GOSHEN COUNTY – Goshen Economic Development (GED) recently awarded The Old Moose Mercantile and the LaGrange Fire Department with grant funds from its Progress Program.
According to a document entitled “Progress Program Overview,” “The goal of Goshen Economic Development’s Progress Program is to reinvest one-quarter cent sales tax funds back in Goshen County businesses and municipalities.”
GED Business Development Director Brayden Connour told The Telegram the quarter-cent sales tax in Goshen County has resulted in approximately $1.2 million returning to Goshen County businesses and municipalities.
Goshen County voters vote on the quarter-cent tax every four years, with the last vote taking place in 2018. The tax is applied to the purchases of qualifying goods and services in Goshen County. The entirety of the quarter-cent tax goes directly to Goshen Economic Development.
The money collected from the tax is then used to fund programs like the Progress Program. Funds available through the Progress Program are available quarterly and must be applied for by visiting goshenwyo.com/progress-program.
Connour explained there are several areas in which businesses and municipalities can apply for assistance. These categories are Community Improvements, Capital Improvements, Façade and Signage, Equipment Upgrade, E-Commerce Accelerator and Workforce Training.
“We want it to go towards economic development, whether it’s growing your business or enhancing your business,” Connour said.
GED awarded The Old Moose Mercantile in Torrington with $10,000 through the Façade and Signage category of the Progress Program.
The Old Moose Mercantile owner Taryn Kilty told The Telegram she had applied for the grant back in January to help pay to buy new windows for her business.
The Old Moose Mercantile opened its doors on Nov. 12 and is a retail sales space where “you come to find hidden gems” or the “thing that speaks to you.”
The town of LaGrange received a grant for $20,000 under Community Improvements from the Progress Program to aid in purchasing a fire truck.
The town contributed $30,000 to the program to purchase the truck. The remainder of the truck’s purchase was paid with $20,000 from the Progress Program, $50,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and $300,000 from the State Loan and Investments Board (SLIB) Mineral Royalties.
