News Summary
Cleveland has allocated a $93,415.50 grant to Mt. Pleasant Bar-B-Q as part of a $1.9 million initiative to revitalize small businesses on the Southeast Side. The funding, from the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to combat decades of disinvestment and improve commercial corridors. Wendy Dennis, owner of the restaurant, plans to use the grant for various enhancements to boost the restaurant’s presence and employee morale, emphasizing community pride. This program reflects the city’s commitment to fostering equitable development in economically challenged areas.
Cleveland has allocated a grant worth $93,415.50 to Mt. Pleasant Bar-B-Q, a well-established restaurant located at 12725 Kinsman Road. This funding is part of a broader initiative aimed at revitalizing small businesses on the Southeast Side through a total distribution of $1.9 million in federal pandemic relief funds to 29 businesses in the area.
The grants are designed to combat decades of disinvestment in the Southeast Side, with the funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The initiative focuses on enhancing commercial corridors, including Lee Road, Kinsman Road, Miles Avenue, and Union Avenue, under Mayor Justin Bibb’s Southeast Side Promise. This plan seeks to facilitate commercial redevelopment and revitalization projects in areas that have faced economic decline.
Marvin Owens Jr., who serves as the Southeast Side senior strategist for the mayor’s office, stated that the initiative aims to attract investment back into communities that have experienced over thirty years of disinvestment. Joevrose Bourdeau Small, Cleveland’s Director of Economic Development, highlighted the program’s emphasis on equitable development while noting that the total applications for the funding surpassed $5 million, with criteria focusing on impact and visible improvements. The maximum funding limit for individual businesses is capped at $99,999.
In addition to Mt. Pleasant Bar-B-Q, other recipients of the grants include Kaba’s African Market Inc. ($24,110), Mass Orthopedic LLC ($10,041), Deja Vu Salon/Barber Inc. ($99,999), and Exclusive Learners Language Academy, LLC ($99,999).
Wendy Dennis, the owner of Mt. Pleasant Bar-B-Q, has plans for substantial interior and exterior enhancements with the grant funds. Proposed upgrades encompass cosmetic improvements, new signage, enhanced exterior lighting for safety, and the installation of a new back door. Although zoning and permitting requirements may cause some delays in implementing these improvements, business owners are optimistic about the positive impact of the grant.
The restaurant has a rich history, having been in operation for 83 years since it originally opened in 1942. Dennis expressed confidence that the grant will not only elevate the restaurant’s physical presence but also inspire improved employee morale and cultivate community pride through better surroundings. The distribution of funds to beneficiaries is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
This grant initiative reflects the city’s commitment to revitalizing economically challenged areas and fostering community development. The strategic focus on key commercial corridors and equitable growth underscores a systematic approach to addressing longstanding issues of disinvestment.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Cleveland Mayor Invests $1.9 Million in Southeast Businesses
Cleveland Invests $1.9 Million in Small Businesses
Cleveland Announces $1.9 Million Investment in Small Businesses
Cleveland Metroparks Unveils Community Sailing Center Plans
Cleveland’s Southeast Side Promise Initiative Shows Progress
Cleveland’s Southeast Side Promise Initiative Achieves Milestone
East Cleveland Faces Financial Crisis Amid Receivership Proposal
Cleveland Guardians Make Historic Comeback in AL Central
Cleveland Browns Secure New Stadium Approval
Margaret Sanchez Appointed as New President of Esperanza
Additional Resources
- WKYC: Cleveland invests nearly $2M in city businesses
- Crain’s Cleveland: Cleveland awards $1.9M grants to businesses
- WKYC: Video on Cleveland’s investment in businesses
- Cleveland Magazine: Local eateries featured
- News 5 Cleveland: Historic black-owned restaurant
- Wikipedia: Cleveland
- Google Search: Small business grants Cleveland
- Google Scholar: Economic revitalization
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community development
- Google News: Cleveland economic development
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
