Dozens gathered at Bushwick in Warren to celebrate the success of the revolving loan program, under Valley Partners.

Approximately $2 million dollars in American Rescue Plan funds went to small business owners, giving them a head start on expanding their businesses or getting them off the ground.

"Through these small businesses we've created or retained 61 jobs here in the city of Warren," Teresa Miller, executive director of Valley Partners said. "We did two more loans this year in the loan fund as well, so as people pay back we'll have more money available to be able to help more small businesses," she said.

A total of 17 businesses have benefitted from the program so far, adding a nice boost to economic development in the area.

"Oh, it's a shot in the arm," Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said. "Anytime you can inject this type of energy into small startups, it does a lot in terms of just building a foundation for the future," he said.

Franklin adds, the only thanks he needs is to continue hearing success stories of Warren businesses.

Each business received uniquely what it needed, some hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Business owners credit the city and Valley Partners for having a hand in their success.

"They gave me the opportunity to not only start the business but keep it operating too with the funds that they were able to provide me with. Without them, I don't think that I would've been able to get the building in the first place," Jacquelynn Brown, owner and operator of Doughlicious Bakery said.

"With the funding that they helped me get I was able to expand into the Warren area, I've been able to reach more people in the area," Gloris Griffin, owner and operator of Gloris Griffin Counseling Services said. "We work with women and children, we work with all populations and we've been able to build better relationships and we've been able to hire people into our staff," she said.

Miller said this success was a team effort and Valley Partner's hope for the future is to continue to educate those in the community who wish to open a small business.