SHELBURNE FALLS — Grants of up to $5,000 could soon be awarded to the area’s small businesses, nonprofits, artists and farmers.
That’s because the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association (GSFABA) managed to raise more than $30,000 to provide the necessary match to the MassDevelopment Commonwealth Places grant it was awarded in July, according to GSFABA board member Whit Sanford.
Roughly $7,300 was raised through the crowdfunding platform Patronicity, $5,000 was raised through a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and an additional $10,000 was raised from a grant awarded through the donor-advised Groundwater Fund at the Community Foundation, Sanford said. The remaining balance came through donations sent directly to the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (CDC).
In total, the business association surpassed its goal and raised $38,000.
“It was such a surprise,” Sanford said. “I know the Community Foundation often does this … but I didn’t think this was going to happen. I originally applied for $15,000 and was really pleased we got $5,000. I didn’t anticipate it would be so wonderful.”
The additional $10,000 donation, she said, was “very unexpected.”
Sanford also said the match would not have been possible without the Bridge of Flowers Committee and their donors’ support.
“We received very generous donations from the Bridge of Flowers folks who wanted to see the Bridge of Flowers have spectacular decorations, but also who just care about the village,” Sanford said.
The money will benefit the two projects the GSFABA outlined in its grant application — the “Economic Recovery Fund,” which will offer the grants of up to $5,000 for business expenses; and the “Village Revitalization Project,” which aims to find ways to attract visitors to Shelburne Falls.
“Our hope is that (businesses) will be able to get through the winter,” Sanford said. “There are a lot of people, restaurants that are struggling. Some of the shops are struggling.”
Sanford said the business association is beginning to work on an application for individuals and businesses to apply for support through the Economic Recovery Fund.
“It would basically require them to tell us who they are, how much they would like and if they could give us a budget … so we have some way to account for the (grant) monies,” she explained.
She noted that state Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, also requested a $250,000 budget amendment — $100,000 of which would be for hilltown businesses. Though that money isn’t in hand yet, it is expected to be managed by the non-profit Hilltown CDC.
Until those funds become available, the GSFABA and Franklin County CDC will begin to award grants through the Economic Recovery Fund to those most in need.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne