Office of the County Executive
22 Market Street ¨ Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 486-2000 ¨ Fax: (845) 486-2021
Date: September 9, 2020 For Further Information Contact: Colleen Pillus, Communications Director (845) 486-2000Molinaro Announces Stabilization Grants for Microenterprise Businesses Negatively Affected by COVID
Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced today Dutchess County has made $430,000 in grants available to assist microenterprise businesses negatively affected by COVID-19, through a program administered by Community Capital New York (CCNY). A microenterprise is defined as a business with five or fewer employees, including the owner. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 to stabilize microenterprises and preserve low- and moderate-income jobs. Eligible businesses can apply online at https://communitycapitalny.org/the-dutchess-county-microenterprise-stabilization-grant-program/ County Executive Molinaro said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this pandemic has forced many to close, with many more struggling to remain open. These grants will help these businesses stay afloat – keeping our neighbors employed and communities vibrant.” The funding for the program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant COVID/CARES Act (CDBG-CV) which was provided to the County’s Urban County CDBG Consortium. Eligible businesses must be in a municipality which is a member of the Consortium. The Consortium includes all Dutchess County municipalities, except the City of Poughkeepsie, which received its own CDBG-CV funds; the city is expected to announce a similar program using its CDBG-CV funds by in the near future. City of Beacon is also committing $150,000 towards this program, specifically for business located in the City of Beacon. Funding for this program is from the City’s Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) funds; its applications will be accepted via the same application and follow the same guidelines, and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible businesses must meet the following standards, established by the federal government:
- Five or fewer employees, including the owner
- Located in the Dutchess County Urban County CDBG Consortium
- Retain, rehire or create at least one low- and moderate-income job for six months
- For-profit business (non-profits are ineligible)
- Operate outside of a residential property
- In operation prior to March 15, 2017
- Not be one of the following business types: adult book, video and entertainment facilities, check cashing facilities, gambling facilities, gun shops, liquor stores, non-therapeutic massage parlors, medical marijuana production /distribution, pawn shops, tanning salons or tattoo parlors
- Must document that funds are not duplicating other financial assistance provided via the CARES Act.
- Retain, rehire, or create at least one full-time position for a person whose full-time annual salary is below $54,950 . For retention, the position must be at imminent risk of job loss without the funding; or
- The business is located within a Low- and Moderate-Income Area (LMA) http://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Planning/docs/2020-CDBG-Low-Mod-Map.pdf and primarily serves local residents; or
| Household Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Income Limit | $54,950 | $62,800 | $70,650 | $78,500 | $84,800 | $91,100 | $97,350 | $103,650 |
Eligible uses of funds include:
- Rent
- Working capital
- Technical training
- Machinery and equipment, including personal protective equipment for employees
- Certain other costs associated with stabilizing a small business
- Relocation of business operations
- Renovations
- Paying off existing debt
- Reimbursement for costs incurred before aid
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Colleen T. Pillus Communications Director Dutchess County Executive Office 22 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Phone: (845) 486-2000 Fax: (845) 486-2021 email: cpillus@dutchessny.gov www.dutchessny.gov