Two Happy Valley-based businesses were recently awarded grant funding by Bellefonte SpringBoard, an initiative by Downtown Bellefonte Inc., to support business growth in the region.
Bellefonte-based businesses Kelly Scott Voice Studio and Poppy Designs were awarded $2,500 each to execute ideas outlined in the business owners’ grant applications. The businesses were celebrated in June with a grant award ceremony at SpringBoard, a coworking and community facility managed by the non-profit organization.
“As part of our mission to support local business and help create a vibrant and diverse business community in Bellefonte, DBI is honored to support Kelly Scott Voice Studios and Poppy Designs with a $2,500 Springboard grant,” said Michael Scott, President of the Board of Directors for DBI. “It’s our organization’s hope that the grant dollars allow them to grow their businesses and continue to support entrepreneurship in the region.”
“As part of our mission to support local business and help create a vibrant and diverse business community in Bellefonte, DBI is honored to support Kelly Scott Voice Studios and Poppy Designs with a $2,500 Springboard grant,”
– Michael Scott, President of the Board of Directors for DBI
This is the 4th round of grant funding that has been made possible by support from the Centre County commissioners as well as SpringBoard sponsor Arize Federal Credit Union. In addition to the monetary support, both grant recipients receive full membership to SpringBoard including access to workshops and facility resources.
“I am thrilled to be purchasing a high-quality computer specifically for design work,” said Karly Scala, owner of Poppy Designs. “I’ll also be investing in industry-standard design software. These are crucial tools for my graphic design and marketing business, and they’ll help me create even better work for my clients.”
Scala said that she’s excited to be able to utilize SpringBoard for private meeting space, as well as to attend workshops held for entrepreneurs there.
“When I first came across the grant opportunity, I was really excited to see my local community supporting entrepreneurs like me,” Scala said. “For me, it was less about the money and more about the connections and awareness I would gain for my business.”
Kelly Scott, of Kelly Scott Voice Studios — who applied for the grant for established businesses — said that the SpringBoard grant will serve as a stepping stone in building her business even more.
“This is my second year applying for the Springboard grant; last year as a new business and this year as an established business,” said Kelly Scott, of Kelly Scott Voice Studios. “Over the past year alone my studio has grown rapidly, which made me realize how many performers in our area of all ages are seeking professional level vocal music training. With my goal to reach and teach as many performers as possible, I recently opened a larger studio space to allow for group classes and workshops for the members of our community. The Springboard grant was the perfect stepping stone to be able to offer these classes and provide the funds needed for the equipment for the new space.”
Both grant recipients said that they’re looking forward to the sense of community and belonging that utilizing SpringBoard, and being a visible part of the Bellefonte business community, will offer them.
“Springboard is a community that is full of business owners and business supporters who are walking the walk,” Scott said. “They are dedicated members of our community who are eager to see our community thrive, and see other local businesses do the same.”
Now in its 7th year in the downtown, SpringBoard has worked to support creative and remote entrepreneurs as well as brick and mortar businesses as one of the main initiatives of Downtown Bellefonte Inc., a non-profit organization accredited by the National Main Street America Center.
“I’m inspired by how many awesome local small businesses we have in Bellefonte,” Scala said. “It’s a community full of entrepreneurs who support and encourage each other. I feel lucky to live in an area with such a collaborative and supportive vibe.”
