North Country Regional Economic Development Council

Governor Hochul Announces Expanded Eligibility for the $800 Million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program

Governor Kathy Hochul announced changes to New York State's $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program that will enable more small businesses to apply for funding. Starting today, businesses with revenues up to $2.5 million can apply for grants, up from the previous threshold of $500,000. Additionally, the limitation for businesses that received Federal Paycheck Protection Program loans has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000.   

Applicants can find assistance to complete the application here:  https://nysmallbusinessrecovery.com/partners/county/

Click Here for more information on New York State's Business Recovery Programs

The Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) was inaugurated in 2019 with a mission to invest $175 million throughout New York State for innovative, creative, and regionally customized workforce development projects.

In the first round of WDI funding, over $70 million was awarded to 225 organizations to support regionally significant industries in emerging fields with growing demands for jobs — including clean energy, life sciences, computer science, and advanced technologies — as well as efforts to improve the economic security of women, young workers, and other populations that face significant barriers to career advancement.

In this second call for applications, the WDI will bring together the resources, plans, and perspectives of multiple state agencies and authorities, the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs), non-profit training providers, and private sector employers to further New York’s goal to build back stronger as we emerge from the challenges of the past 18 months. 

Applications Are Now Being Accepted

2021 WDI Guidebook                     WDI Program Guidelines              WDI Webinars               Apply Here

The deadline has been extended for the short form applications to the Biodefense Commercialization Fund from September 27 to October 4.

The $40 million Biodefense Commercialization Fund, which was included in the FY2022 budget, was created to encourage and accelerate the development and commercialization of solutions for serious infectious disease threats, including COVID-19 and its variants, while fostering the creation of new life science businesses and supporting industry growth. The Fund offers grants to startups and academic centers that are developing promising diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, and such other innovations as epidemiological surveillance tools, environmental controls, and clinical care advances that address or mitigate infectious disease threats.