Area small businesses receive $1 million in funds from town

Aug. 2—W I N D H A M — The town has awarded a total of $ 1 million in funds to 62 businesses through its small business loan program.

The program was launched in March in an effort to assist businesses in Windham that have been struggling during the pandemic.

It is being financed by a portion of the town's American Rescue Plan Act ( ARPA) funds.

$ 1 million of the $ 7.3 million in ARPA funds that the town received is being used to fund the initiative. " I think the town council should be applauded for recognizing this critical need in our community and setting aside a significant portion of ARPA money for local establishments," Windham Economic and Community Development Director James Bellano said in a press release to the town.

Town council members approved a list of ARPA projects in September 2021 and taxpayers approved the projects during a town meeting in December 2021.

Funding amounts varied from $ 7,000 to $ 20,000 and were awarded for a variety of purposes, including revenue loss from the pandemic, rent, utilities, operational expenses, rehabilitation and/ or improvements to storefronts and costs incurred from pandemic spacing and separation requirements.

The following categories of businesses were given priority: businesses with 25 or fewer full- time employees, for- profit businesses, businesses that did not receive prior COVID- 19 related assistance and women/ minority/ veteran- owned businesses.

Bellano said tentatively, 30 woman- owned businesses were recipients, of which 13 identified as minority, women- owned, and five businesses identified as minority, male- owned, a figure that may change. He said tentatively, nine businesses identified themselves as new businesses that opened during the pandemic, a figure that may change.

Bellano said his department plans to issue a final report to the town council.

Windham Mayor Thomas DeVivo said the program helps businesses that were not eligible for personal protective equipment loans because of their size or they didn't have a banking relationship.

He said it is " exciting" how many women and minority- owned businesses received funding.

" This is another great reason to do business in Windham," DeVivo said, noting that Windham businesses are supported by the town. " It is further proof that shopping local is really a good thing."

He thanked the economic development commission ( EDC) committee who chose the recipients for their work. " They kept it honest," DeVivo said.

The committee was comprised of EDC members Maryann Gorgone, Dino Ricciardone and Angela Hernandez DeVivo also thanked U. S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, D- 2nd district, for his support of the ARPA. One of the loan recipients is Patrick Griffin, who is planning to open " Trigo Pizza" at 744 Main St. by the end of the year.

He received a total of $ 40,000 through the town's program, $ 20,000 of which will be used to renovate the building and $ 20,000 for the restaurant.

" This is certainly a huge relief," Griffin said in the press release.

The building is the former home of Rajean's Gifts, Antiques & Collectibles, which closed last year following the retirement of the ownership.

According to the town property card, the building was sold to JBPG LLC. on Dec. 20, 2021.

The press release indicates that Griffin put his plans for the restaurant on- hold in response to increases in equipment and shipping

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