Storefront grants give East Facet compact businesses essential increase

SAN ANTONIO – Just after the wintertime storm in February, Ruth Martin claimed her insurance firm would only cover a part of the injury to her compact organization. The relaxation was up to her.

Martin stated she then remembered about the nonprofit, San Antonio for Advancement on the East Aspect.

“Just like an answer to prayer,” Martin mentioned about the assistance the nonprofit delivered her.

Due to the fact 2010, SAGE has awarded $1.4 million to much more than 150 compact organizations, stated Lindsey Logan, who oversees the storefront grant application.

Martin figured out past week that her modest enterprise, My Area Barber and Elegance Salon in the 600 block of North New Braunfels, would be among the hottest to receive a grant.

“The grant could not have arrive at a far better time,” Martin reported. “Lord understands I necessary it in the worst, in the worst way.”

Martin mentioned each and every pipe and gas line in her salon froze in the frigid storm. Even the cedar publish basis was flooded when the unprotected pipes beneath the setting up burst.

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Martin reported she is quite grateful for the $7,000 grant she was awarded to cover the exterior hurt, which include the sign that fell less than the weight of the snow and the handicapped ramp major up to the shop.

The storefront grant system is town funded, so Martin mentioned she’s also grateful to San Antonio taxpayers.

“I am happy to see our tax bucks currently being employed to advantage the local community,” Martin stated.

Her business enterprise has been a fixture on the East Side for more than 40 many years. All through that time, Martin has provided back again to the community by offering totally free or small-expense haircuts for senior citizens and college students, like all those with specific demands.

Martin reported she believes the SAGE grant shows, “We place out excellent blessings and fantastic blessings arrived back again to us.”

Tuesdae Knight, president and CEO of SAGE, reported, “There’s 2,500-plus enterprises on the East Side, and that is what retains this society, this historical past of the East Side so special.”

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Knight stated the grants give little companies, even churches that are thought of nonprofit corporations, a wanted strengthen to help them make it by means of.

Knight explained the East Aspect is proud to have major businesses like the San Antonio Spurs and the Alamodome. But she said small corporations are the lifeblood of that area.

“It’s the detail that helps make the East Facet culturally wealthy, historically wonderful,” Knight stated.

Logan mentioned the storefront grants are awarded on the foundation of have to have and a level procedure that assist decide the total that can array from $2,000 to $10,000.

She explained the application cycle for the future spherical of grants will open up up the first 7 days in July. Facts about the storefront grant plan can be identified on the SAGE website.

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