Rolly Pollies Recieves First Small Business Grant

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing business services to our members, remaining an integral part of your circle of influence. Currently, access to capital is a major challenge for businesses of all sizes but, especially, for small businesses. For that reason, the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with our Business Resource Council, decided to dedicate the residuals from our endorsed products partnerships to creating the Small Business Grant Program. Every time our members work with these partners, they donate a portion of the money received to further help a worthy business.

Currently, we have three partners – National Fuel Resources, MetroData Services and CoreIP Systems. National Fuel Resources has partnered with the Amherst Chamber to deliver long-term comprehensive energy solutions to our members.  CoreIP Systems and MetroData Services both return funds to the grant program each time one of our members does business with them. We are also proud to announce a new partnership with Franchise Development Group, a division of NOCO. More information on this partnership will be coming soon.

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the first Small Business Resource Grant has been awarded to Rollie Pollies of Amherst. Rolly Pollies is a facility that develops children physically, intellectually and socially in order to build the self esteem and confidence needed for a healthy and successful life. Opened by Jim and Danielle Fleckenstien in 2005, Rolly Pollies offers the best in children’s fitness, art, music and birthday parties. They will use the grant for hiring additional personnel and infant and child CPR training and first aid.

The Business Resource Council will be choosing and awarding a second grant for 2010 in October based on the availability of funds and revenues from our endorsed product partners. Among other requirements to receive the grant, businesses must be a member in good standing of the Amherst Chamber for two years, filing corporate taxes for three years. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, more information or to apply for the Small Business Resource Grant, please visit www.amherst.org. Please contact Colleen DiPirro at 632-6905 if your company is interested in creating an endorsed product partnership.