a 501c3 non-profit with a mission centered around economic and cultural vibrancy in Downtown Nashua, NH
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The Downtowner
Your Source For All Things Local!
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Dear Downtowner,
Over the past few months Great American Downtown has been hard at work with our partners in the City of Nashua Economic Development Division, Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of Greater Nashua in support of our small businesses and organizations here in our community. We’ve been partnering to organize weekly calls with subject matter experts on many topics, from various City departments, and a number of times with our friends at the Merrimack Valley Small Business Development Center. We continue to stay in touch with over 200 small businesses, and keep information about support resource flowing. We’ve also been working to conduct surveys over time to determine where gaps in support might be – and one of the areas of our small business economy that could still use a lift are your independent business owners and sole proprietors. Today, I’m including some information about two great opportunities for support – to ensure that as many of these folks have access to this information as possible.
Do you know a NH Barber, Hairdresser, or independent small business person who needs financial support to help them thrive? Many of these folks who rent a booth, chair, or otherwise are the sole employee of their business could stand to benefit from the below programs. Share this with them!
STATE OF NH FUNDING
On June 25th, Governor Sununu announced a new relief effort for the self-employed called SELF, the Self-Employment Livelihood Fund.
To be eligible a business must meet the following criteria:
· Be located in NH
· The owner must be the only employee
· The business must be for-profit
· The business can’t be permanently closed, not including those that temporarily closed due to COVID-19
· The business can’t currently be in bankruptcy
· The business must have had gross receipts in 2019 of less than $1 million
· The maximum award a business can receive is $50,000.
Applications will be accepted from July 6th to July 17th.
Keep an eye out at the NH GOEFERR Site for more information as soon as it becomes available.
https://www.goferr.nh.gov/covid-expenditures/new-hampshire-self-employed-livelihood-fund-self
FEDERAL FUNDING
The Federal Government is Still Accepting Applications For The EIDL Grant!
The program initially ran out of funding, but has been renewed, and as of today applications are still available to get funds for your business. The core of the EIDL is a loan product, but in this current setting there is an advance on the EDIL of $1,000 per employee, up to $10,000. In most cases the proprietor is the first employee, and so you likely count as the first $1,000 even if you are the only employee of your business). The grant portion is just that, it is a grant â and not a loan that has to be paid back. You also do not need to take the loan to qualify for the grant portion. This and the NH SELF program may be especially good opportunities for businesses like barber shops and salons, where staff are often considered self employed and rent their own booth. If your business fits that description, please share this information with your staff so that they can consider these programs before the money runs out â and feel free to share with your neighbors in the industry.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance
One of the things that makes Nashua a vibrant and thriving place are the hundreds of small businesses, who work hard to serve their neighbors and keep Nashua running. We hope that many business owners from our community have been getting the support they need. Support local when and how you can. As NH continues to open up more, and we keep the curve flat – let’s work together to make sure that the businesses that we know and love are able to survive and thrive!
Wishing you and yours a safe, happy, and healthy Independence Day!
Warmly,
Paul Shea
Executive Director
Great American Downtown
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For more Downtown information, visit DowntownNashua.org
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Our photo of the week was shared by Riverwalk Cafe! They wrote: “You may not be able to see it, but Mike is smiling and is as happy as a clam to be roasting this morning! Stop by and grab a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans!” We are really excited to announce that Riverwalk will join us this Sunday at the Nashua Farmers Market. Not only is the market a great stop for all your local fruit, veggies, protein, maple, eggs and more – but now you can pick up a bag of fresh roasted coffee to enjoy!
Do you have some great pictures of our vibrant Downtown you’d like to show off? Post them to our Facebook page, or send them to us by email! We love to share images that capture the beauty and excitement of Downtown Nashua.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Nashua city services reopen
Monday, June 6
Nashuaâs Motor Vehicle and Assessing Departments will partially reopen on Monday, July 6 for in-person transactions. The Nashua Public Library will also open on July 6, offering limited in-person services. All other essential city services will continue to be conducted as they have for the past few months â online, via regular mail, City Hall dropbox or by phone.
Mayor Jim Donchess, along with public health and emergency management officials continue to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 virus. Safety protocols and helpful signage are in place for members of the public who enter City Hall, including the requirement to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. A limited number of people will be allowed into City Hall at all times, to ensure the health and safety of all. Face masks will be provided to those who do not have one.
Affected/reopening departments include:
- City Clerks office
- Motor Vehicle
- Assessing and GIS Department
- Nashua Public Library
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Division of Public Health and Community Services
- The Community Health Department
- The Environmental Health Department
- The Welfare Department
- Voter Registration and Absentee Ballots
- Birth, death or marriage certificates
- Dog license renewal.
The city has provided a very comprehensive resource list with details and links, which we have put into a blog for you, with more information.
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DOWNTOWN NEIGHBOR OFFICIALLY OPENS!
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Vibe Yoga welcomes you!
Official opening Sunday, July 5
11 amâ 6 pm
NASHUA â Vibe Yoga, at 182 Main Street in Downtown Nashua, will open its new studio on Sunday, July 5. Owner and instructor Melissa Coppola invites you to check out her new space.
Coppola will be offer five classes beginning at 11 am Sunday, to celebrate the official opening, with each class limited to 8 people in order to maintain social distancing. Pre-registration is required.
The day will start with an outdoor class at 9 am at Fields Grove. Complete schedule of classes for opening day, as well as the rest of the month, can be found here.
Opening Day Classes:
9 am: Outdoor All Levels Yoga at Fields Grove Park with Melissa
11 am: Gentle Yoga â Melissa
2 pm: Yoga Flow â Michelle
4 pm: Yoga Flow â Leah
6 pm: Vibe Hip Hop Yoga â Melissa
This is a new direction for her career, she said. âI worked at BAE Systems for 17 years and was compelled to change careers in order to do something that would allow me to prioritize my passions for yoga and music,â Coppola said. âIt was important for me to be located on Main Street where I can become more involved with the Nashua Downtown community. I couldnât have found a better location!â
Vibe Yoga features various levels of Vinyasa based Yoga with a focus on flow and connecting movement to breath, paired with invigorating music. âI have been a performing rapper for 15 years and have a deep love for hip hop culture. Vibe Yoga marries my love for hip hop and yoga,â Coppola said. âYou should expect all of the classes at Vibe Yoga to have awesome playlists of all different types of music, with some classes specifically offering hip hop. We also will be featuring yoga classes with live musicians and DJs each month.â
Classes will include Gentle Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga Flow and a Yoga 101 six-week beginner series, tailored for all levels of experience. Vibe Yoga studio is housed at the former location of jajaBelle’s, for those Nashuans familiar with downtown.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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FARMERS MARKET â FRESH TO YOU, SUNDAY!
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Nashua Farmers Market
Open every Sunday, 10 amâ2 pm
With good social distancing in mind, and to accommodate as many vendors as possible, this season we will be operating on three sides of City Hall (229 Main Street) with lots of space between vendors (map shown above), a requirement for all to wear masks, a one-way flow of foot traffic and other health and safety measures.
This location for the 2020 season is conveniently located next to the Elm Street Parking Garage, which has free parking on all levels daily after 5 pm, as well as all day Saturdays and Sundays!
Vendor list and more information on safety practices can be found by clicking below. We canât wait to see you all again!
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SCONTSAS TAKING A WELL-EARNED VACATION
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Scontsas Fine Jewelry & Home Decor
closed for vacation
July 4â13
Scontsas Fine Jewelry & Home Decor wanted to let their loyal customers know they’re taking a pause to enjoy the summer holiday season. Their store at 169-173 Main Street will be closed for a week, starting Saturday.
Stop in and check out their gorgeous “fireworks” before they head out, like the incredible piece shown above! Open 11 amâ5 pm weekdays.
They will reopen their dazzling shop on Tuesday, July 14.
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ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?!
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Over the Edge rappelling fundraiser
for United Way of Greater Nashua
July 22, 23
Sign up by next Friday, July 10!
You’ll rappel 24 stories down the outside of the Brady Sullivan Building on Elm Street in Manchester, to raise money for United Way of Greater Nashua or one the other local nonprofits participating in the event. No experience is necessary! This is a fun event that will be VERY socially distanced!
All of the United Way of Greater Nashua staff have done it in the past and had a great time.
Sign up by Friday, July 10 to participate in this FUN-draiser! Email them at [email protected].
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Nashua Community Music School
offers Family Music Camp
at Greeley Park Bandshell
First session begins Monday, July 13
In this high energy, interactive camp, families will gather at the Greeley Park Bandshell (100 Concord Street) and get to explore the world of music through a series of games, crafts, and music making activities.
The four-day camp is led by experienced faculty who adapt each activity to meet the needs of your family. No musical experience necessary. Bring your family, a sense of adventure, and maybe even your dancing shoes to the Nashua Community Music Schoolâs Family Music Camp!
July Camp Dates:
July 13â16 (Rain date: July 17)
Session 1: 9â11 am
Session 2: noonâ2 pm
August Camp Dates:
August 10â13 (Rain date: Aug. 14)
Session 1: 9â11 am
Session 2: noonâ2 pm
For more information, contact Nashua Community Music School by email at [email protected] or by phone at (603) 881-7030. You can also click here to see their virtual summer camp opportunities.
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UNITED WAY ASKS YOU TO HELP DISTRIBUTE FOOD
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Volunteers sought to move, distribute fund
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to the Fourth of July Weekend, there will be no school lunch distribution this Friday. However, volunteers are still needed to provide these critical meals to children through the summer:
Lunch distribution on buses, Fridays 11 amâ3:30 pm
Two volunteers are needed to help distribute school lunches on Fridays until the end of August. Volunteers will meet a bus at Nashua High North and ride it to 7 stops around the city, distributing lunches at each stop. The bus will stay at each location for half an hour. MORE INFO HERE.
United Way volunteers at Salvation Army: Moving food
United Way of Greater Nashua loves lending a hand to other nonprofits. This summer, they’re helping the Salvation Army unload their trucks. move their food donations around, and help with other related projects. These are ongoing needs and both organizations are looking for volunteers to help for as long as you are available.
Need for the following projects are:
- Two volunteers every Friday from 11 amâ2 pm to help primarily with loading trucks as well as things like breaking down boxes, etc.
- Two volunteers every Thursday from 12:30â3 pm to help with restocking, unloading trucks, cleaning up, etc.
- Two volunteers daily, MondayâFriday, 9 amânoon to assist with moving food from the basement to the first floor, as well as general breaking down boxes, etc.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Nashua Police Athletic League
In 1989, Nashua PAL (Police Athletic League) was founded with the mission to create a positive attitude between the children of Nashua and the members of the Nashua Police Department through sponsored sports, activities and enrichment programs. PAL’s goals include:
- Reduce juvenile delinquent behavior through youth-focused programs
- Instill good character values and healthy habits in future community leaders.
- Spark positive connections with Nashuaâs police officers and community members.
Since its inception, PAL has grown offer a large variety of sports, education, recreational, and enrichment programs to all of Nashua’s youth, such as:
- PAL FORCE Football and Spirit programs
- Boxing
- Cross Country Running
- Street Hockey
- Afterschool/Summer programming
- Winter Cheer
… and much more!
PAL offers Nashua kids 16 programs, designed to foster leadership, and to provide education and fun activities. “Every kid deserves a PAL”
Nashua PAL is 2020 recipient of Building on Hope project
Building on Hope is a community organization of volunteers who work with builders, architects and designers to provide physical improvements to facilities associated with non-profit service groups. Over the past decade, Building on Hopeâs team of volunteers have completed more than $4.1 million in community-supported renovation projects throughout New Hampshire. This year’s recipient of their assistance is Nashua PAL’s Youth Safe Haven building at 52 Ash Street.
Building on Hope has completed the first major component of its Nashua PAL Youth Safe Haven $1 million renovation project, recently constructing an elevator shaft, one of the first major components of the full renovation of the building. While following social distancing guidelines given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Building on Hope team was able to stick with its original plan to construct the elevator shaft in April and will continue construction in phases throughout the summer.
âThe Youth Safe Haven is here for the community and one of our priorities for the renovation has been making the building accessible to all community members. The addition of an elevator will allow for more welcoming youth programming, sports programs, and community events to take place here,â said Shaun Nelson, Nashua PALâs Executive Director. âWe are looking forward to many more accessibility updates as the Building on Hope renovation continues, and are immensely grateful to the Building on Hope committee for its flexibility and determination through the current situation. This project will benefit so many youth and families in Nashua for years to come.â
The grand reveal of the newly renovated PAL Safe Haven building will be October 4.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Thank you for being a subscriber to The Downtowner!
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Great American Downtown is a Nashua based 501c3 Nonprofit Corporation that provides coordination, collaboration and partnerships that unify the entire Nashua community around a common vision for an attractive downtown that is vibrant, viable and truly reflects the character of our city. Learn all about our wide variety of programs here.
We’re happy to share information about your upcoming event in and around Downtown Nashua! If you would like to submit an event to be featured in The Downtowner, or are interested in any other sponsorship and marketing opportunities through Great American Downtown, contact our Downtown Marketing Coordinator at [email protected].
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