When it’s the season of giving, it’s never really too late to give.
Pima County has just gifted the Fourth Avenue Foundation a Christmas miracle, which is in the form of a $455,000 “Back to Business Grant.”
The year didn’t start out too great for Fourth Avenue, being that the Spring Street Fair was canceled right off the bat, and then the rain continued to pour, so to speak, when the Winter Street Fair got nipped in the bud.
The cancellations led to less foot traffic around the many retail stores, restaurants, and bars — forcing a lot of businesses, on and off of Fourth Avenue, to get creative with marketing and community outreach.
However, this new grant was meant to provide support for the recovery efforts happening in the Historic Fourth Avenue Business District.
“It took a herculean effort to complete all the grant goals and CARES Act requirements in what was a very short six-week time period,” said Daniel Matlick, President of the Fourth Avenue Foundation.
A good chunk of the small businesses in the area have been hanging on by a thread, so the first step in the planned “recovery process” will help provide rent, electricity, and internet expense reimbursements.
In addition, other programs will be used to “offer updated Coronavirus department of health communications and enhance the outdoor environment to support a safe and healthy return back to business.”
To learn more about all of the local businesses found along Fourth Avenue, visit fourthavenue.org.
Most of our 4th Avenue businesses are owned by people living in our community. When you shop 4th Avenue businesses this…
Posted by Historic Fourth Avenue on Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
