City of Syracuse awards $2 million in ARPA fund grants to city businesses

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has announced 43 grants for city businesses and organizations funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Commercial Corridor Improvement Fund.

The Syracuse Common Council authorized the $2 million program earlier this year. It represents a “key part of Mayor Walsh’s ARPA investment strategy,” his office said.

“The grants epitomize the purpose and the promise of the American Rescue Plan. The funds will help businesses and organizations recover from the impact of the pandemic. In addition, we structured the program to also ensure the grants have a permanent positive impact on neighborhoods,” Walsh contended. “$2 million in pandemic relief funds will leverage a total of $54 million in investment across 17 different neighborhoods.”

Grant amounts range from $10,000 up to $100,000. Recipients are using the funding to make interior and exterior improvements to existing properties, support new construction and infill development, and site-work enhancements to support beautification efforts and “eliminate blight.”

Funded projects include upgrades to assist with the reopening of Laci’s Tapas Bar in the Hawley Green neighborhood. exterior façade enhancements to 701 South Geddes St. on the city’s west side. and the renovation and adaptive reuse of 1418 Grant Boulevard that will serve as the new headquarters for NJ Jones Plumbing on the north side.

In addition, two community organizations will $100,000 grants to pay for neighborhood-wide improvements. Growing Good Works, Inc., will apply its grant toward a project to add ornamental street lighting to the James Street corridor in Eastwood. The Downtown Syracuse Foundation will use its funding for new lighting, gateway signage, and kiosks throughout downtown.

The Commercial Corridor Improvement Fund supports the redevelopment and improvement of underutilized commercial and mixed-use properties, and quality of life and “catalytic,” neighborhood-development programs, Walsh’s office said.

The funded projects plan to create more than 230 jobs and retain another 92 jobs. They will also pay for the construction of 75 units of housing.

Two-thirds of the grants to for-profit entities support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and women entrepreneurs.