Washington, D.C (May 4, 2021) - Georgetown Main Street announced the winners of their 2021 Small Business Grants on April 14. Georgetown Main Street (GMS) is a DC Main Street program supporting organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality along the mile-long Wisconsin Avenue corridor between K Street and Whitehaven Parkway. This is the fourth year GMS has provided grants to small and local businesses in the corridor.
The 2021 Small Business Grants are intended to help small businesses with physical or operational improvements to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and transition into recovery.
GMS received over 50 applications. 20 businesses along the GMS Corridor were selected by the GMS Grants Committee for a total of $60,000. Applications were evaluated by the GMS Grants Committee on the strength and impact of the proposed project, the applicant’s contribution to and the project’s influence on the community, the feasibility of project implementation, and the detail of the budget. The grants will be used for a variety of projects, including facade renovations, interior improvements, and equipment replacement.
42% of businesses that applied indicated they were women-owned and 50% of applications came from immigrant-owned businesses. 40 were first-time applicants, and 28 are “legacy businesses”, meaning they have been open for 10 or more years. Of the 20 recipients, half will use the grant funds to improve the exterior of the business through façade renovations or outdoor dining. The grants support businesses across the corridor, starting with Mr. Smiths at 3205 K Street NW and spanning all the way to Everard’s Clothing at 1802 Wisconsin Avenue NW.
2021 Grant Award Winners
Thomas Sweet
Bacchus Wine Cellar
Casbah Café/Ledo Pizza
Dent Place Market
Everard’s Clothing
GEORGETOWN TEES INC
GT PLAYERS INC
Jaco Juice and Taco of Georgetown, LLC
Janti Cafe
Just Paper and Tea
Los Cuates Restaurant Inc.
Lutece
MAJOR INC
Meridian Health and Relaxation II Inc.
Mr. Smiths
Random Harvest, Inc
Susan Calloway Antique Prints and Custom Framing Inc.
Washington Printmakers Gallery
Wedding Creation
Wisconsin Barber & Hair Styling
After a difficult 2020, Sercan Ozturk of Janti Café at 1826 Wisconsin Avenue responded to the award notification: “Finally some good news!”
Qing Lui of Meridian Health and Relaxation at 1673 Wisconsin Avenue said “Thank you so much for the great news! I’m excited and honored that we can be selected. We will try our best to fulfill our plan as designed to maximize what we can bring to the customers and community.”
Grant recipients have until September to complete their projects, though several are either already completed or are underway. Progress on grant projects will be tracked through the next several months though GMS communications, sign up for our newsletter and follow along on social media.
About Georgetown Main Street
Georgetown Main Street (GMS) is a local 501c(3) nonprofit promoting and supporting the economic vitality of the locally-owned small business community along and adjacent to Wisconsin Avenue from K Street to Whitehaven Parkway. GMS is designated as a DC Main Street program and is funded in part by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Shank
Executive Director
Georgetown Main Street
1000 Potomac St NW STE 122
Washington, DC 20007
202-656-4427
rachel@georgetownmainstreet.com
www.georgetownmainstreet.com
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