Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Two Salem businesses, Wonderous Books & more and The Knittin’ Coop, were selected earlier this summer as the recipients of $10,000 Backing Small Businesses grants from American Express and Main Street America.
The Salem businesses were among a batch of 500 small businesses that were selected.
Savannah Oaks is the owner of Wonderous Books & more.
“We are so grateful to be chosen for this grant! We are so excited to be able to add more inventory, be able to put on and participate in upcoming events, and add a new sign to our building,” Oaks said. “These updates will help us be able to continue to reach the community and make better relations with our customers.”
Robin Ferguson, owner of The Knittin’ Coop, said, that the business has been a long-time dream of hers.
“When I opened five years ago on Aug. 1, I never imagined that six months later, we would be thrown into the darkness of a pandemic. Because my business was so new I didn’t qualify for any of the assistance offered. Winning this grant has allowed me to bring more new inventory to my customers that I have been waiting to purchase. In addition, I am adding a new sign so that my business is more visible. I’m happy to be Downtown Salem’s Local Yarn Shop,” he said.
The program’s 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses, according to a release.
Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.
“We are truly thrilled to provide additional support to our country’s small business owners through the Backing Small Businesses grant program, along with our partners at American Express,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “These grants are no small thing – and will go far in helping our neighborhood and downtown entrepreneurs build capacity, continue to innovate and grow, and make meaningful contributions in their home communities.”
This program is part of American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants. Backing Small is an extension of American Express’ longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
