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East Hartford Begins to Award ARPA Funds to Eligible Businesses as part of the Small Business Assistance Program

Posted on: March 20, 2023 - 11:34am
East Hartford Begins to Award ARPA Funds to Eligible Businesses as part of the Small Business Assistance Program

East Hartford, CT – The Town of East Hartford has begun the process of awarding funds to local eligible businesses who applied to the Small Business Assistance Program in 2022.

Last year, the East Hartford Town Council allocated $3,849,919 of ARPA funds to help local businesses recover from the pandemic. As part of the ARPA-funded program, local businesses were able to apply for up to $125,000 to hire new employees, expand infrastructure, purchase equipment or renovate their façade. East Hartford received 106 applications from local businesses.  Following a review of the applications to determine eligibility and prioritize needs, approved businesses are beginning to receive reimbursements for qualified expenses.

“East Hartford values our business community and ARPA funds have allowed us to assist local small businesses to get back on their feet following a tremendously difficult year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Mike Walsh.

Among the awarded East Hartford businesses so far are:

  • C-Town; grocery store; $125,000 for façade renovations and expansion of the building
  • Hair Obsessions LLC; salon; $18,000 for new equipment, renovations and hiring
  • Perfect Poundcakes; bakery; $70,000 for new baking and display equipment and a purchase of a bakery trailer
  • Aqua Laundry; laundromat; $40,000 for new machines and signage
  • Cream Time; restaurant; $71,335 for kitchen equipment, façade work and improvements to the building, including ADA component
  • Fruitful Mixology; distillery; $125,000 for purchase of production equipment
  • DR & F Contracting LLC; trucking company; $93,750 for purchase of a tractor trailer
  • Main Hardware; retailer; $93,750 for façade renovations
  • Amped Up Electric; electrician; $47,950 for a new van and equipment
  • Dave’s Service Center; automotive; $110,071 for a new wrecker truck
  • Loop Services/Safe Roof Cleaning; roof cleaning service; $112,724 for purchase of vehicles
  • Square Peg Commissary; kitchen for local restaurant chain; $62,500 for new equipment and expansion in new location
  • Big Z CT Cleaners; dry cleaner; $55,000 for new equipment
  • JJ Sullivan Contracting ; construction; $1,250 for hiring staff                                                                                                            
  • MegOwen LLC dba Decco Manufacturing; specialty hardware fabricator; $25,000 for new equipment
  • SI Main St EH LLC/Advance Auto Parts Plaza; retail plaza; $31,250 for façade renovations
  • United Steel; steel fabricator; $125,000 for advanced machinery
  • VRSim; virtual reality developer; $31,250 for new equipment and expansion in new location                                                                 

The East Hartford Development Department team continues to review received applications and allocate the remaining funds to eligible businesses.