🔒Hartford awards $2M to small businesses through neighborhood investment program

Eight Hartford businesses and property owners will receive a combined $2.08 million to renovate storefronts and strengthen neighborhood commercial corridors under the city’s new Neighborhood Investment Fund. Mayor Arunan Arulampalam announced the first round of recipients Wednesday, joined by City Council President Shirley Surgeon and local business leaders. The $1.6 million in forgivable loans will be paired with $481,250 in matching funds from recipients to improve properties along Albany Avenue, Park Street and Maple Avenue. Grant recipients include Jam-Dung Supermarket, Spice & Soul, Island Fish Head Restaurant, Upper Albany Main Street, South End Pizza, Fung Chinese, Caribe Restaurant and several service-oriented offices. The initiative is part of an $11.5 million program launched last year to boost homeownership, expand economic opportunity and revitalize Hartford neighborhoods. Property owners can receive forgivable loans of up to $250,000 per project. “This program is about people, not just projects,” Arulampalam said. “Each storefront we help open or renovate brings new energy, jobs and pride to our commercial corridors.”