(The Reminder) – State Sen. John Velis and state Rep. Patricia Duffy announced $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the Partners for Community Inc.’s Latino Business Grant Program in Holyoke.
The Sept. 7 event at Fiesta Café in Holyoke saw the state officials joined by Partner for Community Inc.’s Latino Chamber of Commerce Verónica Garcia and Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Director Jordan Hart. The funding was included in the recent ARPA legislation as Duffy and Velis filed and secured $50,000 and $100,000, respectively.
Funding will assist Latino owned businesses in Holyoke, particularly those that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Sen. Velis and I are so thrilled that we were able to secure ARPA funding for the partnership that must go on between these two bodies to support businesses in Holyoke and the region,” Duffy said.
Velis thanked Duffy and constituents for all their work in securing the funds and credited the local chambers for letting them know about critical projects.
“There is absolutely nothing that happens in this business without collaboration. I couldn’t have a better partner than my friend Rep. Duffy in the House,” said Velis. “We know that the past two and a half years in particular have had a really decimating impact on small businesses in general. COVID [-19] has wreaked havoc on so many different industries so when we’re able to do stuff like this, get resources back and help folks out who have continued to feed our communities, continue to help out in so many ways, that’s a good, good thing.”
Owner of Fiesta Café Juan Montano stood with officials as they announced the funding and thanked the state officials for “hustling that money for us to survive out here.” He added he feels this is a step forward from the coronavirus pandemic for small businesses.
“Holyoke has a very thriving, Hispanic, economic business community that really helps drive us. I was here Friday night at Fiesta Café and they do salsa dances and everyone was out on the patio enjoying themselves on a beautiful summer night,” said Hart. “Hispanic businesses are a huge part of the Holyoke economy so we’re really thankful that we’re able to help partner with the Latino Chamber so we can provide funding for our economic development here in the city.”
A link to apply for assistance from the Partner for Community Inc.’s Latino Chamber of Commerce is live for applications and can be found at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ycbhUCSaCObJ5xJg-BuwgRboVlC6AAZqq3mNmmzQx-Q/viewform?edit_requested=true.