The City of Erie announced a new round of flagship microgrant awards for small businesses, funded by interest on the city's revolving loan funds and matched by $100,000 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Main Street Matters program.

"A critical part of this vision is bringing more people to Erie and helping more small businesses grow here in Erie," the mayor (name not specified) said while announcing the awards on Monday. The mayor said the city would announce "39 more awards totaling 141,458 dollars and 95 cents."

Chris Groener, director of the Office of Development Services, said the program is designed to "provide financial assistance to support market ready products and services" and to strengthen Erie's small-business sector. "This year, funding awards will be granted up to $5,000," Groener said. He added that a "1 to 1 funding match was required, and grant dollars are awarded on a reimbursement basis."

Groener explained eligibility rules: applicants must be businesses registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a physical address in the city of Erie; preference was given to businesses with 25 or fewer employees. He listed eligible uses including marketing and advertising, facade and building improvements, specialized equipment, computer hardware and software, and website development.

Officials said the flagship fund is financed by interest earned on the city's revolving loan funds and is separate from the city's operating budget. Groener also credited the state's Main Street Matters program and Governor Josh Shapiro's administration for enabling the city to reach nearly twice the number of small businesses it otherwise could.

Transcript statements contain a minor discrepancy: the mayor said 39 awards would be announced, while Groener said the city "was able to support 38 businesses in the city with an award, total of over $141,458." The city did not provide an immediate clarification during the press conference.

Groener read a list of named recipients present and thanked applicants. Examples of named awardees included The Arts Council of Erie, Bakery on Fifth, Lavery's Brewing, Wheelchairs and More, Ye Olde Sweet Shop, Empowered Life Community Development Corporation and others. In total, city officials said that since 2018 the flagship program has awarded grants to 198 small businesses for $570,579.22, which the mayor said has been leveraged into ‘‘well over $1,000,000’’ in small-business investments.

Both officials said they are available for interviews after the event and invited awardees to gather for a group photo. For more information on the flagship fund and other loan programs, Groener directed listeners to the city's website (official URL: cityof.erie.pa.us/flagshipfund).