Yonkers uses $400,000 in grants and loans to keep downtown alive

The money is split into two grants - one for payroll, rent, and utilities and the other for buying PPE for staff and emergency relief.

News 12 Staff

Aug 27, 2020, 10:46 AM

Updated 1,429 days ago

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The city of Yonkers is doing everything it can to help small businesses recover from the negative economic impacts of the coronavirus.
The Yonkers Business Assistance Program has given out more than $400,000 in grants and loans in the last month to help keep small businesses afloat.
The money is split into two grants - one for payroll, rent, and utilities and the other for buying PPE for staff and emergency relief.
One of the businesses receiving funding is Sacred Seeds.
Owner Jennifer Perry launched her own company selling handmade soaps, body butter, and skin products in 2018.
Like nearly every business in New York, she took a hit in March when the coronavirus pushed her to mostly sell her products online.
She's now received $10,000 through the city's grant programs to help her see through the ongoing pandemic. 
"Knowing that I'm in a city, living, working, supporting, and being supported by. Knowing that they have my back that is tremendous in the midst of a pandemic," says Safara.
Including Perry's, the city has already helped 34 businesses total with additional funding still available. The city is expected to approve another $80,000 in grants and loans over the next couple of days for an additional eight businesses.


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