Enfield OKs ARPA grant awards

Susan Danseyar, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·3 min read

Jan. 16—ENFIELD — The Town Council has approved over $450,000 in grant awards from American Rescue Plan Act funds for 35 small businesses and nonprofits that were affected by the pandemic, with plans to discuss a second round of funds.

Council members unanimously voted Jan. 9 to accept the Economic Development Commission's recommendation to award grants to 21 small businesses for a total of $251,950, and staff recommendations to award 14 nonprofits for a total of $200,000.

Businesses with 500 employees or fewer and nonprofits could apply for up to $500,000 in ARPA funding to deal with negative effects from the pandemic.

Those awarded are:

—1Love Jamaican Restaurant, $2,500 for a new storefront sign.

—Enfield Produce & Deli, $2,500 for a new storefront sign.

—Silvia's Restaurant & Catering, $10,500 for facade improvements that include awnings and brick resurfacing.

—Cold Harbor Seafood Inc., $35,000 for a water connection.

—Riley's School of Dance, $5,000 for new gymnastic equipment.

—Amelies LLC-Pierogi Queen, $20,000 for facility improvements at a proposed new location.

—Muddy Foot Farm LLC, $24,000 for a sewer tank/pump and HVAC unit.

—The Eclectic Peacock LLC, $5,450 for enhancements to the storefront.

—CT Mulch Distributors Inc., $20,000 for electrical and energy resilient upgrades.

—Enfield Scuba & Watersports, $10,000 for website design and IT upgrades.

—Riverside Reptiles Education Center, $10,000 for a slide door and glass frontage replacement.

—Smoothville LLC, $5,000 for equipment upgrades.

—Baco's Pizza Inc., $7,500 for exterior improvements.

—Caronnas Market, $10,000 for facade improvements.

—Collins Powder Hill Farm LLC, $25,000 for a new farm store.

—117 Hazard LLC, $15,000 for facade improvements.

—Peterashley Salon & Day Spa, $15,000 for facade improvements.

—The Court LLC, $7,500 for bleachers and lighting.

—The Collins Creamery, $20,000 to buy a pavilion.

—Carmen's Bakery, $500 for a new storefront sign.

—Sarapes Restaurant. $1,500 for a new storefront sign.

The ARPA grants for nonprofit and not-for-profits are:

—Opera House Players, $18,500 to offset direct show costs for the 2022-23 season.

—Hazardville Institute, $5,000 to hire a website designer.

—American Legion Post 80, $25,000 to expand its existing 35-space parking lot.

—Enfield Food Shelf, $20,000 for HVAC and electrical upgrades.

—North Central District Health Department, $25,000 for ongoing renovations that include the second floor of its building, adding an accessible bathroom, and installing a wheelchair lift.

—Mount Carmel Society, $15,000 for electrical upgrades to field lights.

—Thompsonville Moose Lodge 1525, $13,000 to remove and replace its outdoor deck.

—St. Patrick Parish Center, $20,000 to replace the lower roof at 64 Pearl St.

—Enfield Community Chorus, $1,900 to create a new logo, professional photography, and recording of its 2023 concert.

—Enfield People for People, $25,000 to buy portable equipment for Enfield Safe Harbor's warming center.

—First Readers Association, $2,500 to buy supplies for children.

—Enfield Garden Club, $2,500 to buy and install Little Libraries.

—Enfield Loaves & Fishes, $25,000 toward capital improvements including lighting, fans, seating, and tables.

—Scantic River Watershed Association, $1,600 to buy and install dog waste stations at the four parks in town.

For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.