This week, the Raising the Bar Committee announced two new programs to maintain current small businesses in Bristol Borough while helping new ones get on their feet.
First, the committee is applying for a second grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for buildings on and around Mill Street to improve their storefronts and building facades.
The group received $50,000 in early 2014 and exceeded that amount in matching contributions from local investors, noted committee chairman Bill Pezza at the borough’s council meeting on Monday.
“If we get another $50,000 to do another 10 or 12 (buildings), it’s going to make another profound impact on the street,” he said.
Raising the Bar is holding an informational meeting at the Centre for the Arts, 308 Mill St., on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. There, business owners can sign a letter, with no commitment or obligation, saying they would be interested in grant money if it becomes available.
“That will show local support, which will strengthen our application,” explained Pezza.
Pezza intends for the grant to be applicable to businesses all along Mill Street and on the adjacent blocks of Radcliffe, Pond, Wood, Cedar and Bath streets, although the exact streets are subject to change.
The committee is also using the borough’s Sewer and Water Authority mailing list to send out letters to all commercial properties in that area.
Raising the Bar also introduced a no-cost business startup service to address the pattern of businesses, especially in the commercial district, opening but soon closing their doors. To help new commercial projects get their footing, the committee established a panel of 12 local business owners who can help local entrepreneurs with everything from coming up with a viable business plan to finding loans and navigating regulations.
In a related effort, Raising the Bar is also co-sponsoring a series of small business seminars in the fall. The first will explore cost-effective ways small businesses can use social media, on Sept. 18 at the Centre for the Arts.
The programs are geared toward the commercial district but open to all businesses in town.
“We don’t want to just make Mill Street a pretty place, we also want to make it a productive place,” said Pezza.
For information, visit www.bbrtb.com.
