Town of Union announces $1.5M in grant programs for businesses and commercial-property owners

UNION, N.Y. — A new slate of federally funded grant programs will award $1.5 million in the town of Union to help businesses and commercial-property owners improve and grow.

“We’re excited to offer $1.5 million in grant funding to town of Union businesses,” Joseph Moody, Town of Union economic development director, said in a news release. “I look forward to meeting with all eligible applicants to help them best address and match their needs with one of the five grant programs.”

The Town of Union Local Development Corporation’s 2021 American Rescue Plan Act Grant Program includes the villages of Endicott and Johnson City and the hamlets of Endwell, Choconut Center, Union Center, West Corners, Westover, and West Endicott.

Startups, established businesses, and commercial-property owners can apply for one of five types of grants: the kick-start entrepreneurial, small business sustainability, project-specific infrastructure improvement, “Reimagine Union” demolition and site prep, and 50/50 commercial façade.

The kick-start grants of up to $10,000 are open to startups and cannot exceed 75 percent of eligible projects. Funds can be used for furniture, fixtures, equipment, inventory, supplies, and working capital.

The small business sustainability funding is open to existing businesses with less than 100 employees. Grants of up to $25,000 cannot exceed 90 percent of eligible projects. Applicants must have been in business on or before March 1, 2020, have remained open, and show a demonstrated need. Funds may be used for COVID-19 recovery efforts and other uses the town’s Local Development Corporation deems acceptable.

Project-specific infrastructure grants of up to $100,000 cannot exceed 40 percent of eligible projects. Entities in COVID-19 state and federal declared-disaster areas are eligible for the funding, which can be used for building acquisition or improvements, acquisition of machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures to promote employee health and safety or address manmade or natural disasters.

Reimagine Union demolition grants are open to businesses in the disaster area for projects including demolition and site preparation to remove slums and blighted areas. Grants, up to a maximum of $200,000, cannot exceed 75 percent of project costs.

Grants of up to $50,000 under the 50/50 façade program are available to commercial-property owners within the disaster area to make exterior renovations. The grants will cover 50 percent of the cost of renovations.

Businesses must meet with the town’s economic-development director, Moody, before applying. He can be reached at (607) 786-2945 or jmoody@townofunion.com.

More detailed information about the grants is available online at www.townofunion.com/departments/economic-development.html.