Page 10 - BusinessWest September 14 2020

awards have come over several rounds, with the first focused on restaurants, perhaps the hardest- hit individual sector, with subsequent rounds hav- ing a broader focus that includes more business sectors and nonprofits. Sheehan said businesses receiving grant funds have also represented a diversity of ownership.
“Prime the Pump numbers in terms of minor- ity representation were huge — more than 72%
of the awards were to minority-owned, women- owned, or veterans, and all of the nonprofits we supported had 30% or more minority participa- tion on their board of directors,” he explained, adding that these numbers are significant because many minority-owned businesses had difficulty attaining other forms of support, such as Pay- check Protection Program loans.
In addition to helping businesses weather the storm, the city has also provided financial assis- tance to residents, said the mayor, noting that this aid has gone toward paying mortgages, utility bills, and rent, assistance that also helps the city’s many landlords.
“In this region, I don’t think any community has done more to help their businesses and their residents,” Sarno noted. “We have put out well over $5 million, and perhaps $6 million. We’ve been very proactive, and we’re going to continue working with businesses, such as our restaurants, to help them stay open.”
Such support is critical, said Sheehan, because in order to rebound sufficiently once the pandem- ic subsides, consumers will need to find outlets for that pent-up demand the mayor mentioned.
Springfield
Continued on page 13
These renderings show what the front lobby (above) and ballroom will look like in the Tower Square Hotel that is being ‘reimagined’ and ‘redesigned’ and will soon be flying the Marriott flag.
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10 SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
BusinessWest