County Program Provides Money To Help Businesses, Nonprofits

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced Wednesday a $10 million funding initiative to support small businesses and nonprofits facing challenges due to the new coronavirus. Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow is a new grant program designed to offer immediate financial relief to organizations in Westchester County that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Latimer said the county was at a critical point in its history, which calls for leadership and innovation.

“The Westchester County Business FIRST Program will provide urgent financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits now, and set the foundation to rebuild our economy as we work toward a sustainable future,” he said.

The Westchester County Business FIRST Program is being administered by the county Office of Economic Development through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The program is open to businesses and nonprofits that employ 99 or fewer people and whose primary business location is in Westchester County. Eligible business and nonprofits can apply for grants of up to $49,000.

Applications will be accepted from Sept. 21 through Sept. 30 at this link.

“These are difficult times, but as ‘The Catalyst’ for economic growth and vitality, the Office of Economic Development is here to support county businesses and nonprofits,” said Bridget Gibbons, Westchester County’s director of economic development.

“These organizations help fuel our economy and provide quality jobs in our communities.This funding is designed to help them recover and get back to business,” she said.

To be eligible, organizations must be in good standing with Westchester County and are required to demonstrate revenue losses of at least 25 percent from March 7 to present due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The applicant must establish that the organization was a financially viable operation prior to March 7, the date Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed Executive Order 202 declaring a disaster emergency. The organization must have been open as of Feb. 1, currently be in operation or closed temporarily and plan to reopen for business in 2020.

Certain entities are not eligible to apply for Westchester County Business FIRST grant, including units of government; real estate holding companies, businesses or nonprofits that generate revenue through passive real estate; adult entertainment establishments; gas stations and businesses or nonprofits that have defaulted on federal debt, including loans from the Small Business Administration.

Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.