The Lancaster City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) Authority has awarded more than $331,000 in grants and loans to support the growth of four city businesses as part of its new $5 million Small Business Financial Assistance Fund. The program was established to support small business growth and prosperity in the CRIZ district within the city of Lancaster.

In partnership with the EDC Finance Corporation, the grant and loan program was developed to support renovations and the purchase of real estate, new fixtures, furniture and equipment for small businesses. Matching grants of up to $25,000 and low-interest loans of up to $100,000 are available.

Among the recent grant and loan recipients is Babylon Kebab Grill, which received a $17,715 grant and a $48,917 loan for professional design services/development fees, leasehold improvements and equipment to support the development of a new restaurant, Babylon Kebab Grill, within the Place Marie Mall, 52 N. Queen St. (Suite 7A).

Drift Spa Lancaster was awarded a $25,000 grant and a $89,584 loan for leasehold improvements, fixtures, furniture and equipment to support the development of a new health and beauty spa, Drift Spa, to be located within the Lancaster Marriott Hotel at Penn Square, 25 S. Queen St.

Sun & Moon Realty received a $25,000 grant and a $100,000 loan to support the cost of purchasing the real estate at 38 W. Orange St. to enable the relocation and expansion of existing restaurant business Issei Noodle, currently located at 44 N. Queen St.

Champ Realty was awarded a $25,000 grant to support the cost of purchasing the real estate at 54 W. King St. for Champ Hall Enterprises Inc. (Champ's Barber School).

The CRIZ program is an economic development program that taps into certain state and local tax dollars generated by businesses in the CRIZ to fund redevelopment and small business growth within the designated zone. The CRIZ program is intended to help accelerate economic growth in Lancaster city in key areas that align with the city's economic development strategic plan.

Not all of Lancaster city is within the CRIZ, but portions of the city's downtown, as well as portions of South Duke Street, West King Street, Manor Street and the area around the Barnstormers' stadium, fall within the designated zone. The program was developed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to spur economic growth and provide the opportunity to develop vacant or underutilized buildings. The CRIZ program also seeks to help create jobs and encourage entrepreneurs to invest in Lancaster.

Lancaster city has been a part of the CRIZ program since 2013, and previously, money generated from the CRIZ program went to large-scale economic development projects like the recent redevelopment of the building now known as 101NQ, 101 N. Queen St., and the adjoining Ewell Plaza. With the goal of providing more equitable access to funding, attracting and retaining small businesses in the city, and enhancing the streetscape, the CRIZ Authority began piloting grants for the CRIZ Small Business Financial Assistance program in 2018.

The pilot program awarded small business grants of up to $25,000 to 14 businesses, nine of which were minority-owned and six of which were woman-owned. Two examples of the pilot grants are Sara's Grocery & Deli, which recieved a $17,845 grant for façade/storefront improvements at 259 W. King St., and Concrete Rose Book Bar, which recieved a $20,000 grant to purchase and install new equipment in support of the development of a new wine bar and bookstore at Plaza Centro, 910 S. Duke St., Suite 105.

The most recent grants and loans issued this fall mark the end of the pilot program and the beginning of the official Lancaster CRIZ Authority Small Business Financial Assistance program.

Lancaster city is one of three CRIZ programs in the state. The other two are in Bethlehem and Tamaqua. The Lancaster CRIZ Authority and its programs have been under the administration and staff support of Lancaster City Alliance since June 2021. Businesses may inquire about CRIZ Small Business Financial Assistance grant and loan opportunities by contacting Lancaster City Alliance at info@teamlanc.org or 717-394-0783.