October 13th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

Stu Czapski of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation gave a short update to the Mayor and City Council about the Business Attraction grant program for downtown.  $30,000 is available for new business start-ups to help with rent for the first 6 months after opening. Right now 9 applicants are readying businesses to open within the downtown footprint.  One key of the businesses being able to utilize the grant money is hiring and keeping 3 full-time and 6 part-time employees.  Czapski said that making the money available to new businesses only prevents others from just moving around town to secure grant monies.