KINGSTON, NY - Recipients of the Ulster County CARES II Small Business Grant award program have been announced, with 42 Ulster County small businesses and nonprofit organizations receiving grants. This second round of funding 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 COVID-related economic stressors.
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.
Over 270 applications were reviewed by a six-person review 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 on April 11.
“I want to congratulate the more than 40 small businesses and nonprofits throughout the County that received these awards,” said Ulster 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.”
"The recipients of the CARES II small business grants demonstrated that the pandemic drastically impacted their businesses," said County Legislator Chris Hewitt, District 21, "and they each have strong plans to keep their businesses and organizations successful into the future.”
Hewitt said 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.
“The applications made it clear that the need for funding far surpassed the amount available in the program’s budget,” Hewitt continued. “My legislative colleagues and I will continue to find opportunities to strengthen local businesses and nonprofit organizations."
The list of awardees is comprised of businesses and organizations across 16 municipalities throughout Ulster County and includes:
- Starlite Motel LLC
- Sport of Iron Fitness
- Wardell Pottery
- Sadies Babies, LLC dba: The Little Gym of Kingston
- Nina Schmidbaur LCSW Psychotherapy P.C.
- Community Compost Company LLC
- Dixon Roadside
- Belleayre Rentals LLC DBA Belleayre Lodge
- Hurds Family Farm LLC
- Minard Farms Beverage Company Inc
- Evolve Functional Fitness
- Early Childhood Visionary Center
- Stone House Tavern (alanlinda llc)
- Paws of Distinction
- Common Table
- Au Mas Turque LLC d/b/a Masa Midtown
- Mountaintop Waldorf,LLC
- DM Dry Cleaners
- Schaller Enterprises Inc. DBA Americas Best Value Inn New Paltz
- Garvan's Rock & Rye
- Joe Lingeman
- Northeast Off Road Adventures
- Harana Market
- Westwind Orchard, LLC
- Carole Amper Inc dba Toucan Hats
- Costas & Tate Insurance Agency Inc
- So Handmade LLC
- SJ Galaxy Construction, LLC
- Bryt Life Foods Corp.
- Ulster County Historical Society
- Accord Market
- HUDSY Cooperative LCA /HUDSY LLC
- Shadowland Artists, Inc. dba SHADOWLAND STAGES
- HeartMoves Inc
- Crane Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine
- Electric Valley Media LLC DBA Shawangunk Journal
- L'Impatience LLC
- ERICHSENS AUTO, INC
- Catskill Construction Consultants, Inc.
- Wet Behind the Ears, LLC DBA: MIRABAI OF WOODSTOCK
- Libolt & Sons Inc.(D/B/A Affordable Housing Concepts)
- Pritzker Studio & Gallery
The CARES II Small Business Assistance Program is modeled after the successful CARES I program that concluded in early 2023. The first round of the program reimbursed businesses for nearly $930,000.00 of eligible expenses made from December 23, 2021 - October 31, 2022, and provided direct financial assistance to 34 small businesses and organizations across a variety of sectors. Over half of those grants went to women and minority-owned businesses, and as a direct result of this funding, those businesses added 38 new full-time jobs and 27 part-time jobs, on top of the 82 full- and part-time jobs they retained.
For upcoming program information or to contact Economic Development for services go to www.ulstercountyny.gov/oed.
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