APPLICATION PERIOD ENDED

Background & Purpose:

The Cayuga County Small Business Assistance Grant was created to financially assist small businesses within the County that suffered negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The County was awarded funds through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“CSLFRF”) and the American Rescue Plan Act.  On April 26, 2022 the Cayuga County Legislature approved a resolution to allocate $500,000 for a term-limited small business grant program.

The goal of the County Grant Program is to assist the maximum number of small businesses in Cayuga County within the resources provided by the County Legislature. It is the intent of the Cayuga County Legislature to distribute the funds to small businesses in an objective, equitable and accountable manner on behalf of the citizens of Cayuga County.

Grant Amounts:

The maximum grant amount per small business is $10,000.  The total amount of funds available in the program is $500,000.

In an effort to distribute these funds widely and equitably, the County will likely award less than the maximum amount.

Eligibility*:
*Read the Program Guidelines for a full list of eligibility criteria.

• Business was established and operating on or before December 31, 2019
• Business experienced a loss of equal to or greater than 10% when comparing FY20 and FY21 tax returns to FY19 tax returns
• Business is located in Cayuga County and licensed to do business in NYS and Cayuga County
• Business is a for-profit organization (not a nonprofit organization)
• Business has 25 or fewer employees as of January 1, 2020
• Business has annual gross receipts of less than or equal to $1,000,000.
• Business is not delinquent on any taxes
• Business is not delinquent on any local loans
• Business is not currently filed or has filed for bankruptcy
• Business is not a franchise
• Business is not a chain
• Business is not a passive real-estate business entity (passive income)
• Business did not receive more than $2,500 from the City of Auburn’s Pandemic Small Business Grant Program
• Business will enter into a Grant Agreement with Cayuga County that will include, but is not limited to, evidence of expenditures and outcomes through a one-time, end of program report.

Need Help?

CEDA is administering this program for application intake and processing.
Please submit any questions in writing to:

Maureen Riester, Economic Development Specialist
CountyGrant@cayugaeda.org

Important Dates:

• December 31st (Saturday) – deadline for submitting completed grant applications
• January 6th (Friday) – CEDA plans to complete review and processing of applications
• January 20th (Friday) – Cayuga County Award Review Committee plans to finalize award recommendations and
• February 6th (Monday) – County plans to contact awarded businesses and circulate Grant Award Agreements to awardees for execution.  Issuance of grant funds to awarded businesses will be completed as soon as administratively possible following the County’s receipt of executed grant agreements.