AMHERST — Downtown businesses that continue to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to benefit from a consultant hired through a state grant.
The town and Amherst Business Improvement District recently partnered to obtain a $60,000 Local Rapid Recovery Program grant from the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative that will be used to hire CivicMoxie LLC, a women-owned planning and urban design company based in Brookline and Woodstock, Vermont.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the funding comes through the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development.
“We are pleased to partner with our business community, and specifically, the BID, to strategize on ways to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with a vital and robust business environment,” Bockelman said.
BID Executive Director Gabrielle Gould said in a statement that the business community will be sharing ideas with CivicMoxie for how to make a short-term recovery from the pandemic and outline projects that will enhance commercial activity in the longer term.
“They are an innovative on-the-ground consulting firm whose focus on vibrancy, arts, culture and the business community to engage and invigorate downtown areas is remarkable,” Gould said.
CivicMoxie’s projects have included “Waterfront Bridgeport” in Connecticut, “Envision Concord” in Massachusetts and “Creative Portland” in Maine.
This ongoing consulting work begins about a month before outdoor dining areas are restored in downtown Amherst and Jersey barriers are reinstalled along the streets to provide protected places for people to eat.
Gould said the BID is already working on setting up these spaces that were used last summer and fall.
