WARREN — City officials, small business owners, Valley Partners representatives and residents gathered Monday at Bushwick, at the intersection of South Street and Vine Avenue near downtown for the “Thank You, Warren: Partnering for Impact!” event.

Hosted by Valley Partners, a nonprofit with a focus on growing small businesses, the celebration highlighted the city’s support and the collective achievements of their partnership.

The two-hour event highlighted the measurable impact of Valley Partners’ collaboration with the City of Warren, particularly through the distribution of $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds allocated in late 2023. These funds, administered as a revolving loan fund, supported 15 small businesses in the tri-county area, creating or retaining 61 jobs, according to Teresa Miller, Executive Director of Valley Partners.

“Valley Partners is a mission-driven lender,” Miller said. “We step in where traditional banks can’t, helping businesses that might not qualify for conventional loans due to credit issues or collateral shortfalls.”

She talked about the organization’s role in providing not only financial support but also free technical assistance and educational resources to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.

Among the success stories is Bushwick, a local bar and restaurant owned and operated by Jerry Dietl. Five years ago, Dietl said the business partnered with Valley Partners to transform a family-owned, vacant building into a thriving business.

“They helped us build this entire bar, then a kitchen when our food truck couldn’t keep up, and later supported some additional improvements,” Dietl said. “It’s been a labor of love, and it’s brought a lot of life to this town.”

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin praised the partnership, talking about its efficiency in equitably distributing ARP funds.

“Valley Partners gave us a merit-based platform to get these dollars out without politicizing the process,” Franklin said. “Businesses like Bushwick, which used the funds for a stage, facade improvements, and an outdoor patio, are perfect examples of how this program helps small companies flourish and create jobs.”

The event also served as a forward-looking celebration, with Valley Partners outlining plans to continue fueling economic growth in the region.

Miller highlighted the revolving loan fund’s sustainability, noting that repayments from initial loans have already enabled two additional businesses to receive funding in 2025, including We Fix It, a home repair company that received $30,600.

Attendees, including local officials and business owners, expressed optimism about Warren’s ongoing revitalization, referred to as the “Warren Renaissance.”

“There isn’t a town without business,” Dietl said. “Valley Partners helping small businesses pop up adds a lot of vitality to our community.”

“This is about gratitude to the City of Warren for having faith in us,” Miller said, “and about showing other small businesses what’s possible when we work together.”