LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Two Lewis County businesses will use grants totaling $60,000 that were awarded through the Launch Lewis County program. Naturally Lewis awarded the funding on behalf of the Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC). Rags & Rivers, of Lyons Falls, will use its $30,000 grant for machinery to expand its services, increase efficiency, and […]
LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Two Lewis County businesses will use grants totaling $60,000 that were awarded through the Launch Lewis County program.
Naturally Lewis awarded the funding on behalf of the Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC).
Rags & Rivers, of Lyons Falls, will use its $30,000 grant for machinery to expand its services, increase efficiency, and support community needs more effectively.
New Life Construction, of Port Leyden, was also awarded $30,000 for equipment and machinery to increase capacity and efficiency.
Based on state requirements, Launch Lewis County is a microenterprise grant program for low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs or for those creating a new, full-time position, per the March 24 announcement.
Launch Lewis County is a partnership between the LCDC and Lewis County. It is made possible through a grant from the community development block grant program of New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
“As we are working to develop an entrepreneur-led economy, programs like Launch Lewis County are driving us forward,” Brittany Davis, executive director of Naturally Lewis, said in the announcement. “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.”
Rags & Rivers and New Life Construction now join Hartley’s Meat Market and Coffee & Clay Café, both of Port Leyden, as local companies awarded 2025 Launch Lewis County funding.
Qualifying
In order to qualify for the Launch Lewis County microenterprise grant program, interested companies must have a small-business idea or a desire to innovate their existing small business.
They must also be considered low-to-moderate income based on 2023 income-tax returns or create a new full-time job that will be made available to low-to-moderate income persons.
In addition, applicants must also contribute at least 10 percent of total project costs and must complete their project by December of this year.
Naturally Lewis says it’s currently seeking additional applicants for the Launch Lewis County grant program with $145,000 in funding remaining available.
For more information on the program and application process, those interested can visit:
https://naturallylewis.com/support/funding-opportunities
