With a strained economy, businesses of all sizes are hurting, but in the town of Rotterdam 10 small businesses are getting a small boost from the Rotterdam Industrial Development Authority. The winners of the 2008 Small Business Grant Program were announced at the IDA’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
In Rotterdam, small businesses are the lifeline of our economy, said Angelo Santabarbara, chairman of the Rotterdam Industrial Development Authority. `I thought it was very important to come up with something that specifically helps small businesses. A lot of the time they have a hard time, but it’s great to get a little help once in a while and keep things moving.`
Those receiving the grants are Deangelos Play by Play Sports Bar and Grill, Carman Paint and Hardware, Rainbow Express Childcare Center, Kathleen’s Therapeutic Massage and Day Spa, EZ Wash, Tina King’s Hair Studio, Roman Villa Restaurant, Gold Crest Electronics, Center Stage Deli and Scott S. Soule, DDS, Amy G. White, DDS, General Dentistry and Cosmetics.
Earlier this year, the Rotterdam IDA announced the continuation of the Small Business Grant Program for 2008 and requested applications for the grants. The program, which began in 2007 shortly after Santabarbara took over as chairman of the agency, provides 10, $5,000 matching grants to small business owners to use toward exterior improvements such as faCade work, access improvements, signage, spot lighting and sidewalks.
`I would like to thank all of the small business that applied for this program. We had a lot of great applications to choose from and hope that the remaining applicants will re-apply in 2009. We look forward to seeing faCade improvements throughout the Town of Rotterdam in the upcoming year,` said Santabarbara in written statement.
The Rotterdam IDA received 22 applications for the 10 grants, up from the handful it received last year.
`We know sometimes it’s tough, and we appreciate them sticking it through and investing in our community,` said Santabarbara. `This program is something new. It’s one of the first of its kind in Rotterdam, and it shows that we’re trying to help [small businesses].`
Rotterdam Supervisor Steve Tommasone praised the IDA for working to improve the town.
`They’ve done a phenomenal job. They’ve been outstanding so far,` said Tommasone. `You’re able to do a matching grant situation where you can get some money to improve your property. [The Rotterdam IDA] is actually creating an engine for small businesses to benefit — it improves the quality of life for the town. You can’t overstate its importance.`
The owners of Kathleen’s Therapeutic Massage and Day Spa, Kathleen and Kevin Carroll, said they are happy with the support they have received from the IDA and the town. They said they plan to use the money to add more lighting to their business, which is new. They just finished renovating a house.
`We could have built our business anywhere, but we chose Rotterdam because we live here, and we love it and we wanted to give back to our community,` said Kathleen Carroll.
They were attracted to the town of Rotterdam, and specifically Hamburg Street, because of the revitalization efforts that have been made to attract businesses there.
`Rotterdam is a hidden gem,` said Kevin Carroll.
`It’s nice to have a little help and to show these businesses that the community cares and to say, ‘Hey, we’re here and we care about you and we’re glad that you’ve invested here in our community,` said Santabarbara. `[The grant] gives you a little bit of a spark. If you’re thinking of doing a project, it’s not an enormous amount of money, but for a small business it helps.`
“