Senator Michelle Hinchey Announces Launch of $800 Million Small Business Recovery Grant Program Secured in NYS Budget

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (June 8, 2021) – Today, on Saugerties Main Street, alongside business owners and Chamber of Commerce leaders from Ulster and Greene Counties, Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) announced the imminent launch of the $800 million COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program and encouraged eligible businesses in the 46th District to apply. Online applications for the program will open Thursday, June 10, at 9:00 AM.

During the 2021 State Budget process, Senator Hinchey, who serves on the Senate Economic Development and Small Business Committee, fought for a relief program targeted at small businesses to help them recover from the impact of the pandemic. Unlike many pandemic-related federal programs, New York State Small Business Recovery Grants are a source of direct economic relief for businesses and do not have to be paid back.

The new state-created grant program makes up to $800 million in funding available to small businesses with 100 or fewer employees and micro-businesses with 10 or fewer employees, including small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations.

“We can’t just talk about the importance of small businesses in our communities, we need to act and give them the resources to get back on their feet. The Small Business Recovery Grant Program will do just that,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “This budget season we went to bat for our Main Street businesses, and I’m proud to announce that funding is finally on the way to give them the relief they need. I strongly encourage all eligible business owners in the 46th District to take advantage of this important funding initiative and reach out to my office directly for help navigating the application process. We want our small businesses to come back stronger than ever and we’re here to be a resource to make sure that happens.”

Businesses can apply for grants from $5,000 up to $50,000 to cover pandemic-related operating expenses incurred between March 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, including:

• 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 (PPE) necessary to protect worker and consumer health and safety
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) costs
• Other machinery or equipment costs
• Supplies and materials necessary for compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols
• Grant allocations will be calculated based on a business’s annual gross receipts for 2019.

Ward Todd, President & CEO of the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Ulster Chamber is delighted to join Senator Hinchey in her efforts to inform our members and to urge our members to take advantage of the Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grants. Many of our small businesses and local not-for-profit organizations continue to struggle to pay their bills, to make payroll, to keep their doors open. These grants have the potential to be a life saver for many Ulster County Main Street businesses, here in Saugerties and around our region.”

Jeff Friedman, President & Executive Director of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, said, “I am pleased to be joining Senator Hinchey in announcing and promoting this vitally needed program to help our Greene County businesses recover and thrive from the challenges of the last year. This program will ensure that the businesses that are in need of a helping hand will receive direct assistance and thus be able to continue to provide the products, services, and jobs that our communities rely upon.”

The State estimates that more than 330,000 small businesses are eligible for the funds, which will be administered by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC). Priority will be given to small businesses that did not qualify for federal assistance or did not receive sufficient federal aid as well as veteran-owned businesses, and minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE).

Small business owners in the 46th District are encouraged to call Senator Hinchey’s office at (845) 331-3810 or email the Senator at hinchey@nysenate.gov with any questions about the Small Business Recovery Grant Program and other NYS Business Pandemic Recovery Initiative programs.

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