Scranton, Pennsylvania, is taking advantage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to promote economic development within its city limits.
Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti recently announced the award of over $1.5 million in ARPA funds to five local businesses in the form of startup and expansion grants. The five businesses include a café, a brewery, a child care center, a restaurant, and a tech company.
The city will provide grants ranging from $20,000 to $400,000 to these five businesses. The funds will be used to support the initial startup or expansion of the businesses, including costs associated with hiring and training personnel, purchasing equipment, and renovating or constructing new buildings.
Mayor Cognetti stated that the ARPA funds are a great way to help Scranton businesses get off the ground. “This is an exciting opportunity to invest in our local businesses and create new jobs,” said Cognetti. “These grants will give our businesses the jump-start they need to succeed.”
The mayor also shared that these five businesses were selected from a pool of applicants and that the city plans to continue to provide grants for other local businesses in the future.