Twenty-five more small businesses owned by minorities, immigrants and women have received $5,000 grants to help them weather the pandemic.
The second round of Small Business Recovery Grants comes from the Local Initiatives Support Corp. Indianapolis, with financial support from the Glick Philanthropies, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Wells Fargo, MJ Insurance and IDS.
LISC Indianapolis leaders said small businesses are critical to the health of our economy and community, and that the impact of COVID-19 has been especially acute for minority, immigrant and women-owned businesses. Ninety-six percent of the grant recipients are minority-owned businesses located in the neighborhoods where LISC works. All grantees have 10 or fewer employees. Approximately 60% of the grant recipients are women-owned businesses and over half work in the personal care or food industries.
Round Two grantees:
- All Things Michael Seats
- Carnitas el Tarasco
- Circle City Soul Food
- Conscious Food Company
- Estetica Paris
- Haven Yoga Studio
- House of Color Event Productions
- J and J A Taste Of Home Catering Food Truck
- Johanas Furniture
- Just Ride Cycling Studio
- La Blanca Nieves y Mas
- Lil Ron Barber and Beauty Shop
- Moli Painting
- Mr. Tequila’s Cantina & Grill
- People Makers Indy
- Real Taste Catering
- Remitha Lynn & Company
- Runway Diva Boutique
- Tache’ Productions/Tache’ Productions Studio
- Super Tortas Estilo Barrio
- Taqueria Mi Costa
- Taylor Made Wellness
- ThirdRush Fitness
- Vision Wealth Group
- Zonie’s Closet
In early June, LISC Indianapolis awarded the first round of the Indianapolis Small Business Recovery Grants for Minority, Immigrant and Women-owned Businesses to 25 local businesses.
Round 1 grantees were:
- Elite Child Care LLC
- Mrs. Murry’s Naturals
- Boyzo Construction
- Chef Oya’s The Trap
- Joiful Noise Childcare
- The Fuqua Institute of Beauty Culture
- Amayesing Cleaning Service
- The Grub House Restaurant
- The Law Office of Ranissa E. Dycus
- EMMI Beauty Salon Treats By Fee
- El Palacio Event Center
- Salazar Family Dental
- Indy Stars Bilingual Daycare
- Don Juan Taqueria
- Marco Tile and Construction
- Kash Dry Cleaning
- Kurly Koils
- Guanajuato Restaurant
- Sashay Hair Company
- Sip & Share Wines
- Cheatham & Moore Barber Shop
- Tlaolli
- AFARE Transportation
- El Fandangos Inc.
“Together with residents and partners, LISC aims to address the challenges of COVID-19 with a distinct focus on equity and inclusion,” said Tedd Grain, executive director of LISC Indianapolis. “The resiliency of our women-and-minority-owned enterprises will be critical to our economic recovery. We must prioritize these investments in our traditionally under-resourced and connected Indianapolis communities.”
REPORT 2: Mayor Hogsett re-tightens restrictions
Mayor Joe Hogsett and Marion County Public Health Department Director Dr. Virginia Caine announced last week that Marion County would adjust capacity requirements and pursue a more aggressive approach to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“A return to these measures isn’t what we wanted,” Hogsett said. “But right now, public health is our number one priority. Nothing else can move forward without it. It’s why we’ve consistently updated our policies to reflect the best-available science on a virus that has made clear it isn’t going away. But these policies and best practices only work when we all participate. We must do better – especially younger adults in social settings.”
“Each of us bears the personal and social responsibility to follow public health recommendations,” said Dr. Caine. “That means wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing. That means taking proper precautions and not pretending as if life remains unchanged; if we do not take this seriously, we will not reach a ‘new normal.’ Those who ignore reality do so at the peril of their friends and family, as well as themselves.”
The new Public Health Order went into effect midnight July 24. Major changes include:
- Bars and nightclubs that were not permitted to be open in Stage 1-3 of the State’s reopening plan, must close.
- Bar seating in restaurants must also close.
- Restaurants are limited to 50% indoor capacity.
- Places of worship and funeral homes may provide indoor services at 50% capacity; outdoor services are permitted with no capacity limit but social distancing is required.
- Gyms, fitness centers, yoga and dance studios, martial arts studios, and like facilities may remain open but must restrict capacity to 25%.
- Shopping malls and other retail stores, including liquor stores and convenience stores, may remain open but must restrict capacity to 75%.
- Assisted living communities and nursing homes remain closed to visitors, except that outdoor visitation opportunities may be resumed in accordance with ISDH guidelines.
- Beginning Monday, July 27, social gatherings, such as wedding receptions, club meetings, or parties are limited to 50 people.
- All other forms of gathering, meeting, or special or seasonal event must be limited to 250 people or fewer, unless MCPHD provides advance approval of a risk mitigation plan for a special or seasonal event that anticipates more than 250 attendees.
- In-person education is suspended for Pre-K through 12th grade until August 5. Additional guidance will be provided by the Marion County Public Health Department next week.
- Recommended 14-day quarantine following travel to states or countries with high positivity rates. A list of applicable places will be available on the Marion County Public Health Department website.
The countywide mask order begun July 9 remains in effect. Residents must wear face coverings in indoor public places and in outdoor public places where social distancing is not possible.
Marion County residents can request a free face covering at indy.gov/masks. Indianapolis residents impacted by COVID-19 should visit the City of Indianapolis resource guide, which can be viewed at www.indy.gov/covid. Spanish speaking residents can view the Resource Guide here. Individuals who are unable to navigate the city’s website can call 317-327-4MAC between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to talk to a customer service representative.
