Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Shelburne Business Improvement Area (BIA) is offering a helping hand to member businesses with a new funding program. 

The local BIA has approved a grant of a little over $11,000, or up to $750 per business, to help members of the BIA cover the costs associated with COVID-19 safety equipment in 2020. The funding for the program is coming out of the Shelburne BIA reserve funds, which includes money contributed by member businesses. 

Melissa Hooper, accountant for the BIA, said business members will be able to use the grant to cover costs incurred such as reimbursing patios, and personal protective equipment (PPE). 

Both Hooper and Shelburne Town Council representative Lynda Buffet on Monday (March 15) presented four businesses in the downtown core with cheques.  

“We'd like to ensure that they're [the businesses] are here and successful, that we can draw more business to the area and make everybody's business a great success,” Buffet said to the Free Press about the grant.

“It give everybody some hope that we're finally going to get out of this and we have to do all we can to support local businesses. I think in the last little while, we've started to see new businesses spring up, which is a good sign, so we want to keep the momentum going and make sure that everybody is happy.” 

Spa-Cific You, located on Main Street in Shelburne, was one of the four business that received the grant on Monday. 

“It was a great opportunity for us, so to receive the grant was amazing because as the cost of COVID-19 supplies are quite extensive some times,” said owner, Angela Way. 

Way added that for the day spa, the grant has specifically helped cover some of the cost for the plexiglass installed between the hairdressers and the nail stations. 

While four businesses have received the grant, the BIA says there is still more funding available for business members. Criteria to be eligible for the grant include being a member of the BIA and receipts from 2020 have to be provided as proof of cost for the safety equipment. 

Business member can contact the BIA to inquire about funding.