DHCR Announces Grants to Help Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

ALBANY, NY (04/07/2010)(readMedia)-- The NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal today announced funding for three more NYS CDBG Microenterprise Programs, designed to assist local governments that want to help small businesses gain access to capital and provide economic opportunities.

Acting Commissioner of DHCR Brian Lawlor, said, "Small businesses are the backbone of economic development and community revitalization. These grants will help establish new small businesses and also help existing businesses to grow and create new jobs."

The grants, funded through the NYS Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) Small Business program, were awarded to Greene County, the Town of Schuyler in Herkimer County and the Village of Mount Morris in Livingston County.

• Greene County will use the funds for its successful Microenterprise Assistance Program, which will provide grants of up to $25,000 to seven micro businesses for working capital, inventory or equipment needs. Applicants will be required to participate in an entrepreneurial assistance and business training program administered by Greene County. Funding will be used to support new start-ups as well as existing micro-businesses, which often have difficulty accessing capital through traditional lending channels

• The Village of Mount Morris will use the funds to establish a Microenterprise Program that will give priority to businesses located in or around the Village's commercial core, and also to businesses that provide essential services to Village residents. The grant is expected to assist at least six local micro businesses, at least four of which will be owned and operated by a person from a low to moderate income family. The Village will work with each applicant to determine specific training needs, and will work with the Alliance for Business Growth and SUNY Alfred to deliver training to business owners.

• The Town of Schuyler will use the funding to re-capitalize its highly successful Farm Assistance Program, which assists low and moderate income farmers replace aged equipment, improve and repair barns and silos, drill wells and other business improvement projects. The Town will work with the Herkimer County Office of the Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide training and technical assistance to participants. Funds will also be used to develop a 'Farmers' Handbook' that will provide information on farm operations and practices, government regulations and record keeping.

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