A new day dawns on the Mt. Airy business corridor

Under the City of Philadelphia’s new Safer at Home guidelines, many local businesses find themselves faced with new restrictions heading into the holiday season. This, of course, comes after months of business drastically altered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to get ahead of a need, Mt. Airy CDC has launched a second Go Mt. Airy Business Relief Fund

“A community-centered place like Mt. Airy puts tremendous value on small businesses,” said Brad Copeland, Executive Director of Mt. Airy CDC. “We’ve created this new Business Relief Fund with a hope of building on the success of the first one.” 

With its first fund, which ran from March 17th through the end of May, the organization raised over $47,000 from over 100 donors, distributed in three rounds to 52 local businesses. And as with the first one, the fund relies on donations from residents, friends, and supporters of small businesses.

While the year has certainly taken an unusual shape, much of the work Mt. Airy CDC has carried out across its 40th anniversary has remained true to the organization’s mission to preserve, empower, and enrich a vibrant and diverse Mt. Airy. In its early days as Mt. Airy Village Development Corporation, the organization worked to rebuild the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor and foster the growth of diverse small businesses. That work continues today through management of the Go Mt. Airy Business Association and the PhillyiHub business training program.

Who is Fund open to?

The Business Relief Fund is open to businesses of all sizes operating in and around 19119. It will remain open through the end of December, with grants to be issued in early January. As with the first Fund, businesses will submit an application to be reviewed by Mt. Airy CDC’s Business Services team and the board of directors. 

“If you can, we welcome donations to our Fund, which goes directly to businesses for rent, utilities, wages, tips, and other operating expenses,” said Copeland. “But especially during this holiday season, we encourage everyone to shop local — to shop Mt. Airy.” 

To donate to the Go Mt. Airy Business Relief Fund, visit www.mtairycdc.org/covidrelief2

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