For a lot of companies the pandemic remains to be one thing they should get well from.
Town of Antioch is offering assist to native companies nonetheless struggling to get again on their toes.
Kirkland Smith is the proprietor of Stable Rock Café in Antioch. Like many eating places throughout the pandemic, the shutdowns because of COVID surges harm the underside line for Smith’s Enterprise.
Although COVID mandates are a factor of the previous, income remains to be down for the enterprise in comparison with earlier than the pandemic.
“Our income went down most likely on the apex round 50%, and we’re down about 30% now,” Smith mentioned.
Whereas Smith wasn’t compelled to shut down his enterprise like a few of his counterparts. He’s minimize enterprise hours to decrease prices and is paying off a backlog of payments that had been deferred throughout the pandemic.
“We’re paying two payments proper now, making the previous funds in addition to the brand new funds,” Smith mentioned.
However some reduction could also be on the best way for some enterprise house owners.
“We’re right here in February of 2023, and a few of our enterprise are nonetheless feeling the financial pinch of the COVID-19 pandemic,” mentioned Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe.
Thorpe introduced Wednesday that native companies nonetheless struggling financially from the pandemic can apply for a grant of as much as $15,000. They’ll additionally obtain as much as $25,000 in reimbursements for upgrades to its façade.
It’s being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, totaling $1 million.
Kwame Reed is the town’s financial growth director overseeing this system and defined how the grant cash can be utilized by eligible candidates.
“These funds can be utilized for overhead prices, hire reduction, fee of again utilities. And for companies attempting to regain its footing. Three years after the start of pandemic, any monetary assistance will go a good distance,” he mentioned.
