economic growth in our downtown sector which results in increased growth throughout not just Greensboro, but the entire Triad area,” says Wes Wheeler of Undercurrent Restaurant and recipient of a Retail Revitalization Grant. “Undercurrent will be using this grant money to continue to work with local farms and to pay our employees. We are so grateful to have it.”
A total of 41 grants of up to $1,500 each have been awarded since the beginning of June. The grant money can be used for storefront repairs, lost inventory, new business plan initiatives, inventory growth, marketing, rent assistance, job retention and other related business expenses.
Second Round Grant Recipients are:
- Beer Co.
- Blue Denim
- Design Archives Vintage Inc
- Dudley Beauty School System, Inc. .
- Greensboro Day Spa
- Greensboro Rickshaw
- Hudson's Hill
- Midori Japanese Restaurant
- Pokebowl inc
- Salon Crie
- Terra Blue
- Thousands O' Prints Inc.
- Undercurrent Restaurant
- Wes Swan Counseling, PLLC
- White and Wood
Start-up money for the Retail Revitalization Grant Program was provided by DGI and GMA. The Greensboro Virus Relief Fund, established by United Way of Greater Greensboro, City of Greensboro and Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, awarded the program $24,000.
Additional funds have been raised by community donations via a GoFundMe campaign, including a $5,000 challenge donation from an anonymous donor that was achieved with $5,000 from Deuterman Law Group, $2,500 from the Downtown Residents Association, $1,500 from the Jewish Foundation, and $1,000 from the Rotary Club of Greensboro. Because of the community donations received, DGI and GMA are continuing to accept applications for a third round of awards.
More information about the DGI Retail Revitalization Grant Program, including the grant application and donation information, can be found at www.downtowngreensboro.org/about-us/covid-19-resources/rrgprogram/.
