$209,000 awarded to innovative Rochester small businesses

(ABC 6 News) – Several local businesses in Rochester adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were awarded $209,000 in grants.

The Rochester Innovation Grant Program provided grants of up to $5,000 to small businesses innovating their business model, approach, or services in response to the pandemic during 2021. RAEDI oversaw the new program for the City of Rochester to fund innovative projects undertaken after July 1, 2021.

“From improving air quality to creating new methods of engaging their customers, Rochester businesses showed through this program that they have no shortage of ideas for innovating their models in response to adversity,” said John Wade, president of RAEDI.

Grant priority was given to historically under-served businesses (women-, military veteran-, and ethnic or racial minority-owned businesses). Any for-profit small business started before July 1, 2021, was eligible, as were home-based businesses.

A total of 46 grants were awarded, with 57% going to women-owned businesses, 37% going to racial or ethnic minority-owned businesses, and 2% going to veteran-owned businesses.

Applications closed on Sunday, September 19, 2021, and final awards were disbursed by December 6, 2021. Award size was based on receipts submitted reflecting the final costs of the projects. Below are the recipients who received funding and their award amount:

• A Unique Twinkle LLC: $5,000
• A-Z Logistics Inc: $5,000
• Ageless Esthetics Medspa: $4,000
• Arnold Athletics LLC (Detour Athletics): $5,000
• Beetle’s Bar & Grill Inc: $4,979.62
• Blue Diamond Restaurant LLC: $2,208.04
• Blue Sky Dental, PLLC: $3,145.50
• Bowlocity Entertainment Center, Inc.: $2,537.74
• Bramel Inc. (Glynner’s Pub): $5,000
• Cashmere Lux Hair Salon: $1,700
• Centric Healthcare LLC: $5,000
• Cheryl Scranton Color Studio LLC: $3,000
• Dahl Dance Inc: $5,000
• Elevate Marketing Solutions LLC: $4,237.51
• Finbrew LLC (Little Thistle Brewing Company): $4,796.69
• Garden of Massage: $4,924.85
• Grandmas Kitchen of Olmsted LLC: $5,000
• Gray Duck Entertainment LLC: $5,000
• Herbal Spa and Nail: $2,966.16
• Immigrant Solutions Center LLC: $4,989.61
• James M Krom Natural Images: $5,000
• Jersey Jo’s Inc.: $5,000
• Joes Auto Care INC (Joes Auto & Tire): $5,000
• Johnson Int’l LLC: $4,632.86
• Kristine Phan: $5,000
• Laura Meihofer: $5,000
• Maine Cutz LLC: $5,000
• Master Jewelers, Inc: $4,395
• MotivateMe LLC: $5,000
• NAK Investments LLC (Minnesota Shave Ice): $5,000
• North West Nails LLC: $5,000
• Old Abe LLC: $5,000
• Pasquale and Friends Corp (Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria): $5,000
• Poppi Italian Leather: $4,595
• Rain Nail Salon: $2,962.76
• Resilience Impact LLC: $4,741.69
• Roca Climbing & Fitness: $5,000
• Rochester MN Moms Blog, LLC (wrkshp): $5,000
• Salon Nouvo INC: $5,000
• Save & Give, LLC (EPIC Endeavors Academy): $5,000
• Schmitt’s Stride Rite, LLC: $5,000
• Silver Lake Center, LLC (Silver Lake Shopping Center): $5,000
• Tea Time LLC: $4,186.97
• The Big BANG Entertainment (Big BANG Companies): $5,000
• The Hello Social (Hello Media): $5,000
• Vanessa L Persinger (Vanessa’s Hair Studio): $5,000

RIGP is part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program approved by the Rochester City Council and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.