Main Street America and The Hartford are pleased to announce the first-round recipients of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program. Grants of $5,000 – $15,000 have been awarded to 67 brick-and-mortar small businesses across the country. Funds will help these businesses respond and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and help to revitalize and strengthen older and historic downtown commercial districts. Delaware Small Business Development Center client, Tina’s Timeless Threads, was the only recipient in Delaware! Tina’s Timeless Threads, located in Dover,  is a vintage and vintage inspired boutique specializing in curated vintage pieces ranging from the 1920’s to 1980’s for women and 1960’s to 70’s fashion for men.

“As COVID-19 continues to have a devastating impact on the small businesses that make our downtowns thrive, these locally-owned businesses need our support now more than ever,” said the National Main Street Center’s President and CEO Patrice Frey. “We are thrilled to assist these small businesses owners as they work to not only address challenges related to the pandemic, but also support the resilience of older and historic Main Street and commercial districts.”

Grant projects range from physical improvements to meet reopening guidelines, like building walk-up windows to allow for socially-distanced takeout and expanding outdoor dining, to equipment to comply with public health and safety guidelines, like installing touchless hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass barriers. Other funds went to businesses looking to expand e-commerce sales, improve online marketing efforts, or grow other parts of their business model. Some grantees also received funds for rent, payroll, and operating expenses.