Syracuse awards $2M in ARPA funds to businesses, nonprofits

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Selected Syracuse businesses and nonprofit organizations will use 43 grants 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,” the office of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in the Oct. 18 announcement.

“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. 

ARPA Commercial Corridor Improvement Fund Recipients

• 304 Hawley LLC $50,000 
• 1970 W Fayette Street, LLC $50,000
• African & Caribbean Central Market $25,000
• Biscotti Cafe & Pastry Shop Inc. $25,000
• Bright Structures, LLC $50,000
• Broom Closet Coffee + Company $25,000
• Cedric Stevens, Inc. $50,000
• Eva’s European Sweets, LLC $50,000
• Gails Enterprises, LLC $25,000
• Home HeadQuarters, Inc. $50,000
• Hopeprint, Inc $50,000
• Indaria Jones $50,000 
• Joseph’s House for Women, Inc. $50,000
• Lovely Enterprise LLC $25,000
• Luna Loca Syr, Corp $25,000
• Mercy Works at the Clarence Jordan Vision Ctr $50,000
• NJ Jones Plumbing, LLC $50,000
• North Area Athletic Club, Inc $50,000
• Page West, Inc $50,000
• Pastimes Athletic Club $50,000
• Road to Emmaus Ministry of Syracuse, Inc $75,000
• Salina 1st, LLC $50,000 
• 15th Ward Developers LLC $50,000
• 350 Montgomery, LLC $50,000
• 751 North Salina, LLC $25,000
• 1543 S. Salina Street Management, LLC $50,000
• Ambergate Holdings, LLC $50,000
• Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union $50,000
• Cueva Contract, Inc / Jasso Properties, LLC $75,000
• Downtown Syracuse Foundation, Inc. $100,000
• Fastbreak Knights LLC $75,000
• Garrett Heater / Mike Penny $50,000
• George & Rebecca Barnes Foundation  $50,000
• Growing Good Works, Inc. $100,000
• Hayner Hoyt Corporation $50,000
• Gavin Maloney LLC $50,000
• LandColv, LLC $50,000
• Marla Cohen  $25,000
• Morgan & Morgan Home Inspection, LLC $15,000
• Right Price Companies, Inc. $25,000
• Safe Space, The $25,000
• Simply Ingram, LLC $50,000
• Sound Univercity, LLC $10,000