SAN ANTONIO — Small San Antonio businesses that were heavily impacted by COVID and construction, recently, got a big boost. It is all part of a grant program with the City of San Antonio Development Services and LiftFund. As a part of this program, more than $2.4 million dollars was awarded.
Alyce Sanchez who owns The Hair Palace off Old Highway 90 was one of the 91 businesses that received money. She said the money was greatly needed.
"My customers can't even get in here," she said. "Me and the girls have to go outside and roll them (cones) away."
For the last few years, she has felt the brunt of COVID and construction.
Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, the City of San Antonio's Director of Economic Development, said businesses were suffering that one-two punch.
"We of course hear about the supply chain challenges that companies were facing," she said.” There was those concerns about recession as costs continue to go up. Then they were struggling with the construction the loss of customers."
For more than two years, Sanchez said her westside business has been surrounded by orange cones.
"Now it looks a little better," she said. "But it is confusing because they have a one way."
As a result, the city had this grant program for the businesses. There were certain requirements businesses had to meet like being in 15 construction corridors.
"Small businesses are really the heart and soul of the community," Hicks-Sorensen said.
Sanchez applied for the program.
"She was like, wow you got it," she said. "It is like what. I started paying all the bills. I was like yes. “I probably would have still been behind on bills or probably piled up more than what they were."
The average award of funds is $26,856.46.