The Jamestown Local Development Corporation recently approved two grants under the New Business Development grant program. Both businesses were noted for their involvement in the community and awarded based on their plans to expand and enhance their services for the community. Pictured are board members of the Jamestown Local Development Corporation during a recent meeting.

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation is hoping to help new businesses thrive and expand in Jamestown by providing grants through American Rescue Plan Act funding.

Last week, the JLDC board unanimously approved two grants for the city’s New Business Development grant program. Tim O’Dell, grants manager for the Department of Development, provided JLDC board members with an overview of two grant applications and the Department of Development’s recommendation to provide a $25,000 grant award for Pearl City Cycle and a $25,000 grant award for Ballgame Heroes.

O’Dell also explained the intention of the New Business Development grant program.

“The purpose of the New Business Development grant was to provide funding to assist new business development by providing grants for costs associated with growing a new business,” he said. “It was eligible for businesses that were in operation for more than two years and in operation for less than five years.”

According to O’Dell, some of the eligible new business costs that businesses in the community were eligible to apply for funding towards included expanding products and services, acquiring a place of business operation, marketing initiatives, purchasing equipment and machinery for various business services, creating sustainable employment and redeveloping or creating a storefront facade.

Regarding Pearl City Cycle’s New Business Development grant application, O’Dell said the business was established in 2021 as a mobile bike shop that services Jamestown and various surrounding communities. Odell explained that Pearl City Cycle is “very involved” in the Jamestown community by hosting bicycle rodeos, group rides and other events in the city. He added that the business is a strong advocate for residents utilizing the city’s trails and bike paths.

“Their business plan entails opening up a retail storefront at 245 Fluvanna Avenue,” he said. “It is an ideal location for them because it is located directly near the Riverwalk bike paths and has a large parking lot, and this is good for their clientele as they have plenty of space to test drive bikes before they purchase them.”

According to O’Dell, Pearl City Cycle would use the $25,000 in grant funding to help cover the cost of painting an exterior facade, installing signage on the building, installing signage by the road, painting the interior of the building, installing vinyl on windows and doors and purchasing equipment used for bike repair and maintenance. O’Dell also presented JLDC board members with an overview of Ballgame Heroes, which was founded as a new business in 2021.

“They are a trading card and sports memorabilia store,” he said. “They provide customers with a wide selection of high-quality collectible sports cards at affordable prices.”

Similar to Pearl City Cycle, O’Dell told the JLDC board that Ballgame Heroes is “very heavily involved” in the Jamestown community. As an example, he said the Ballgame Heroes business has sponsored and donated to multiple community sports teams, including the Tarp Skunks, the Jamestown YMCA basketball team, the Jamestown flag football team, and Babe Ruth baseball teams.

“In the instance for funding, their major priority is installation of a new security system,” he said. “This is a child-friendly store, so they want to invest in good security, as well as inventory, marketing initiatives and window signs.”

O’Dell explained that by receiving grant funding to help cover the cost of these items, Ballgame Heroes will be able to redirect their money to fund additional downtown programming events, as well as hire additional staff members to help with the events in Jamestown. Some of the future events planned by Ballgame Heroes include Buffalo Bills player signings, community card shows and kids card trading events.