NY expands eligibility for $800 million Covid small business program

Businesses encouraged to apply for grants up to $50,000

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul announced changes to New York State’s $800 million Covid-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program that will enable more small businesses to apply for funding.

Starting on Wednesday, businesses with revenues up to $2.5 million can apply for grants, up from the previous threshold of $500,000. Additionally, the limitation for businesses that received Federal Paycheck Protection Program loans has been increased from $100,000 to $250,000.

“Supporting the small businesses across our state that got hit hard by the pandemic is a top priority for my administration,” Governor Hochul said. “We simply cannot have a full economic recovery if the small business community continues struggling to survive. With the Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program opening up to a greater pool of businesses, I strongly urge all the owners who qualify to submit their application so they can access this funding.”

Launched in June, the program initially focused on small and micro-businesses across New York State, which were largely left out of federal business recovery initiatives. Empire State Development and its partners have worked hard ensure that these businesses have the technical assistance – including guidance during the application process and support to overcome language barriers – they need to be first in line for this program.

To date, more than $48 million has been awarded to over 2,380 small and micro-businesses in all ten regions of the state. The modifications announced today ensure additional small businesses can more quickly access funding through the program.

Empire State Development and Lendistry, the minority-led Community Development Financial Institution that was selected to administer the program, will continue to accept and review applications. All current applicants – those who have not finished their applications, have not uploaded documents or have incomplete documentation – are encouraged to finalize their applications as soon as possible. Previously ineligible small businesses may start applying today, and those applications will start being processed on Wednesday, September 8. More information, including program guidelines and the grant application, can be found by clicking here.

Grants for a minimum award of $5,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 are calculated based on a New York State business’ annual gross receipts for 2019. Reimbursable Covid-19 related expenses must have been incurred between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021 and can include payroll costs; commercial rent or mortgage payments for New York State-based property; payment of local property or school taxes; insurance and utility costs; costs of personal protection equipment necessary to protect worker and consumer health and safety; costs for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or other machinery and equipment; and supplies and materials necessary for compliance with Covid-19 health and safety protocols.