ARPA funds totaling $196,728 distributed to St. Lawrence County businesses, organizations

CANTON – Local businesses, non-profits and organizations in Massena, Canton, Potsdam, Winthrop, Lisbon and Morristown will receive $196,728 American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency announced the funds are to be awarded to 18 businesses, non-profits and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Receiving money from the small Business or Non-Profit Assistance Program,

totaling $35,000, were $5,000 for J&J Appliance Services, Winthrop; North Country Showcase, Massena; and Railroad Productions, Canton. Receiving $2,500 were Maple Ridge Kennels, Canton; Potsdam Consumer Cooperative, Potsdam; Simplicity Clothing, Massena; Strandz Salon, Gouverneur; Forevermore Studio, Massena; Ellen Mills Rentals, Lisbon; Foster the Plant Café, Potsdam.

Funds for the Facility and Infrastructure Improvements Fund will go to Northern Physical Therapy, Massena, who will receive $50,000; Fabulous Finds Boutique, Massena, who will get $24,553; and Morristown Gateway Museum, Morristown, who will get $12,675.

Workforce Training and Development funding will go to CREST Center at SUNY Canton, in the amount of $24,500.

Massena International Airport and Ogdensburg International Airport each were awarded $25,000 for marketing opportunities.

The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators recently approved the county American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Committee’s recommendation for funds to be administered by the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency.

"In addition to the loans approved yesterday, over $250,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds that the County allocated to the IDA for small businesses and non-profit enterprises, training initiatives, and tourism marketing activities has been awarded. The Board of Legislators had a range of options for how to spend the ARPA funds the County received, what they are enabling us to do with the Economic Development and Tourism Funding Program has now supported over three dozen small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals through the CDL-A and family daycare training programs," St. Lawrence County IDA Executive Director Pat Kelly said.

The Board of Legislators declared that “economic development and tourism are essential to improving the services and activities available in St. Lawrence County.”

The county has been allocated $2,900,000 total in ARPA funds to be distributed through the St. Lawrence County IDA to organizations. Some of the funds have been allocated to other businesses and organizations in recent months.

The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency is now accepting applications for ARPA funding assistance. 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 guarantee of award. Applications will be reviewed, and awards will be made at the discretion of the St. Lawrence County IDA.