Chester distributes $42,000 to businesses impacted by COVID-19
CHESTER » The city of Chester recently announced that it was able to distribute more than $42,000 through its Micro Enterprise Grant Program to 12 local businesses that have experienced hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chester received $750,000 of federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Program to assist with its response to the effects of the virus. With this funding the city allocated $50,000 to support local businesses.
“This pandemic has caused tremendous difficulties for millions of people all throughout the world,” said City Councilman William Morgan. “More specifically, the virus has negatively impacted city operations and that of our local business owners. That is why it was important for us to create the Micro Enterprise Grant Program with the sole purpose of offering support to our struggling local businesses.”
With the help of the Chester Economic Development Authority and Entrepreneur Works, 12 businesses have received an average of $3,500 in grant money to date. “Our office took lead with administrating the grant program on behalf of the city,” said Lisa Gaffney, executive director of the autority. “We were able to receive all of the applications and work in partnership with Antoinette Truehart at Entrepreneur Works to identify eligible candidates who met the program criteria and were in financial need.”
The city’s Micro Enterprise Grant Program was created in May 2020 in response to the negative impact of COVID-19 on local businesses in the community. Funding for the program comes directly from federal financial assistance. Eligible candidates must have a Micro Enterprise Business located in the city and demonstrate the need for financial assistance as a result of the pandemic. A Micro Enterprise Business is classified as a business with five or fewer employees, one or more whom own’s the enterprise Additionally, to qualify for the grant, at least 51% of the employees must have low to moderate income.
Entrepreneur Works is a nonprofit organization that offers access to microloans, business training, and one-on-one guidance to hundreds of entrepreneurs each year, empowering small business owners from all walks of life to succeed, prosper, and build sustainable communities.
Local business in Chester that received the grant money include Sirrah Care Professionals LLC, $5,000; Howling LLC, $5,000; C-Pride Taxi Company LLC, $5,000; LA Taco Bistro, $4,000; Peculiar Travel LLC, $3,500; C. Davis Consulting LLC, $3,000; MJ Motion Management, Inc., $2,800; Headliners Barbershop, $2,600; Amazing You Events LLC, $2,500 Quest 2B Elite LLC, $2,300; and J. Nicole Merchandising Agency, $1,900.
Broomall Fire Co. brings carnival foods to town
Since the spring and fall carnivals had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, the Broomall Fire Co. is replacing these annual fundraisers with a Food Fare, featuring everyone’s favorite carnival foods, Friday to Sunday, Oct. 9-11.
The event will be held at the Broomall Fire Co., Malin Road and West Chester Pike in Broomall. The food fare will begin on Friday, 5-8 p.m. and continue on Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Food on the menu includes funnel cake, fried Oreos, cotton candy, popcorn candy and carmel apples, snow cones, French fries, freshly squeezed lemonade, slushies, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pierogis, chicken fingers, sausage and peppers, mozzarella sticks, cheese steaks and nachos.
For more information, visit broomallfirecompany.com.
Keep Music Alive announces spokesperson for 5th annual Kids Music Day
Keep Music Alive, the music education nonprofit organization, announced today that Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe-nominated star Matthew Morrison will serve as the official spokesman for the 5th Annual Kids Music Day. Morrison is best known for his role as Will Schuester on the television show “Glee” from 2009-2015, as well as award-winning projects on Broadway, including “Hairspray,” “The Light In The Piazza,” and “Finding Neverland.” Morrison is also a recording artist with three studio albums including “Disney Dreamin’ with Matthew Morrison,” released on Walt Disney Records earlier this year.
The 5th Annual “Kids Music Day” will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 2. Each year, Keep Music Alive partners with music schools, music stores and other music organizations around the world to hold special events that benefit & celebrate children playing music. The goal is to highlight the importance of including music in children’s education. Events held by participating locations include open houses, instrument petting zoos, free music lessons, student music performances, community/family jams, instrument donation drives, kids open mics, drive-in shows and more. Due to the ongoing pandemic, virtual events and promotions for Kids Music Day will include live-streamed performances and open mics for kids, free online lessons, virtual instrument petting zoos (think musical Show & Tell), online instrument clinics and Kids Music Day sales on select instruments, accessories and lesson programs.
In addition to Morrison, over a dozen celebrity artists are showing their support for Music Education by lending their name as Kids Music Day Ambassadors including: Julie
Andrews, Jack Black, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Michael Feinstein, Kenny Loggins, Richie Sambora, Sarah McLachlan, Vanessa Williams, Victor Wooten, Todd Rundgren, Philip Lawrence, Bernie Williams, Damien Escobar and Mandy Harvey.
Kids Music Day is one of two international music holidays spearheaded by Keep Music Alive, a nonprofit organization, founded by Brookhaven residents Vincent James and his wife Joann Pierdomenico,. Keep Music Alive is dedicated to promoting the value of music. Its mission is to inspire more kids and adults to reap the educational, therapeutic and social benefits of playing music. For more information, call 610-874-6312 or visit www.KeepMusicAlive.org and www. KidsMusicDay.org .
Springfield Fire Co. holds anniversary car show
The 100th year celebration of the Springfield Fire Co. will continue at noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, with a car show at Bogart’s, 773 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. The event will also include music by Cosmic Debris, a 50/50 drawing and hot dogs and hamburgers.
For more information, call Gloria at 610476 9174 or email gnl53@aol.com.