Tea house, barbershop, travel agencies among Waterville-area businesses getting relief funds

Courtesy / Central Maine Growth Council The Barber Parlor in Waterville was one of 20 recipients of grants through a new program deploying funds in response to the pandemic.

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By Staff

Twenty small businesses in Fairfield, Oakland, Waterville and Winslow were selected to receive up to $2,000 in grants through a new program to deploy funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related business needs.

The Central Maine Growth Council’s Waterville Region Small Business Grant program prioritized small businesses that have under 20 employees and received $15,000 or less in federal relief, according to a news release.

The grants may be utilized for sustaining operations, retention or attraction of talent, or expansion efforts.

“Receiving this not only has helped us in the present time, but has also set us up for success in the future,” Tanya Lennon of the Barber Parlor said in the release.

“With our grant funds we are purchasing a stackable washer and dryer for the barbershop. This will allow us to better launder our PPE right at the Barber Parlor, rather than sending it out to be done. This will save our shop about $150 a week. With the remaining funds, we have ordered disinfectant for the shop as well.”

The regional geography eligible for the grants aligns with the council’s service area.

“We remain confident that the economic fundamentals of Waterville and the mid-Maine region are strong and we have momentum as a region, but we know small businesses need help to bridge them across this difficult time,” Garvan Donegan, director of planning and economic development at the Growth Council, said in the release.

“This funding will be used to offset some of the impact the pandemic has had on these businesses and will help them move forward in their recovery efforts as we head into the fall season.”

Total funding will be $39,200.

The recipients are:

Amici's Cucina
Are you Ready to Party??
Candy Hollow
Dandelion Art
Day’s Travel Bureau
Diane's Travel Agency
Engine 5 Bakehouse
Heirloom Antiques
Otter Brook Childcare
Pressey House Lakeside B&B
PT Cab Co.
Robin’s Nest
Selah Tea Café
Silver Street Tavern
The Barber Parlor
The Framemakers
Treehouse Daycare & Preschool
Universal Bread
Waterville Brewing Company
Waterville House of Pizza.

The grant program, funded by Bangor Savings Bank, the Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation, Central Maine Motors Auto Group and Colby College, was developed as an emergency relief grant program to support business owners, entrepreneurs and their employees, driving timely investments and supportive economic activity.

The program is an evolution of the council’s assistance to businesses and local communities, providing support as businesses reopen and federal and state funding programs reach capacity.

The council has helped aid businesses and local communities since March, as federal and state funding programs reached capacity, and needs for support remained.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and we’re committed to supporting them throughout the pandemic,” said Shane Savage, an advisory committee member and owner of area small town pharmacies. “By working together we will continue to assist our small businesses by providing assistance and much needed relief that will help keep their doors open.”

This is the second grant program launched by the council; its Downtown Waterville Facade & Building Improvement Grant Program announced the awardees of its 2020 funding round in the spring.