FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2023
Contact: Andrew Santillo, asantillo@co.montgomery.ny.us, (518) 853-8334
MONTGOMERY COUNTY SOLICITING PRE-APPLICATION REQUESTS FOR MICROENTERPRISE GRANT PROGRAM
Grants Range Between $5,000 and $35,000 per Applicant
(FONDA, NY) – Small businesses looking to grow their operations in Montgomery County could soon see a boost through the Microenterprise Grant Program.
Open to businesses with five or fewer employees, the Montgomery County Business Development Center (MCBDC) is preparing to make a new application to the state program, which will support local entrepreneurs and small businesses. Since 2018 Montgomery County has assisted over 30 businesses in securing more than $700,000 in grant funding through the program, creating a number of jobs across the community.
“Montgomery County has worked hard to be known as a place that’s supportive of our small businesses. Growing jobs and creating opportunities starts with a dream and, of course, the right entrepreneurial spirit. The Microenterprise Grant Program provides resources that can truly make a difference for a small business and that impact has a ripple effect,” said MCBDC CEO Ken Rose, whose office works with program applicants and administers the grant funding.
“We strongly encourage small businesses across the county to contact our office and start the pre-application process,” Rose said.
Businesses previously funded through the Microenterprise Grant Program include Merv’s Auto Repair and Honorone Farm, which each received a grant of $35,000 during the most recent round of funding.
Merv’s Auto Repair in Amsterdam used funding from the Microenterprise Grant program to upgrade the shop’s equipment and create a new job. Business owner Mervin Rodriguez said, “I’m so appreciative of what the County did for me. The Microenterprise grant gave me the funds to make needed improvements to my shop on the East End. What started out as a small dream has turned into a decade of success. I knew if I put money into the building it would get bigger from there, and the grant funding played a pivotal role.”
Under the terms of the program, grant allocations may not exceed 90 percent of the total project cost to assist in the start-up or expansion of a microenterprise. A minimum amount of 10 percent owner equity contribution to the project is also required.
Pre-applications for the Microenterprise Grant Program are being accepted on a rolling basis from small businesses across the county, including those within the City of Amsterdam. The Business Development Center anticipates applying to the state for funding in May. If successful, funding could be available later this year.
For the pre-screening application and more information, call the MCBDC office at (518) 853-8334.
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ABOUT MCBDC
Montgomery County Business Development Center (MCBDC) provides professional economic development assistance to businesses interested in expanding or relocating to Montgomery County. It offers real estate solutions, financial assistance and incentives, as well as business development and technical assistance. MCBDC acts as the county’s Department of Economic Development, & Planning, the Industrial Development Agency, and Capital Resource Corporation. To learn more visit www.MontgomeryCountyWorks.org.