Springfield announces COVID-19 stimulus for economic recovery

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Mayor Domenic Sarno, as well as the City American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) team announced Springfield’s 14th round of funding awards.

According to the City of Springfield, a total of $3.4 million was awarded to small businesses, nonprofits, and neighborhood economic recovery projects. More specifically, $140,000 is being awarded to new businesses, $220,000 is being awarded to small businesses, $795,315 is being awarded to nonprofits, $50,000 is being awarded as part of the Build Back Springfield program, and $2,257,586 is being awarded as part of the Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund (NERF).

Those new and small businesses, and nonprofits awarded are:

Mad Science of Western New England- $50,000
Beaute Within, Inc.- $50,000
Essential Educational Services and Products- $5,000
Liberty’s Mediterranean Giant Grinders- $20,000
Nolan Wells, Inc.- $20,000
Soul Pole Dance and Fitness- $25,000
Squeaky Clean Auto Detailing- $50,000
A & M Creations and More- $20,000
DJ & T Investment d/b/a Minita des Kelsey- $20,000
Element Combat & Fitness Training Institute- $20,000
Entrepreneurial and Business Collaborative- $20,000
Tu Case Restaurant- $20,000
Napoli Pizzeria and Restaurant- $10,000
Tiffany Quan d/b/a B & E Insulation- $30,000
American Legion, Post 420- $20,000
Dress for Success Western Massachusetts- $25,000
Hispanic American Library- $15,315
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church- $500,000
The Gray House- $75,000
The World is Our Classroom- $50,000
The Resident Engagement Program at Home City Development- $100,000
Brotherhood on the Move- $25,000

Mayor Sarno is also committing over $2.2 million from the Neighborhood Economic Recovery Fund (NERF) to six neighborhood projects:

Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association- $754,800
Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association- $482,000
Forest Park Civic Association- $251,122.85
Lower Liberty Heights Neighborhood Council- $727,144
McKnight Neighborhood Council- $40,000
Old Hill Neighborhood Council- $2,520

The NERF program helps enhance local neighborhood councils, businesses, and institutions, which are at the core of neighborhood life, and have the resources to work together with Springfield towards ensuring our neighborhood centers and the surrounding area include sufficient amenities for residents and the business community to grow with a focus on disproportionately impacted communities, equity and inclusion.

Mayor Sarno is also committing $50,000 from the Build Back Springfield program to Springfield Technical Community College Technology Park to support the repairs and stabilization of the exterior of the building.

Mayor Sarno states, “From when my administration made our first round of ARPA awards nearly two years ago in December 2021, I am pleased to announce this fourteenth round of ARPA funding awards to continue to support and provide relief and assistance for our residents/households, small and new businesses, nonprofits and the numerous neighborhood economic recovery projects throughout our city. This investment is all about that good four-letter word, JOBS!”

“I am proud that my administration continues to commit our local allocation of federal ARPA funding to new and small businesses, nonprofits, and just as important to our neighborhoods through numerous enhancement projects citywide. I am also proud that my administration has been able to award 98% of business applications to disproportionately impacted businesses, and 84% have been awarded to minority-owned businesses. This 14th round of ARPA awards will not only provide much-needed relief and assistance but will also help these establishments survive and thrive which will in turn help enhance and boost our local economy and provide much-needed services to our community that has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses are the economic backbone of our neighborhoods and my administration remains committed to supporting their efforts and their full economic recovery.”

CDO Tim Sheehan stated, “As the City comes close to the end of its ARPA funding awards, I find it meaningful that Springfield, unlike many other cities, has reinvested this funding in ways that sought to build back those businesses, nonprofits, and communities that were disproportionately impacted by COVID. To date, the City has invested almost $20 million, in 206 Springfield businesses, of which 98% were disproportionately impacted. The City further invested almost $21 million in 86 nonprofits which are essential to keeping both our economy and community strong. $13 million was invested in improving the City’s housing stock and $7.5 million in the adaptive reuse of historically significant properties that have been vacant or underutilized in our neighborhood commercial districts. As many of these projects advance, I am confident that Springfield has invested its funding wisely and has helped so many in the City, to more effectively recover from the devastating impacts of this global pandemic.”

Mayor Sarno added, “As we approach the end of 2023, we celebrate two years of providing much-needed relief and assistance for our residents, businesses, nonprofits, and neighborhoods. I cannot stress enough how important it is to note that the City of Springfield remains on target to meet all of the federal requirements to have all ARPA funding committed by 2024 and allocated by 2026. I am proud of my administration’s efforts in getting this funding out into our community through a wide variety of all-encompassing and comprehensive programs and initiatives. As we come to the end of our ARPA funding, we will now look to advance our city projects which will be for the benefit of all in our city.”

The deadline to apply for COVID-19 economic stimulus in Springfield closed for small businesses, new businesses, and non-profit programs was on December 31, 2022. Applications for households, individuals, or seniors were on January 15, 2023.

Previous ARPA funding in Springfield

The first APRA funding announced on 12/9/21 was awarded to the following five small businesses:

Phoenix Records Tapes Cultural Accessories: $30,000
Jackson Security LLC: $75,000
Wellspring Harvest Corp.: $64,000
Felix Breakfast and Sandwich Shop, LLC: $50,000
Urban Gear Inc.: $35,000

The second round of ARPA funding announced on 2/1/22 was awarded to the following 56 small businesses and 5 nonprofits:

MNM Investments: $50,000
Devin Davon Footwear: $50,000
413 Café: $20,000
Pena Lopez Auto Repair: $75,000
Chabela’s Beauty Salon: $19,550
Sage Home Builders: $50,000
World is our Classroom: $100,000
MORE: $25,000
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: $49,235
The Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center: $115,300
Junior Achievement: $95,650

The third round of ARPA funding announced on 3/29/22 was awarded to the following 9 small businesses and 13 nonprofits:

Howard Motors of Springfield, Inc.: $100,000
City Cleaners: $75,000
The Final Touch Barber Shop: $60,000
Surdoue Boutiques: $25,000
JDL Financial: $75,000
Just B: $100,000
The Center After School Program Inc.: $100,000
Hot Oven Cookies, LLC: $60,000
JLJ Construction Inc.: $185,000
Caring Health Center, Inc.: $500,000
Mental Health Association, Inc.: $300,000
Springfield Cultural Partnership Incorporated: $150,000
Behavioral Health Network, Inc.: $500,000
Make-It Springfield, Inc.: $50,000
Springfield WORKS/EDC 413WORKS, Inc.: $50,000
Community Music School of Springfield: $150,000
Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts: $60,000
Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club, Inc.: $125,000
EDC 413WORKS, Inc.: $75,000
SquareOne: $500,000
Serenity Club of Springfield, MA: $50,000
The Gray House: $15,000

The fourth round of ARPA funding announced on 4/7/22 was awarded to the following 2 new businesses, 12 small businesses, 1 hospitality, and 2 nonprofits:

Jackalope: $50,000
SouLao’d Kitchen: $75,000
BarKaya: $125,000
Revitalize Superfoods: $60,000
Iona’s Delectable Delight Catering Service: $75,000
Prime-Time Nutrition: $15,000
The Humming Bird Jamaican Cuisine Restaurant: $75,000
Fieras Bakery P.R.: $60,000
Petra Café: $100,000
Bumpy’s Natural and Organic Foods: $75,000
City Jakes Café: $75,000
Timoteo’s Grill: $75,000
Russ’s Restaurant: $75,000
The Boulevard: $75,000
La Quinta: $1,000,000
Revival Time Evangelist Center / JC Williams Community Center: $1,600,000
Springfield Boys and Girls Club: $1,500,000

The fifth round of ARPA funding announced on 5/26/22 was awarded to the following 6 small businesses and 7 nonprofits:

Pearl Development Group, Inc. $50,000
Acme Auto & Radiator, Inc. $125,000
Mad Science of Western New England and ART-Ventures for Kids $50,000
Mi Antojito Bakery $60,000
Tysons Cuts $60,000
Fresh Cut Barbershop $60,000
Springfield Museums $500,000
Home City Development, Inc. $1,000,000
Black Men of Greater Springfield, Inc. $140,000
YMCA of Greater Springfield $325,000
Stone Soul, Inc. $500,000
Hispanic American Library, Inc. $50,000
Springfield 5A Bulldogs Inc $100,000

The sixth round of ARPA funding announced on 7/13/22 awarded $1,400 each to 60 households out of 114 ARPA, a total of $84,000.

The seventh round of ARPA funding announced on 8/4/22 was awarded to the following 12 small businesses, 2 new businesses, 8 nonprofits, and 1 economic development and job creation:

Northern Soul Café $75,000
Juguitos LLC $75,000
SkinCatering, Inc. $75,000
A Cut Above the Rest Inc. $30,000
Mundos Barber Shop $13,100
The Kitchen Catering Company $50,000
L & A Fine Men’s Shop $75,000
GJG Signs & Digital Signs Corp. $50,000
Baystate Home Guard, Inc. $50,000
Palate Restaurant $75,000
Kingdom Builders Contracting Inc. $200,000
Exotic Scentsations $50,000
Golden Heart Home Healthcare, LLC $100,000
5 Star Cleaners $75,000
Superstars Beauty Salon $50,000
Follow My Steps Foundation Inc. $25,000
Dress for Success $140,300
Roca, Inc. $100,000
Boys & Girls Club Family Center, Inc. $500,000
Mason Wright Senior Living, Inc. $250,000
Drama Studio, Inc. $75,000
“Partners for a Healthier Community DBA Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts” $30,000
The Children’s Study Home $500,000

The eighth round of ARPA funding announced on 12/21/22 was awarded to the following 14 small businesses and 6 nonprofits:

White Lion Brewing $250,000
Dewey’s Jazz Lounge $250,000
Souper Sweet Sandwich Shop $75,000
Beaute Within, Inc. $50,000
Mom & Rico’s $29,000
A Brighter Future Child Care $25,000
MGB dba Elegant Affairs $22,625
Yaritza Paula $15,000
Liberty Mediterranean Giant Grinders. $10,000
Hanna’s Diner $10,000
Kenia Hair Center $10,000
Imperial Aquatics $10,000
Pine Point Variety LLC $10,000
413 Multi-Service $5,500
Catholic Charities Agency $300,000
New North Citizens Council $214,000
Revitalize CDC $200,000
Central City Boxing and Barbell $150,000
Art for the Soul $50,000
Greater Springfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau $19,005

The ninth round of ARPA funding announced on 12/28/22 was awarded to the following neighborhood councils:

Upper Hill Residents Council $872,100 “Pedestrian Improvements and Tree Planting Located within QCT Upper Hill”
Upper Hill Residents Council $550,000 “Adams Park Upgrades Located within QCT Upper Hill”
Old Hill Neighborhood Council $441,744 “Pedestrian Improvements and Tree Planting Located within QCT Old Hill”
Hungry Hill Neighborhood Council $336,730 “Pedestrian Enhancements, Tree Planting, Public Internet and Safety for Seniors at Senior Center Located within QCT
Hungry Hill / Liberty Heights” Commonwealth Mural Collaborative $50,000 “Support New Light Festival Downtown to enhance tourism Located within QCT Metro Center”
Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association $19,500 “Traffic Study for Pedestrian Improvements at Dwight Street and Frank B. Murray Street outside Union Station Located within QCT Downtown”

The tenth round of ARPA funding announced on 2/22/23 was awarded to 45 small businesses, 12 nonprofits, and an additional 5 nonprofits that support various eligible community-based activities and services for low- to moderate-income population, including mental health services.

Also included in this ARPA update was direct cash assistance for Springfield households. To date, 3,024 applications have been approved with a total of over $4,233,600 awarded to Springfield residents/households.

Affordable Account Services & Tax Preparation $6,048
Africana Villa $75,000
AH Accounting & Tax Services $5,150
Angels on Wheels Transportation $15,000
Arrow Medical Transportation $29,000
Associated Advertising Corp. d/b/a Awards Company $25,000
Best Painters $10,000
BossLady Fit $10,000
Breezeways Wellness $20,000
Central Barbershop $35,000
Charlene’s Boutique $35,000
Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou On-The-Go $18,800
Chung’s Beauty Supply $15,000
Diversity Resource Group $20,000
Eat Bistro, LLC $50,000
Hair by Meek $10,000
Harris Property Inspections $10,000
Home Inspections by Marco $10,000
Ingy Cons $10,000
Ironcladd Barbershop $35,000
Jen’s Organics $41,700
Khi and Eli Food for the Soul $50,000
Larry’s Towing $20,000
Latino’s Cuisine $50,000
Mastroanni Auto Repair $125,000
Malissa Naylor Realty & Investment $5,000
Mesa Buffet $50,000
MexiRico $50,000
OC Enterprises $15,000
Old San Juan Bakery $50,000
Optical Expressions $10,000
Palazzo $50,000
Panjabi Tadka $50,000
T.J. Painting $50,000
Ramos Cotto Landscaping $10,000
Rewarding Insurance Agency $8,800
Rozki Rides $15,000
SoulAura $10,000
Sweet Transportation $16,000
The Hair Connection $35,000
Throneroom Delivery Service $125,000
Weeman’s Custom Vinyl $10,800
WTFIT, LLC $35,000
Yaad Foods $37,000
Zaca Properties $5,000
COGIC Family Services $225,000
Families Against Violence $45,000
Hampden County Sheriffs Charitable Foundation $502,420
Holy Redeemer Church $48,000
It’s Your Turn to Take the Mic $25,000
Morris Professional Childcare $25,000
Nobel Warrior Urban Youth Development Initiative $50,000
Progressive Community Baptist Church $49,000
Springfield Ballers $50,000
Springfield Together, Inc. $10,800
The Performance Project $50,000
Valley Venture Mentors $100,000
Restoration Worship Center $1,250,000
Baystate Health $950,000
Square One $450,000
Mercy Medical Center $250,000
Spirit of Springfield $50,000

The eleventh round of ARPA funding announced on 5/3/23 was awarded to 23 small businesses and 16 nonprofits. Additionally, $350,000 was awarded under the Build Back Springfield program to support the redevelopment efforts of a vacant and historically significant building on Maple Street.

2 Cents Homegrown $15,000
66 DKR LLC $500,000
Big City Builders $10,000
Cellular Galaxy $10,000
Count On Us, LLC $10,000
Daniel C. Brightwell Insurance $10,000
Digital Boombox $50,000
Ed’s Custom Muffler Shop $20,000
Excelsure Homes Healthcare Solutions, LLC $10,000
Gerardo’s Barber Shop & Multi-Service $10,000
Gifted Tones $25,000
Gogri Family, Inc. $50,000
K & O Food Mart $25,000
Kayden Trucking $15,000
Krazy Monkey Wrestling $35,000
Mocha Emporium $50,000
RNL Unlimited Inc, dba American Ballroom Dance Center $30,000
Springfield Hockey $400,000
Springfield Wine Exchange $25,000
Tash Commercial Cleaning Service $10,000
Tito’s Barbershop $15,000
Vinh Chau Restaurant $35,000
Virtue Salon of Excellence $35,000
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church $33,000
Bilingual Veteran’s Outreach Center $150,000
Black Behavior Health Network $75,000
Christina’s House $68,000
CLUBOH $50,000
Community Survival Center $50,000
Community United Way of Pioneer Valley $50,000
Grit and Gratitude Wrestling Academy $75,000
Latino Economic Development Corp. $100,000
Pan African Historical Museum $50,000
Spring Meadow Associated of Responsible Tenants $21,600
Springfield Pride Parade Organization $25,000
Springfield Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee $11,221
Springfield Puerto Rican Parade Inc. $25,000
Springfield Symphony Orchestra $80,000
WTCC STCC Radio $25,000

The twelfth round of ARPA funding announced on 5/30/23 was awarded to the following 17 restaurants to expand outdoor dining:

City Line Café (9 Rimmon Avenue) $250,000
Student Prince Restaurant & The Fort (8 Fort Street) $179,450
John Boyle O’Reilly Club (33 Progress Ave) $250,000
White Lion Brewing Company (1500 Main Street) $250,000
Hot Table (1500 Main Street) $195,000
Nadim’s Downtown (1390 Main Street) $100,000
Springfield Business Improvement District (Duryea Way/Stearns Square) $35,000
Granny’s Baking Table (309 Bridge Street) $46,160
Osteria (301 Bridge Street) $75,000
Theodores (201 Worthington Street) $65,000
UNO Pizzeria & Grill (820 Hall of Fame Ave) $100,000
Hilton Garden Inn (800 Hall of Fame Ave) $75,000
Nathan Bills Bar & Restaurant (106-110 Island Pond Road) $75,000
The Mamou (272 Worthington Street) $53,332
Loophole Brewing (51-59 Taylor Street $100,000
2 Guys Pizza (477 Page Blvd) $75,000
1441 Main Street (1441 Main Street) $75,000

The thirteenth round of ARPA funding announced on 7/19/23 was awarded to 17 small businesses, 36 new businesses, and 5 nonprofits. In addition, a total of $750,000 is designated to enhance student engagement and retention at American International College, Springfield College, and Western New England University.

Also included in this ARPA update was direct cash assistance for Springfield households. To date, over 5,000 applications have been approved with a total of over $7 million awarded to Springfield residents/households.