Ulster County has announced it is giving financial assistance to 42 businesses and nonprofits through its CARES II Small Business Grant award program. This is the second round of funding in the CARES program and is designed to support and expand the operations of local small businesses and organizations with 25 or fewer employees and provide much-needed relief from the economic effects of the Covid pandemic.
A wide variety of expenses including rent, payroll, equipment, and fixed assets are eligible for reimbursement through the program, with a minimum award amount of $5,000 and a maximum award amount of $35,000 provided directly to businesses and organizations.
Ulster County said that more than 270 applications for funding were received. The applications were reviewed by a six-person committee composed of County Legislators John Gavaris, Kevin Roberts, and Chris Hewitt, along with three county employees appointed by the Ulster County Executive”™s Office. The Ulster County Economic Development Alliance reviewed the committee”™s recommendations and formally approved them.
“I want to congratulate the more than 40 small businesses and nonprofits throughout the county that received these awards,” said County Executive Jen Metzger. “In the aftermath of the pandemic, the funding will provide financial relief and assistance where it is most needed, as well as the opportunity to support the growth and vitality of these businesses and organizations, especially when it comes to creating and retaining jobs throughout the county.”
Hewitt said that the review process revealed local businesses are in need of major support as they recover from the pandemic, and that he and his colleagues would continue working to support these businesses. He also said that the number of applications made it clear that more funding is needed.
“The recipients of the CARES II small business grants demonstrated that the pandemic drastically impacted their businesses,” said Hewitt.”They each have strong plans to keep their businesses and organizations successful into the future.”
The first round of the CARES program aid totaled nearly $930,000 and covered eligible expenses from Dec. 23, 2021 through Oct. 31, 2022. It provided direct financial assistance to 34 small businesses and organizations, more than half of which were women- and minority-owned. The county said that as a direct result of this funding those businesses added 38 new full-time jobs and 27 part-time jobs while retaining 82 full-time and part-time jobs.
