The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is proud to introduce the first round of COVID-19 Small Business Continuity Program grant recipients.

We would not be able to provide these grant awards without the generous support of our funders: Neil and Jane Golub, the Capital Region Chamber, Berkshire Bank, Citizens Bank, KeyBank, as well as other community organizations and municipalities.

With their support, we have been able to make awards to 15 businesses from across the Capital Region, representing a range of industries.

Here’s some of the grant recipients that you just have to meet!

Malgorzata Staunches
Malgorzata StaunchesKids Closet Consignment Boutique LLC, Warren County
Grant amount; $7,500. To assist with operations at this community-loved children’s store retail in Queensbury. “Community Loan Fund changed my life,” says Staunches. “This wonderful grant will help my business go forward, even in this most difficult time for all small business owners. This grant will let me turn the sign on my door to “open” very soon. If I did not get this award my sign would say “closed” – forever.

Nancy Cobb
Nancy CobbThe Spinning Room, Albany County
Grant amount: $10,000. To assist with operations at this boutique in Altamont, including getting an eCommerce site up and running and fulfilling financial obligations for spring stock. “This grant from the Community Loan Fund is wonderful for us because it allows us to KNOW we can meet our obligations over the next couple of months; while we all figure out what the new retail world looks like, and adjust our course accordingly,” says co-owner Nancy Cobb.

Lee Evans
Lee Evans Rewire Energy Company, Saratoga County
Grant amount: $10,600. For continuing operations at this growing family-owned business. “This grant from the Community Loan Fund means that we can continue our energy consulting business and pay our operating expenses while we pivot to an online strategy for our community solar business. This will enable us to comeback and be a strong viable company for the long term…”

April Weygand
April WeygandApril Fresh Cleaning, Saratoga County
Grant amount: $10,000. To assist this 21-year-old commercial cleaning company to adapt to COVID-19. “This grant from the Community Loan Fund will allow April Fresh Cleaning to purchase disinfecting and testing equipment. This equipment helps us provide clean and safe spaces for our community, and we can test surfaces to ensure they are clean and healthy,” says Weygand.

Darlene Myers
Darlene MyersMyers Ballet School, Schenectady County
Grant amount: $10,000. To assist this operations expenses for this dance studio, which has operated in downtown Schenectady for more than 20 years. Myers founded Northeast Ballet Company, the resident company of Proctor’s Theatre, where she continues to serve as Artistic Director. “Myers Ballet School is the home of many former graduates who sought their careers on Broadway stages, in professional companies and college professorships,” says Myers. “I would like to be able to continue this tradition of providing excellent training and future jobs in the arts in our region. I believe this grant will assist the Myers Ballet School in accomplishing this goal.”

Help us grow this grant program and provide support to additional small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.