CANTON – Applications are now available for the Canton CARES Small Business Grant Program to provide financial assistance to microenterprises and small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Director of Economic Development Leigh Rodriguez, explained the Canton Cares Small Business Grant Program (CCSBGP) has been established to provide grants to microenterprises and small businesses with less than 25 employees in the Village that have been impacted by the pandemic. Rodriguez will also serve as the CCSBGP program manager

As such, the primary goal of the program is to address improvements that support customer and staff safety and improve business resiliency related to future occurrences of the virus or other disasters; allowing businesses to prepare for, prevent, or respond to impacts of the pandemic.

A 2022 Community Development Block Grant to the Village is providing $500,000 in funds to support the CCSBGP. All types of microenterprises and small businesses within the Village of Canton will be eligible for consideration, with the exception of not-for-profits. Businesses must commit to demonstrating job retention or creation with at least 51% of jobs taken by or made available to low-moderate income persons. A microenterprise owner can also qualify by meeting the definition of a low-moderate income person.

All applicants must demonstrate how the proposed use of funds will enable the business to prepare for, prevent, or respond to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prospective applicants should contact the Office of Economic Development (OED) for application information. The OED will screen applicants for program eligibility, and provide application materials to those interested. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended.

For more information contact Leigh Rodriguez, Program Manager, at (315) 386-2871 #5, or lrodriguez@cantonny.gov.

People can also visit the Village of Canton website at www.cantonny.gov