Town of Montgomery Supervisor Brian Maher announced Thursday that the Town of Montgomery Community Response Team’s newly established Business Relief Program has allocated $82,000 to 47 local businesses within the Town of Montgomery, including the Villages of Walden, Montgomery and Maybrook. Town of Montgomery businesses negatively impacted due to COVID-19 filled out an online application and an advisory scored the applications based on need.

The Response Team was established to assist the Town of Montgomery in response to COVID-19. Their business relief program awarded $750 to $2,500 based on the severity of each business’ situation. Priority was given to local businesses who were forced to shut down due to the pandemic and did not receive any additional government or private aid.

The Town of Montgomery Community Response Team is a charitable fund of the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan.

“Helping to facilitate $82,000 in aid to dozens of Town of Montgomery small businesses in response to COVID-19 is something we are very proud of,” said Elizabeth Rowley, executive director of the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan. “This partnership is an example of how we can work together to provide creative solutions during this unprecedented pandemic.”

Marie Berger, owner of Tickled Pink in Walden, benefited greatly from the business relief program. She received $2,500 in grant funding.

“If it wasn’t for them [The Town of Montgomery Community Response Team] I wouldn’t be open,” Berger said. “It [the grant funding] allowed me to keep my business open, that’s what it did for me because I couldn’t pay the rent, I couldn’t pay my vendor, my credit card was maxed out from buying inventory. If it wasn’t for the grant, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Secret Garden Florist had fallen on hard times during this pandemic, with far fewer customers. The grant funding from the Business Relief Program helped to pay the business’ bills.

“Like everybody else we’re struggling and every little bit helps,” said owner Bonnie McDermott.

The Business Relief Program was funded through the donations of the Project Sailfish team and Medline Industries, Inc. The Project Sailfish team helped raise over $100,000 through a handful of donations collected by those involved with the proposed Amazon development and Medline Industries kicked in another $50,000 through a Community Benefits Agreement with the Village Preservation Committee. Those large donations coupled with dozens of smaller donations help continue to make the Business Relief Program possible. Due to these hefty donations, a second round of funding to businesses in Montgomery will be offered in the future.

Town of Montgomery Supervisor Brian Maher commended the Project Sailfish team and Medline Industries Inc. for their help during this trying time.

“As our community moves toward a direction that will be less focused on recruiting warehouses, it is important to work with the current large distribution facilities we have and recognize the value they can bring to our community,” he said. “In the past we have not engaged these large businesses enough. When asked to help our town in our time of need they have answered the call and I believe they will continue to be there for us moving forward. Right now we have an opportunity to maximize the value of our past developments while creating a new future.”

Those who have questions regarding the Town of Montgomery Community Response Team’s Business Relief Program can email tomstrong23ny@gmail.com.