Small businesses receive grants from Syracuse Economic Development Corporation

Posted: Dec 4, 2020 / 09:19 AM EST / Updated: Dec 4, 2020 / 06:12 PM EST

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Nearly two dozen small businesses in Syracuse were awarded grants from the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation to help them adapt to COVID-19 challenges.

The grants will allow the businesses to purchase supplies, equipment, and enclosures for outdoor dining, technology, and marketing for takeout and online commerce, air purification, HVAC systems, UV lighting for air filtration and sanitation, as well as PPE. Grants ranged from $1,800 to $9,150.

One of the recipients is Limp Lizard, a restaurant that has depended on curbside pickup, deliveries, and outdoor dining to get them through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been tough since the beginning. Obviously, we want to be safe, keep all of our employees, keep all of our customers safe and then just coming up with ideas to keep business going. We’ve been grateful for the community and everything they’ve done to kind of get to this point,” said Nick Ford, the restaurant’s general manager.

SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS: The City of @Syracuse1848 Economic Development Corporation is helping nearly two dozen small businesses in grants ‼️💰

Limp Lizard is one of the recipients. Tune in to @NewsChannel9 at 4:00 to see how they’re using the funds. #LocalSYR #SYR pic.twitter.com/Nnez6sQ592
— 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 (@AdrienneSmithTV) December 4, 2020

Just as many of our small businesses were regaining momentum, the change of seasons brought with it a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus and new threats to our business community. These SEDCO grants will help City businesses adapt to the challenges of the pandemic in the winter months. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy, but they are also the most at risk from the impact of the pandemic. I’m grateful to the SEDCO board for answering the call once again.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh

With the grant money received, Limp Lizard is in the midst of renovating its indoor/outdoor patio at their Onondaga Boulevard location in the city of Syracuse.

Originally, the patio had limited seating. It also was not properly insulated and didn’t have heat.

This money allows the restaurant to install a new HVAC system, new floors, and even garage doors that open up to have better airflow. There’s also going to be additional seating and the renovations simply help with creating more space for proper social distancing.

“I’ve been thinking since the beginning when we went to takeout only – do we do deliveries? Do we do takeout specials? We’ve always kind of been on the forefront of this pandemic, trying to figure out what will work for business to keep going,” Ford explained.

Limp Lizard is hoping the new renovation and upgrades can serve as an incentive to get customers to come dine in, all while feeling safe.

It’s been tough since the beginning. Obviously, we want to be safe, keep all of our employees, keep all of our customers safe and then just coming up with ideas to keep business going. We’ve been grateful for the community and everything they’ve done to kind of get to this point.
Nick Ford, General Manager of Limp Lizard

The full list of grant recipients is below: