“Priority will be given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, including, but not limited to, minority and women – owned business enterprises”
The New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program (the “Program”) was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in New York State who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 800 million dollars have been allocated for this initiative. Turnaround time is approximately Two weeks.
Where to go for assistance: CenterState CEO, Mr. Calvin Corriders, Manager of Neighborhood-Economic Development, 315.470.1800 and South Side Innovation Center Mr. El-Java Abdul-Qadir, MSW 315.443.8466 both are available to help answer any questions about the program. Additional information is available online at www.smallbusinessrecovery.com
The Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant is in response to previous programs sponsored by New York State and the Federal Government that failed to reach many minority, woman and small business owners. Therefore, in this grant program, “priority will be given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, including, but not limited to, minority and women – owned business enterprises (NYS certification not required), service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses, or businesses located in communities that were economically distressed prior to March 1, 2020…”
Eligible Small Business Qualifications
Small businesses, Micro-businesses and For -profit independent arts and cultural organizations (collectively, “Eligible Applicants”) must be currently viable and have begun operation on or before March 1, 2019 and continue to be in operation as of the date of application (may be shuttered due to COVID -19 restrictions).
- “Viability” to be determined based on whether the applicant has positive net profit in 2019, as evidenced by reported net profit on the applicant’s 2019 federal tax return.
- Eligible Applicants will be required to show loss of gross receipts as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic or compliance with COVID -19 health and safety protocols which resulted in business modifications, interruptions, or closures.
- Application window opened June 12 funding is limited to 800 million (for this round there may be a second when these funds are depleted.)
Ineligible Businesses
- All Non-Profits, Churches and other religious institutions;
- Government-owned entities or elected official offices;
- Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities;
- Businesses that received awards from the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Grant Program;
- Landlords and passive real estate income businesses;
- Illegal businesses and enterprises; and
- Other industry or business types as specified by ESD
Additional Information
- Eligible Applicants must provide evidence, acceptable to New York State that the Eligible Applicant is operational and that the Eligible Applicant is not restricted by any state, local or other agency mandate.
- Due to a limited amount of funding and the high volume of requests expected, business type, geography, and industry may factor into the ability to receive a grant.
- Priority will be given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, including, but not limited to, minority and women – owned business enterprises (NYS certification not required), service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses, or businesses located in communities that were economically distressed prior to March 1, 2020, as determined by the most recent census data.
