CenterState CEO Announces Recipients of COVID-19 Small Business Stabilization Grants

Posted On
June 17, 2020

Image
Kbbb Ny Stabilizationfund With Ceo Logo

$150,000 awarded to small businesses throughout Onondaga County

SYRACUSE, NY - CenterState CEO recently awarded $150,000 in stabilization grants to 31 small businesses in Onondaga County that were negatively impacted by COVID-19. 

Grants of up to $5,000 were distributed to businesses in health and wellness, service, hospitality and lifestyle industries, prioritizing businesses that were ineligible for emergency relief funding through the Small Business Administration. In addition to the grant, businesses also receive technical assistance and one-on-one consultation.

Technical assistance is being made available to all grant applicants, provided by KeyBank Business Boost & Build C.U.S.E. Collaborative partners, including CenterState CEO’s Up Start program, the South Side Innovation Center, WiSE Women’s Business Center and the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance.

“This fund was intended to fill identified gaps in available emergency relief funding. Many of these businesses were unable to access the Paycheck Protection Program and other federal relief funding sources,” said Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “These grants provide businesses disproportionally hit by the public health and economic crisis with needed capital. We are also working with partners to secure funding for a second round of grants.”

Of the businesses receiving grants, 74% are women-owned. 64% are minority-owned. The grants helped mitigate loss caused by the crisis by providing immediate cash to cover payroll and other expenses incurred during the pandemic.

“I was really excited when I found out I was awarded a grant. So many small businesses are struggling right now. This grant will help cover bills so that I can stay afloat, and I may actually be able to get ahead of the game,” said Wayne Wright, The Wright Cut Barbershop.

Administered by CenterState CEO’s Up Start program with funding provided by the KeyBank Business Boost & Build Program powered by JumpStart, the fund was part of a plan to deploy $500,000 in relief funds to small business communities throughout Upstate New York in response to the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we reopen our economy, this crucial funding will help businesses challenged by COVID-19 rebound and sustain,” said Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President. “We thank JumpStart, CenterState CEO and all of our partners for their willingness to join with us to provide this assistance and guidance to small businesses in Central New York.” 

Grant Recipients Include:
(* Includes a hyperlink to video (Waliek Betts, owner of All Money Spends and Dreamer Glenn, co-owner of Miss Prissy’s). Media may include these videos in reporting.)

A Taste of Philadelphia

African & Caribbean Central Market

All Money Spends*

All Times Promotional Products, dba Spinnaker Custom Products

BulBul, LLC

Cathy's Cookie Kitchen

CLLTVE

CNY Latino

Divine Destiny

Guleyso Learning Childcare

Half Moon Bakery & Bistro, LLC

It Takes a Village Daycare

Kin Architecture Studio, PLLC

L Stacks Construction Co. LLC

Mindbody Connection Massage and Fitness

Miss Prissy's*

Mixed Methods

Mr. Biggs Restaurant LLC

Mystic Side Gift and Book

Pb&j's Lunchbox, LLC

Pearfect Productions

R.H.Fire, LLC

RAZZLE DAZZLE ITALIAN ICES

Red Racer Auto Finishers, Inc., dba Grace Auto Body and Paint

Plus Sign & Graphics

Southside Fitness

The Creators Lounge

The Floral Gardens

UniqueImpact, Inc.

Volpe Nails of Cicero, LLC

The Wright Cut Barbershop 

 

CENTERSTATE CEO NEWS MEDIA CONTACT

Elle Hanna

Director of Communications & Media Relations

ehanna@centerstateceo.com 

 

JUMPSTART NEWS MEDIA CONTACT

Vicki McDonald

Media Relations

(216) 502-6395 (cell)

vicki.mcdonald@jumpstartinc.org 

 

KEYBANK NEWS MEDIA CONTACT

Matthew Pitts

Communications Manager – Northeast Ohio, Western & Central New York

(716) 270-4243 (work)

(716) 903-8468 (cell)

matthew_pitts@keybank.com 

 

ABOUT CENTERSTATE CEO

CenterState CEO is an independent and forward thinking economic development strategist, business leadership organization and chamber of commerce; dedicated to the success of its members and the prosperity of the region. We serve as an advocate and resource for smart business, catalyze and facilitate regional growth, and promote community prosperity through results-driven partnerships, planning and problem-solving. www.centerstateceo.com

 

ABOUT JUMPSTART INC.

JumpStart unlocks the full potential of diverse and ambitious entrepreneurs to economically transform entire communities. For more information, visit www.jumpstartinc.org and follow @JumpStartInc on Twitter.

 

ABOUT KEYBANK

KeyBank's roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $156.2 billion at March 31, 2020. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and more than 1,400 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

 

###

Other
CEO News

Image
CenterState CEO GSBDC graphic
CEO News | 04/10/2025

CenterState CEO and Greater Syracuse Business Development Corporation form New Partnership

CenterState CEO and the Greater Syracuse Business Development Corporation (GSBDC) announced a new strategic partnership to scale GSBDC’s lending resources and better serve the region’s small businesses.

Image
Greg Ayers Start It graphic
CEO News | 03/31/2025

In Conversation with Greg Ayers

Ahead of the Blueprint 15 cohort's graduation, Greg Ayers discussed what makes Start It! classes work and why the cohort he's teaching is special. 

Image
ON-RAMP-CEO-Search
CEO News | 03/31/2025

CenterState CEO opens search for founding CEO of ON-RAMP

To meet employer demand and fulfill the promise of this unprecedented opportunity, New York State Empire State Development (ESD) has engaged CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO), a Syracuse-based business…

Image
Sears Building
CEO News | 03/28/2025

Gov. Hochul Announces Selection of First Flagship ON-RAMP Site in Syracuse

Formerly known as the site of the Sears Building, 1300 South Salina Street has been selected as the future home of New York State’s first ON-RAMP Workforce Innovation Hub.

Image
40 Over 40 Congratulations
CEO News | 03/25/2025

Kevin Schwab, Dr. Emad Rahim and Jamar Clarke to be Honored with Inaugural Central New York 40 Over 40 Awards

This groundbreaking initiative recognizes accomplished professionals over the age of 40 who continue to drive innovation, leadership and social impact across Central New York.

Image
Business of the Year Finalists 2025
CEO News | 03/12/2025

CenterState CEO Announces 2025 Business of the Year Finalists

CenterState CEO has announced finalists for its prestigious 2025 Business of the Year Awards.The awards recognize member companies in five categories: Business with fewer than 50 Employees; Business with more than 50 Employees; Community…

Image
Annabel R Chang - 2025 CenterState CEO Annual Meeting Spealer
CEO News | 03/12/2025

Annabel R. Chang Announced as Speaker for 2025 CenterState CEO Annual Meeting

CenterState CEO will welcome Annabel R. Chang, director and head of state policy and government relations at autonomous driving technology company Waymo, to Syracuse for its 2025 Annual Meeting at the Oncenter, April 23 2025.

Image
Board of Directors Annual Elections
CEO News | 03/06/2025

Members: Vote on CenterState CEO's Board of Directors, 2025-28

Vote on CenterState CEO’s proposed 2025-2028 board of directors.

Image
Nora Spillane promotion graphic
CEO News | 03/05/2025

CenterState CEO Announces New Senior Leadership Update

CenterState CEO is proud to announce that Nora Spillane has been appointed as the new Senior Vice President of Inclusive Growth.