County of Berks and Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute present $145,000 to local businesses

Catapallo VR CEO Kryn McClain accepts check from the O'Pake Institute and Berks County Commissioners. From left: Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr., Dr. Rodney S. Ridley, Commissioner Michael S. Rivera, Kryn McClain, John Stetler, Mickeel Allen, Jack Short, Lizette Epps and Anthony Florkowski.

36 non-profit and for-profit organizations in Berks County receive funding

Alvernia University's O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and the County of Berks presented the final round of Financial Lending & Innovation Collaborative(FLIC) funding to six Berks County businesses on Friday. Over the last two years, $145,000 was distributed to 36 for-profit and non-profit organizations in Berks County through FLIC as a part of the IMAGINE Berksinitiative.

"We are thrilled to see the positive impact that FLIC and the IMAGINE Berks initiative have had on local businesses in Greater Reading and Berks County," said Alvernia University Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives, Rodney S. Ridley, Sr., Ph.D., RTTP. "It is because of partnerships like this that we can uphold our collective commitment to fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and driving economic growth in our community. The Alvernia community and the O'Pake Institute's network is beyond grateful for Pamela Shupp-Menet and the Berks County Commissioners' continued dedication to the economic development of Berks County, the Reading CollegeTowne initiative and to the O'Pake Institute's mission," said Ridley.

This project is funded in part through a grantfrom the County of Berks including Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach, Chair; Commissioner Michael S. Rivera, Vice Chair; and Commissioner Dante Santoni. The allocation of County and non-County funds has empowered local businesses and non-profits alike by supporting their needs in the critical areas of research and development, equipment, professional services, and lease of space. This partnership has also impacted various industries, including mental health support, automotive racing, personal health and fitness, the service industry, and lifestyle businesses such as apparel, custom woodworking, and community services.

"The County of Berks strongly supports this initiative as it aligns with our commitment to nurturing small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship, which in turn drives the creation of high-growth ventures, enhances main street amenities, and fosters wealth-building opportunities for our residents," said Berks County Commissioner Vice Chair, Micheal S. Rivera. "Partnering with Alvernia University's O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship is invaluable in helping our entrepreneurs create jobs, attract local investment, and strengthen our economy, ensuring that our county continues to be a vibrant center for business development."

At Friday's event, funding was allocated to six businesses. Queens Café, owned by Sabrena Elmarzouky, received funding for equipment to enhance their offerings and customer experience. Infinity Body Sculpting, owned by Sabrina Tidmore, will utilize the grant to acquire specialized equipment, further boosting its service capabilities and clientele. Annie & Joe's Safe Haven, owned by Chavonna Cooper, received funding for professional services. Paradise Island Smoothie Café, owned by Amarjit K. Mann, received funds for equipment. Rowlands Performance, owned by Stayce and James Rowlands, received funding for equipment. Catapallo VR, owned by Dr. Kryn McClain, received funding to cover professional services, significantly boosting their market presence and operational effectiveness.

"We are thrilled to receive a $5,000 grant from the FLIC funding initiative, which will be instrumental in enhancing the e-commerce capabilities of our website. This improvement will not only optimize the customer experience but also enhance our operational efficiency, making our innovative solutions more accessible to a broader audience," said McClain. "Working with the O'Pake Institute team has been an extraordinary experience. The students are responsible, open to feedback, and incredibly professional in the services they offer. Their dedication and expertise have been pivotal in reaching this milestone."

The O'Pake Institute team, including Alvernia students in the O'Pake Fellows Program, supported the businesses throughout the entire microgrant process through the SPARK Business Incubatorby preparing all necessary documentation, applications, and business plans to qualify for FLIC funding. The team offered one-on-one consultations, helping each business identify its unique needs to align them with the grant requirements and ensure that every recipient was prepared to utilize the funds effectively.

"This support has empowered our businesses to innovate, expand their reach, and boost their revenue swiftly," said O'Pake Institute Executive Director of Financial Services, John Stetler, MBA. "By investing in small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our communities, we provide crucial education, tools, and funding to foster growth and job creation."

About FLIC

The FLIC microgrant program was established in 2022.Early-stage and established businesses enter The O'Pake Insitute's Spark business incubator client services intake process as funding candidates to receive a feasibility analysis and needs assessment to determine funding eligibility. Funds are provided by participating financial institutions, foundations and private donors, including Community First Fund, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Kutztown SBDC, Visions Federal Credit Union, Riverfront Federal Credit Union, Barrio Alegria and Alvernia University's (AU) O'Pake Institute, where AU funding is courtesy of The PA 30-Day Fund, Schlouch Inc., and Allan Myers, Inc. A representative from each organization comprises the founding membership of FLIC.

Once a business is funded, services through the SPARK Business Incubator become available. Services include but are not limited to business planning, technology transfer, social media marketing, branding, and website development. Funded businesses are also required to match funding dollars or goods and services to the community. Alvernia students in the O'Pake Fellows Program gain experiential learning through FLIC and their participation in the O'Pake Finance Committee. The committee works with FLIC to produce financial statements, foster financial literacy, and develop business plans for entrepreneurs while preparing them to become clients at The Spark business incubator to gain extended entrepreneurial resources.

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