LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Nine microenterprise businesses have secured funding totaling $180,000 in the Launch Lewis County grant program. The grants include two $30,000 awards, five $20,000 grants, and two $10,000 awards, Naturally Lewis said. Launch Lewis County is a business competition grant program that the Lewis County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) administers on behalf of […]
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LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Nine microenterprise businesses have secured funding totaling $180,000 in the Launch Lewis County grant program.
The grants include two $30,000 awards, five $20,000 grants, and two $10,000 awards, Naturally Lewis said.
Launch Lewis County is a business competition grant program that the Lewis County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) administers on behalf of Lewis County to helps businesses start or expand.
Naturally Lewis, based in Lowville, is the economic-development agency for Lewis County. It includes the IDA and the Lewis County Development Corporation.
Funding for the Launch Lewis County program is provided by the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal, Community Development Block Grant program, per a Naturally Lewis news release.
“Small businesses and entrepreneurs often have a difficult time accessing capital in small amounts to purchase the equipment they need,” Brittany Davis, executive director of the Lewis County IDA, said. “Our partnership with Lewis County to administer the Launch Lewis County program has allowed small businesses and entrepreneurs to start and expand products and services, which in turn creates and retains jobs, creates unique experiences for residents and tourists, and ultimately enhances the tax base of Lewis County.”
The Launch Lewis County grant committee was able to allocate all of the $180,000 in funding and increase funding for some of the grants.
The recipients of grants are the following microenterprises:
- Sterling Valley Maple, LLC of Croghan — $30,000
- The Tack Shack in Glenfield — $30,000
- Munch of Lowville — $20,000
- Simmons Tree Farm in Copenhagen — $20,000
- Turin Highland Lodge of Turin — $20,000
- Vanilla Bean Bake Shop in Lowville — $20,000
- World’s Famous Osceola Hotel of Osceola — $20,000
- Cogumelo Mushrooms of Natural Bridge — $10,000
- Grassroot Meats in Lowville — $10,000
Local interest, qualifying
A total of 21 businesses expressed interest in the Launch Lewis County program when it started back in March. All 21 businesses completed a mandatory entrepreneurial training course hosted by the local Small Business Development Center.
Twelve businesses submitted final applications for Launch Lewis County funding. After review by the Launch Lewis County grant committee and final approval by the Lewis County IDA board, nine applications were determined to have met all local and New York State Community Development Block Grant requirements that qualified each project for funding.
In order to qualify for the Launch Lewis County microenterprise grant program in the future, applicants must be startup businesses or existing businesses with plans to expand or diversify products or services.
They must also be a for-profit microenterprise (five or fewer employees); “must enhance experiences” for tourists and locals, alike; and must only use grant funds for equipment, machinery, furniture, fixtures and inventory.
In addition, applicants/owners must be considered low to moderate income based on the 2021 New York State Income Guidelines or create a job to be made available to low to moderate-income individuals to qualify for grant.
Applicants also need to understand that grant funds can only cover up to 90 percent of total project cost, Naturally Lewis noted.
Besides the funding, grant recipients also gain access to ongoing technical assistance through Naturally Lewis’s DBA Lewis County program, a professional photoshoot, a logo and branding package, and grand opening or expansion promotion.
Recipients will also have access to a low-interest loan fund, if they qualify, Naturally Lewis said.