There are currently no Microenterprise grant funds available. 

We will announce in our NCCED Newsletter when the Microenterprise

Assistance Program has been approved for more funds. 

Please sign up for our Newsletter Here.

 

Download the application and complete for submission   OR    Click Here to Submit Application and attachments online.

Program Details:

The Niagara County Microenterprise program provides resources to support and foster the development of microbusinesses by providing grants in conjunction with capacity building and entrepreneurial assistance. Awards to individual businesses will range up to $25,000.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

  • A private for-profit business entity; corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship that is legal, licensed and operating.
  • A new start-up or expanding business with five or fewer employees, one or more of which may be the owner of the business at the time of application.
  • Be located or intend to locate their business in towns or villages within Niagara County.

*Businesses located in the City of Niagara Falls, City of Lockport, and City of North Tonawanda are NOT eligible for this County Program as they have additional programs to assist micro-enterprise businesses.

  • Contribute at least 10%, in cash equity, of the cost of the project.
  • Must Already have or register for a government Unique Entity ID (replaces DUNS #) Click here for instructions
  • Create one (1) full time equivalent (FTE) new job, taken by or made available to persons from low-to-moderate income (LMI) families OR be owned by a person qualified as LMI.

Use of Funds:

Grant funds must be used by the recipient for:

  • Inventory
  • Purchase of machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures
  • Working capital

Grant funds shall not be used to purchase real estate to repay existing debt, or to undertake building façade or interior renovations (construction work).

Required Entrepreneurial Training:

Niagara County Center for Economic Development has partnered with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide free training that is a requirement of this Grant. The training will cover various topics such as legal issues, taxes, recordkeeping, accounting, financing, marketing and advertising, and employee issues.  The owner or one of the owners, if multiple, of the company must take the training and receive a Certificate of Completion from SBDC.

 

CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Susan Barone, Grants & Operations Manager NCIDA

[email protected]

716-278-8763

 

SBDC Partnership:

The Niagara Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free training and instructional programs targeted to the needs and interests of small businesses at every stage of growth from startup to expansion.  The SBDC provides management and technical assistance services including:  business planning, development of marketing strategies, cash-flow projections, and financial analysis, and application assistance.

The SBDC can help Western New York entrepreneurs:

  • Understand the importance of a business plan
  • Discover sources of funding
  • Prepare for e-commerce
  • Identify avenues for exporting goods and services
  • Develop marketing plans
  • Assess an invention’s marketability
  • Comply with licensing and regulation

Click here to learn more about the SBDC.