MANCHESTER, NH – Today, Mayor Joyce Craig and the City of Manchester announced the distribution of the first round of grants through the Manchester Small Business Resiliency Grant Program. First announced on October 1st, this grant initiative was developed to help small businesses recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s critical that we support our small business community through this difficult time. I’m pleased to announce that we’ve distributed the first $30,000 of the Manchester Small Business Resiliency Grant Program to small businesses to use for expenses like online sales upgrades, payroll, utilities and rent,” said Mayor Joyce Craig.
Patz Deli LLC, CoCo Beauty Salon, The Smoothie Bus Shoppe, McGill's Inc, Lumiere LLC, and Tidewater Catering Group each received a $5,000 grant. The City allocated $250,000 for the grant program and currently has 36 pending applications in addition to the 6 distributed today.
The City of Manchester has contracted with The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Deo Mwano Consultancy for grant administration, marketing and outreach for the program.
Funds are offered through the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program. Eligible small businesses can receive a grant up to $5,000 to go toward eligible business expenses incurred since March 13, 2020.
Additional grants are available for eligible businesses. For more information, email smallbusinessgrant@manchesternh.gov. Eligible businesses can apply here.
The December/January edition of MCL Notes, the Manchester City Library's newsletter, is now available. Thank you for subscribing, and we wish you a happy holiday season and a happy new year!
The Manchester Planning Board is pleased to announce that a draft of the 2020 Manchester Master Plan is available for public review and comment. The Board would welcome any and all comments on the plan. In an effort to release a copy to the public as soon as possible, the draft is not in a completely polished form. The Board is aware of typographical errors and is working to address those while the draft is out for public review.
Please submit all comments by Friday, December 18. Comments can be submitted either by e-mailing masterplan@manchesternh.gov or by mail to:
Manchester Planning Boad
care of the Manchester Planning and Community Development Department
1 City Hall Plaza
Manchester, NH 03101
The Ward 6 Special Election has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at the Henry J. McLaughlin Middle School located at 290 S. Mammoth Road. Ward 6 residents will vote to fill an aldermanic vacancy with a term expiration of January 4, 2022.
Voters can download an absentee ballot application for this election here.
The Ward 6 Special Election has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at the Henry J. McLaughlin Middle School. The filing period will take place from January 4, 2021 through January 15, 2021. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
We are excited to announce that work will begin later this week on the next phase of the Sheehan-Basquil Park Renovation! Improvements include an interactive splash pad, brand new playground and enhanced lighting. Construction is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2021.
Today, Mayor Joyce Craig has released the final map for the third annual ‘Halloween at City Hall,’ scheduled for Friday, October 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year’s event will also include ‘Downtown Trick-or-Treat,’ with trick-or-treaters encouraged to visit downtown participating businesses for a Halloween treat.
For two hours, students, parents, and children are invited to come downtown and get a free book from the Bookmobile, meet Mayor Craig, and grab Halloween treats from participating downtown businesses. The expected forecast is chilly with potential snowfall, so participants should expect to bundle up.
“Halloween looks a little different this year, I’m excited to offer a fun, new, and safe way for kids to trick-or-treat downtown this year,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “I encourage families to come downtown and support local businesses -- just make sure to dress warm and wear a mask!”
Halloween at City Hall will take place outside in City Hall Plaza. All participants are asked to adhere to social distancing and to wear a mask.
Participating organizations include 900 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria, Ben & Jerry’s, Boards & Brews, Bonfire Restaurant & Country Bar, Bookery Manchester, City Hall, Creative Framing Solutions, Congressman Chris Pappas’ Office, Cookson Communications, Diz’s Cafe, Foundry, Framers Market, Granite State Candy Shoppe, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, Republic of Campo, WZID, and the YMCA.