Genesee approves $875K in CARES funding for 22 small businesses
Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center
BATAVIA – Genesee County has awarded 22 local businesses $875,000 through the Genesee CARES Business Recovery Fund.
For-profit businesses with 25 or less employees who experienced adverse economic impacts due to the Covid pandemic were eligible to receive funding.
Genesee CARES awards will support investments related to employment restoration, job hiring, outdoor dining development, working capital and business resiliency. The program was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The program was based on a first come, first serve basis.
“The Covid pandemic took a heavy toll on our small businesses and the Genesee CARES program funding will help many of them start the process of recovering,” said Matt Landers, Genesee County manager. “With most mandates lifted and warmer weather on the way we urge Genesee County residents to get out and support our small business community.”
Businesses in various industries applied and received funding from the CARES Program including restaurants, hospitality, construction, and others. Among some of the businesses to receive support included Craft Cannery, Chap’s Elba Diner, Terry Hills Restaurant, and Fava Brothers Lawn Care to name just a few.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and our micropolitan economy,” said Don Cunningham, chairman of Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation which administered the program. “The Genesee CARES initiative demonstrates the strong collaboration among various public sector entities to support the private sector from business downturns experienced during the pandemic.”
Awards ranged from $15,000 to $75,000 and were made to businesses in the City of Batavia and the Towns of Batavia, Bergen, Byron, Le Roy, Alabama, Elba and Oakfield. The program received 43 applications of which 29 were deemed applicable.
Through the grant, businesses awarded funding are proposing to support low-to-moderate income workers through new hires, retention and/or expanded hours for existing employees.
For more information about the Genesee CARES program visit www.GeneseeCARES.com.
The recipeints include:
- First Wave Technology, $25,000
- Sweet Betty’s, $20,000
- Pro Construction, $25,000
- Red Roof Inn, $25,000
- Terry Hills Restaurant, $75,000
- La Quinta, $25,000
- Hodgins Engraving, $60,000
- Rivers Performance, $10,000
- Chaps Elba Diner, $50,000
- Craft Cannery, $60,000
- Sikes Enterprises, $25,000
- Caryville Inn, $25,000
- Center Street Smokehouse, $25,000
- Smokin Eagle BBQ, $50,000
- John’s Service, $25,000
- Alleghany Services, $60,000
- Eden Café, $25,000
- Copperhead Creek Bar, $75,000
- Byron Hotel & Trailhouse, $50,000
- Empire Hemp, $15,000
- Fava Brothers Lawn Care, $60,000
- The Spa at Artemis, $65,000
