POTTSTOWN, PA – April 9, 2024 – Pottstown Area Economic Development (PAED) was pleased to offer a competitive microgrant opportunity for small businesses in March 2024. These grants were presented and administered by PAED with funding provided by Univest Bank and Trust Co. Applicants were to be located within the 5.5 sq. miles of the Borough of Pottstown as sole proprietors, partnerships, LLP, LLC, or corporations, with no more than 5 employees, in addition to other criteria. PAED’s efforts to search for, apply, and earn grant funding dollars is a continuous process throughout the year, with the sole purpose of making meaningful impact, albeit small or large, on the economic vitality of Pottstown.
As shared by PAED’s Executive Director, Peggy Lee-Clark, “PAED is keenly aware of the importance of Pottstown’s small businesses to the economic revitalization efforts for the Borough. We are grateful to Univest for this opportunity which will assist these businesses in some of the challenges they face. As a 501c3 we are dependent on the generosity of funders like Univest to help the business community.”
Univest’s commitment to philanthropy includes providing financial donations to support community and economic development. This created an opportunity for PAED to reach out and tell Pottstown’s small business story, recovering in a post-pandemic, post-industrial-age revitalization environment.
“Small businesses are at the heart of every community, and, at Univest, we have the privilege of working with local business owners every day. It has been truly inspiring to see how they have persevered through unprecedented challenges in recent years,” shared Betsy Roush, Vice President, Community Relations for Univest. “We were grateful for the opportunity to team up with PAED to offer these microgrants and help business owners in Pottstown address their unique needs.”
The award process was designed to be equitable and unbiased. The applications were redacted to be anonymous and then evaluated by an independent panel. The nine recipient businesses were DJ Nails, Grumpy’s Sandwiches, High Street Music, Juan Carlos Mexican Bar & Grill, Laurel and Lace Floral, Philadelphia Granite, Once Upon a Time Consignment, Three Daughters Inn, and Welcome to the Avenue. PAED hosted a meet and greet session when presenting the $500 checks, where the receiving businesses shared with Univest representatives their individual stories and plans for the funds. From purchasing equipment to expanding marketing to operating expenses, each business had its own unique circumstance, yet all shared a common theme – appreciation for PAED and Univest extending opportunities such as this, and the intent to remain steadfast, focused and resilient, regardless of obstacles they may face as entrepreneurs.
Ron Garza, Owner, Juan Carlos Mexican Bar & Grille summarized it well. “It is a day-by-day process as a small business owner. Even after fourteen years, I often hear, ‘Oh, Ron, you must enjoy great success after all these years’… and yes, it is great to say I have been in business 14 years, but you don’t just sit back and say, oh the work is done… Whether it is marketing, or your operation or your staff, every day you must keep focused on the business. We are so grateful for opportunities like this for the small business community.”
PAED continues its important work to identify funding opportunities that will have substantial economic impact for the Borough, attracting, retaining, and growing the business of tomorrow.
Pottstown Area Economic Development (PAED) provides services to businesses and organizations seeking to invest, expand or relocate including assistance with site selection, commercial and industrial real estate development, access to resources and workforce development. PAED’s efforts stimulate investment, which helps maintain and enhance the tax base, retain and create job opportunities, and restores, utilizes or removes under-utilized buildings.
For more information about Pottstown Economic Development (PAED), please contact Peggy Lee-Clark, Executive Director at 610-326-2900.