Niagara County Awarded Additional Funding for Microenterprise Assistance Program
Niagara County has received $300,000 through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application for the County’s Microenterprise Assistance Grant Program. The program, which is administered by the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, provides resources to support and foster the development of microbusinesses.

Grants of up to $25,000 are available to for-profit, start-up or expanding businesses located in the towns or villages of Niagara County with 5 or fewer employees. Applicants must also show they are able to contribute 10% cash equity to the cost of the project. Grant funds can be used for purchases such as inventory, machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures; and providing working capital to get the business started or to expand on an existing business.

Niagara County has partnered with the NCCC Small Business Development Center(SBDC) to provide free of charge management and technical assistance services to any applicant including business planning, development of marketing strategies, cash-flow projections, and financial analysis. The County also partners with the SBDC to provide the required entrepreneurial training that will cover various topics such as legal issues, taxes, recordkeeping, accounting, financing, marketing and advertising, and employee issues for microbusinesses.

Business eligibility details and Application for the Microenterprise Assistance Grant Program can be found at www.niagaracountybusiness.com/microenterprise.   Please note, only complete applications will be reviewed for consideration of grant funds.

For further information, please call the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency at
716-278-8763. 
2023 Niagara County Virtual Business Workshop Series Announced
The dates and topics for the 2023 Niagara County Virtual Business Workshop Series have been announced. They will include the following:

Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - Local Economic Development Programs
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - State & Federal Business Programs
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - Workforce Development & Training
Thursday, October 12, 2023 - Brownfield Cleanup Assistance
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 - Energy Incentives & Low Cost Power

All of these workshops are free and will begin at 10:00 a.m.

This year's Virtual Business Workshop Series is jammed packed with information.  We encourage you to sign-up to attend all of the sessions, as each one will offer a different set of programs for businesses
NORLIC Awarded $1.4M Grant by Housing Trust Fund to Assist with Neighborhood Stabilization & Restoration Efforts
The Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC) – often referred to as the Land Bank – has been awarded a $1.4 million grant by the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation and NYS Homes and Community Renewal. NORLIC had submitted an application for the competitive grant program earlier this year.
 
NORLIC is a municipal partnership that works with communities to acquire vacant and abandoned properties. NORLIC’s goal is to return abandoned properties to productive use, creating a better community for future generations. Municipal partners include Niagara County, Orleans County, and the cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda. These grant funds will help NORLIC do the necessary work to prepare acquired properties for future sale and rehabilitation. 
 
"The City of Niagara Falls is excited to work with NORLIC to ensure that this funding has the maximum possible impact on our community,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino. “The work to mitigate vacant, abandoned, and distressed properties is key to improving neighborhoods, and will allow our community to build on the successes we have had."
 
According to Niagara County Legislator and NORLIC Vice Chairman Chris Voccio, the organization has already sold several vacant properties this year.
 
“NORLIC’s ability to pick buyers who have the highest and best use for vacant properties eliminates land speculators and instead makes sure we choose people who want to plant roots in our community,” said Voccio. “This additional funding will help us continue to build momentum around our redevelopment efforts.”
Niagara USA Chamber Honors Annual Dinner to Celebrate Business Excellence
Global NY Export Opportunity Coming to Western New York
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Continue to look for emails from our office updating you on the latest programs and resources, as well as webinars and training opportunities that you can participate in. To learn more, be sure to visit our website and bookmark it.

Sincerely,

Niagara County Center for Economic Development
(716) 278-8750