Musician and Music Teacher Nate gross was one of many downtown businesses to receive funds from the Norwich BID Relief Fund (Photo from Nate Gross Music)

NORWICH – On Friday, The Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) visited eight Norwich businesses to present them with funds from the Downtown Norwich Relief Fund.

According to the Norwich BID, the fund was created to provide assistance to local businesses and organizations that are within the boundaries of the BID that are most affected by disruptions resulting from COVID-19.

Contacted Monday, Norwich BID Board Administrator Ann Coe, declined to discuss the program.

Those receiving grants include the Chenango Arts Council, Nate Gross Music, Deja Brew, A Little Herbal Shoppe LLC, Nina's Pizzeria and Restaurant, McLaughlin's, Chenango Union Printing Inc. and The Place.

The organization thanked the following sponsors for their contribution to the fund: NBT Bank, Mirabito Holdings Inc., Visions Federal Credit Union, Greater Norwich Foundation, Unison, Chenango Foundation, Hearth Financial Partners, Rick Mirabito, Chenango Valley Electric, and Sidney Federal Credit Union. The organization also raised $700 on their GoFundMe page.

Professional musician and music teacher Nate Gross said the money will allow him to stay connected with his fan base and the community by updating his streaming services.

“As all my lessons and shows were cancelled, I needed to update my recording capabilities and streaming services. Updating these would allow me to reach my audience and students online with high quality A/V experiences,” said Gross. “New software and various hardware components will be purchased to help record and stream live shows in a much more professional presentation. It’s uncertain how long concerts will continued to be cancelled. With this money, it will help me stay connected with the community near and far via internet.”

Gross discussed how musicians have been effected by the pandemic, and explained how performances provide a source of income, but they allow the musician to share their art.

“The arts have been hit hard. It doesn’t matter if you're Gallery 321, Boynton Pro audio, or a self-employed musician, everything came to a sudden stop. And it’s not coming back like many other industries. The hardest hit aspect for me was the cancellation of my entire summer tour. I was booked all over the country promoting a new album. Not only does performing make me a living, but it also gives a musician purpose. It’s why we write, record and rehearse. It’s important now more than ever to connect with your fans and community online. Music will never stop. It will always change and we need to embrace whatever the new delivery may be. Musicians and artists are resilient creatures. It’s not what we do, it’s who we are.”

Gross teaches in his studio in The Council of the Arts building on West Main Street in Norwich. He has been teaching and performing full time for almost 15 years. His students range from 6 to 75 years of age and instruments include guitar, bass drums and more. You can find his music on various social media platforms such as Spotify, Youtube, Facebook, and his website musicbynategross.com.

The grant has also allowed small businesses, such as A Little Herbal Shoppe LLC, to stay open when bills started to pile up.

"When we applied for the grant, we had been closed for approximately a month. Bills were starting to pile up and we knew we couldn’t go without paying them and the rent. The application process was simple and straightforward which helped at such a stressful time," said co-owner Patience DeMun.

DeMun said they will be using the grant money to pay all the bills that have been accumulating so that they continue to stay open.

"BID and the people who donated are so appreciated. What they did was amazing and we are so grateful." said DeMun.

A little Herbal Shoppe LLC is owned by Priscilla Blydenburgh and her daughter Patience Demun. The shop is located at 24 South Broad Street in Norwich. The shop specializes in herbal products for the mind and body such as salves for bug bites and pain, essential oils, candles, and a variety of herbs. Almost everything is handmade by Blydenburgh. The shop also offer handcrafted jewelry that DeMun designs.