Times Journal – October 14, 2020
SEEC is still accepting business applications for the Resiliency Fund program that awards local money to local businesses. Established companies may request a zero percent interest loan of $5,000, of which half may be forgiven as a grant or, as nearly two dozen businesses have elected, apply for a $2,500 grant to off-set expenses that are COVID-related.
The two latest businesses to receive awards are J Lacy in Schoharie and Power-Up Health Fitness Performance in Warnerville. Apply online at www.seecny.org/funding-tools.
J Lacy was established in 1979 and continues to operate on Main Street, Schoharie despite massive floods that wreaked havoc on the community less than a decade ago.
Owner Leslie Price saw her salon shut down during COVID, but has found a way to evolve her business to keep serving customers.
Ms. Price will use her SEEC grant to renovate a room so she can add waxing and lash extension services.
Following months of closure, NY Forward allowed gyms and fitness centers to reopen August 24 during Phase Four with safety precautions that included reduced occupancy, social distancing, and adding acrylic guards and face masks.
Most significant to gym operators was the unknown impact of modifying air-handling systems to ensure the central HVAC filtration met the highest rated filtration compatible system and each system was required to be certified and documented by a HVAC technician.
Power-Up Fitness owners, Travis Hyer and Donna Pesta, powered-through and innovated.
Mr. Hyer immediately provided clientele with online workout videos and Ms. Pesta was able to move spinning bikes to member’s homes and began to teach virtual spinning classes.
Their SEEC Resiliency funds will be used to cover the additional and on-going expenses brought on by COVID-19 requirements such as an air purification system, hands-free sanitizer stations, cleaning supplies,
and HVAC inspection and filters.
