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New York State offering $800 million in grants to small businesses impacted by COVID-19

Small business
Posted at 2:53 PM, Jun 10, 2021
and last updated 2021-06-10 14:53:18-04

NEW YORK (WKBW) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state is offering $800 million in COVID-19 pandemic small business recovery grants.

The state is offering up to $50,000 to businesses who faced COVID-19 related hardships between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021.

The governor's office says the grants will be awarded to small and micro businesses and small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations, with priority being given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, including minority- and women-owned business enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and veteran-owned businesses, and businesses located in economically distressed communities.

"Small businesses are one of the most critical components of New York's economy and were disproportionately impacted by the economic devastation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic," Governor Cuomo said. "As we build New York back better than it was before, this program will help these small businesses -particularly those with socially or economically disadvantaged owners -regain an economic foothold so they can forge ahead toward a brighter, more prosperous future."

The state says more than 330,000 businesses are eligible.

The governor's office says the grants will need to help these expenses

  • Payroll costs
  • Commercial rent or mortgage payments for NYS-based property
  • Payment of local property or school taxes
  • Insurance costs
  • Utility costs
  • Costs of personal protection equipment necessary to protect worker and consumer health and safety
  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning cos
  • Other machinery or equipment costs
  • Supplies and materials necessary for compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols

You can apply by clicking here.