Franklincountynow.com Staff Report

(GREENFIELD) –The Greenfield Business Association has announced that eight Greenfield businesses are grant recipients of the first round of  funding for the “COVID-19 Business Reopening Outdoor Equipment Micro-Grant” through the “MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places: Resurgent Places” grant program, which awarded the GBA $10,000 in September.

First round grant awards have been received by: Brad’s Place; Denny’s Pantry; Hangar Pub and Grill of Greenfield; Hope & Olive; Main Street Bar and Grille; Mesa Verde; Terrazza; and the new Adam’s Donuts.
Each of the eight recipients received grants of up to $1,200 for equipment purchases needed to reopen outside in response to the reopening requirements of the state and city governments. Materials such as tents, umbrellas, tables, chairs, and heaters were included in several of the grant awards.

The GBA worked in coordination with the City of Greenfield’s GBA board liaison and Community Economic and Development Director, MJ Adams, to ensure businesses had proper outdoor spaces to use. “This whole grant process for the GBA was a collaborative effort with the city to provide assistance to businesses trying to reopen by expanding outside. Every step of the way, we worked with the city for the benefit of the Greenfield business community,” noted Rachel
Roberts, the GBA Coordinator.

While in the process of presenting business owners and managers the award check, GBA board president and owner of Montague WebWorks, Mik Muller, heard many positive responses. In conversation at the time the grant check was awarded, Michael Stone, manager of the Hangar Pub and Grill, noted that he arrived in Greenfield in January 2020 and then everything changed. He shared, “Greenfield has been amazingly supportive of the Hangar. It’s a great community.” Roberts recalls her conversation with Jim and Maggie Zacarra, sibling co-owners of Hope & Olive, in which Jim stated, “This is great! Every little bit helps.” Mik Muller shared “We reached out to many Greenfield businesses we knew were reopening outside and probably could use some financial help buying new equipment.”

The positive news for Greenfield continues–the GBA has the opportunity to raise $10,000 more to assist even more local businesses with a matching grant program through MassDevelopment. For each dollar raised by the GBA through crowdfunding, MassDevelopement will match up to $5,000 for a total of $10,000 more going directly to our
city’s businesses. “It’s a great way to donate! $50 automatically turns into $100! You’re doubling your donation to
local businesses with one gift!” Muller enthusiastically shares.

The GBA crowdfunding page can be found through their webpage:
greenfieldbusiness.org or the direct donation page: www.patronicity.com/greenfield.