Indian Orchard program aims to boost small restaurant growth

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - The Latino Economic Development Corporation was joined by local lawmakers on Wednesday to announce the launch of an initiative designed to boost small restaurant growth and neighborhood revitalization in the community.

The Indian Orchard restaurant district pilot program will support three new food establishments by offering the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and security deposits to launch their store fronts. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 are also available for current restaurant owners looking to upgrade, market, or expand their operations.

State Representative Orlando Ramos told us how the new program will boost business and hopefully draw more economic development to our area. ”It’s the perfect location, you know. Indian Orchard kinda connects the city of Springfield to Chicopee, to Ludlow, to Wilbraham, and we have thousands of cars that are commuting through up and down Main Street every single day.
We want to give them a reason to stop and that’s why we’re here to create the dining district, so we can have families stopping here in Indian Orchard at 5 o’clock to have dinner and we’re going to have multiple restaurants here in the dining district,” he explained.

All new and existing restaurants taking part in this program will also receive free business coaching and accounting services thanks to the Latino Economic Development Corporation’s technical assistance team.