Sharon has been working hard to revitalize and develop the city with the help of ARP funds. Thursday, the 18th of August, Sharon announced that an additional $830,000 in ARP money would go to six local businesses to help with the revitalization efforts.
"With this round, we are funding six businesses and organizations to move four projects forward," said Bob Fiscus, Sharon City Manager. "We are really focused on revitalization in our grant choices to help build up our business community with the ARPA funds."
The Valley Shenango Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) is getting $300,000 to promote development in 'The Landing,' a former Westinghouse plant. The project this money will fund is an Aquaponics facility, "a year-round indoor farming operation which can grow almost any type of pesticide, herbicide, and antibiotic-free produce and fish," according to the city's press release.
"We're excited to see this aquaponics facility impact our local food economy," said VSEDC Vice Board Chairman Brad Mantzell. The fourth business will receive $80,000 to help with the Aquaponics start-up cost. That includes supplies, testing, equipment, and training.
"Aquaponics will provide fresh foods, educational and collaborative opportunities, as well as training for future entrepreneurs in the City of Sharon," said Karen Winner-Sed, CEO of WestWinn LLC. "We are grateful to the City of Sharon for seeing this vision along with us. To be able to reuse the former Westinghouse Facility for this purpose is the definition of transformation and a welcomed and exciting addition to our Sharon business community. "
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