API Photographers Inc., a staple of the local photography and film industry, was one of 13 Memphis companies that received an economic development grant Friday, June 12, to help offset revenue losses from the pandemic.

The normally busy, 50-year-old company has been struggling to pay bills as its schedule sits almost empty. 

“We have had to put several jobs on hold as a result of the pandemic, adding up to a big loss over the last few months,” API owner, Bill Carrier, said in a release. “Without these funds coming in, my wife and I have had to use personal funds to keep things going.”

API Photographers received a $6,000 NEED Grant Friday, administered through an Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County (EDGE) committee.

The Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development (NEED) Grant was created to provide relief to small businesses, located in Memphis’ most vulnerable neighborhoods, that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

More Memphis businesses get coronavirus relief

API is one of four grant recipients alerted about the aid through EDGE’s collaboration with Linn Sitler, film commissioner at the Memphis & Shelby County Film/TV Commission. The others are Electraphonic Recording, Firefly Media LLC and Spotlight Productions.

“COVID-19 has created a real problem for all businesses - but especially for film and television production companies,” Sitler said in a release. “Filming is by necessity such a ‘high touch’ industry that our local production companies have lost a lot of business. Now that production promises to pick up, these grants will allow Memphis & Shelby County production companies, along with at least one recording studio, to continue to create and innovate in this new normal.”

The EDGE Economic Development Finance Committee awarded $73,500 Friday to companies in Memphis’ most distressed neighborhoods. They included:

• Phillip Ashley Chocolates, 1200 Madison Ave., received a $7,500 grant.
• Attitude in Hair Design, 2916 Park Ave., received a $3,000 grant.
• Master Pieces Salon, 1870 Winchester Road, received a $5,000 grant.
• 901 Strands Salon, 6880 Hillshire Drive, Suite 10, received a $5,000 grant.
• Cheryl Pesce Lifestyle Brand LLC, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 125, received a $6,000 grant.
• The Art Project, 2092 Trimble Place, received a $7,000 grant.
• 901 Games LLC, 2491 Broad Ave., received a $5,000 grant.
• The Memphis Guitar Spa, 2561 Broad Ave., received a $6,000 grant.
• Merchants on Broad, 2577 Broad Ave., received a $4,000 grant.
• Major Pieces Boutique, 5693 Mount Moriah Road, received a $7,000 grant.
• Hot Wings Express II LLC, 3303 Winchester Road, received a $7,000 grant.
• The Wax Bar Memphis, 80 Tillman, Suite 110, received a $5,000 grant.
• API Photographers Inc., 3111 Stonebrook Circle, received a $6,000 grant.

To date, the committee has awarded $377,500 to 67 businesses through the NEED grant program; 53, or 79% of those are minority and women-owned businesses. 

Eligible businesses can apply and find more information at NEEDGrant.org.