CANTON – Local businesses in Helena, Lisbon, Canton, Waddington, Parishville and other towns will receive $67,500. American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (“IDA”) approved an initial round of ARPA awards the IDA is administering on behalf of St. Lawrence County.

Receiving money from the small Business or Non-Profit Assistance Program are the Helena General Store, Helena, $2,500; Shoulette’s Redemption Center, Canton, $2,500; Route 68 Deli, Lisbon, $2,500 and GardenShare, Canton, $2,500

Funds for the Facility and Infrastructure Improvements Fund will go to TBB River Road LLC (Main Street Perc), Waddington, $5,000.

Workforce Training and Development funding will go to The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence, Existing Worker Training, $7,500 and Adirondack Fragrance and Flavor Farm, Parishville, New Worker Training, $5,000.

Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality Capacity Building Grant Program was awarded to Cranberry Lake Mountaineers Snowmobile Association, $40,000.

In declaring that “economic development and tourism are essential to improving the services and activities available in St. Lawrence County,” the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators allocated $2,900,000 in ARPA funds to be distributed through the IDA to organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we want to provide the funding as quickly as possible and are making an initial set of awards, we also want to make sure the eligible businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the county have ample awareness and time to understand the program and submit applications. We will continue to accept applications until Oct. 17 and then will make additional awards. Assuming funding remains available, we will continue that process of setting deadlines and making awards on a monthly basis until the funds are completely allocated,” IDA CEO Patrick J. Kelly said.

“The St. Lawrence County ARPA Committee and the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators are excited to be working with the St. Lawrence County IDA in the administration and distribution of the remaining $2.9 million of ARPA funds. The purpose and intent of the SLC ARPA Committee was to prioritize any spending in a manner that benefited everyone within in SLC. We are confident that our IDA has the expertise and knowledge to utilize these funds where most needed,” stated Legislator Kevin Acres, District 8, and ARPA Committee Chair.

Visit www.slcida.com/ARPA for applications and further information regarding the ARPA programs administered by the IDA.

Please contact the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency at 315-379-9806 or info@slcida.com for additional information.

The next round of ARPA applications will be accepted until Oct. 17 and reviewed within 30 days. Additional rounds of applications will be announced after Oct. 17 as long as funding remains available for the program. Further information regarding the ARPA programs, including applications, is available on the IDA’s website at www.slcida.com/ARPA. Completion of an application is not a guaranty of award. Applications will be reviewed, and awards will be made at the discretion of the St. Lawrence County IDA.