Feb 25, 2009

Gastonia pitches incentive for new businesses to open downtownBy Michael BarrettGastonGazette.com

Susan Anthony said she has long considered relocating her popular gift shop to downtown Gastonia. But in this day and age, she can’t do it on her own.

“Small businesses can’t afford these enormous spaces with enormous prices,” said Anthony, owner of Susan C. Anthony Gifts and Accessories, which was previously on Union Road.

The reason Anthony will soon be able to open her showroom at 170 South Street is that the city of Gastonia will likely subsidize her rent for the first year. Anthony plans to apply for the incentive, which the Gastonia City Council put into action this month.

Anthony’s lease for the 2,000-square-foot, floor-level space across from City Hall is contingent upon her receiving the incentive. She appears to be an “ideal” candidate for the aid, since she wouldn’t be opening there otherwise, she said.

“With these incentives … I can afford to get into a space and grow into it,” she said. “Otherwise, a small business like mine couldn’t possibly do it.”

IDEAL is exactly what City Council members had in mind with the Investment in Downtown Economic Assistance and Livability program. It aims to offer short-term, start-up financial assistance in the form of partial reimbursement of lease and/or up-fit expenses.

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