Last month, the Urban Redevelopment Authority approved 27 new projects to receive funding through their Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program. We are proud to have supported five of these successful applicants through technical assistance and grant writing guidance.
We were able to support 5 businesses in submitting their applications! Here are what these funds will support:
- Community Empowerment Association | Homewood: To help a parking lot to be transformed into an outdoor plaza for arts and entertainment.
- LA Grocery | Larimer: To support business enhancements and expansion to a neighborhood market that will soon offer prepared foods.
- Farmer Girl Eb | West End: For the rehab of a future location for the fresh food market.
- Soil Sisters | Hilltop: For the rehab of a future location for the fresh food market.
- Vybz | Homewood: To bring a new sit-down restaurant to the Homewood neighborhood.
Funding to these 5 businesses totaled $817, 760. Congratulations to all! We’re proud to be your partners!
“It was an honor to support each of these leaders. Each one of them is doing something remarkable not only for their own neighborhood but also for Black Pittsburgh as a whole. We are grateful to see the URA making these important investments.”
Demi Kolke, Director of Community Investments
About the program
From the URA website: “The Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act Grant Program provides grants to advance community projects and programs that both align with the Avenues of Hope initiative of supporting equitable development within Pittsburgh’s minority communities and businesses, and with Federal American Rescue Plan Act final ruling.
This initiative focuses on seven major business corridors, in which the goal is to invest in existing small businesses and residents, supporting the inclusive growth of the neighborhoods. The Avenue of Hope corridors are: Centre Avenue (Hill District) ; Chartiers Avenue (Elliott, Sheraden, Windgap, Chartiers City) ; Homewood Avenue (Homewood) ; Larimer Avenue (Larimer) ;Perrysville Avenue (Perry Hilltop, Observatory Hill) ; Second Avenue (Hazelwood); Warrington Avenue/Brownsville Road (Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, Beltzhoover, Allentown).”
