The $800 million New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program provides grant funding to small and micro businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations impacted by the pandemic. The grants will be flexible and can be used for a number of different business operating expenses, including payroll, rent or mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, PPE or other business expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021.
Click here to view the Frequently Asked Question guide surrounding the NYS Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program.
Eligible Business Qualifications
Small businesses, Micro-businesses and For-profit independent arts and cultural organizations must be currently viable and have begun operation on or before March 1, 2019 and continue to be in operation as of the date of application (may be shuttered due to COVID-19 restrictions).
Eligible Applicants will be required to show loss of gross receipts or other economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols which resulted in business modifications, interruptions, or closures.
Grant Amounts:
Grant awards will be calculated based on a business’ annual gross receipts for 2019:
- Annual gross receipts: $25,000-$49,999: Award is $5,000/business;
- Annual gross receipts: $50,000-$99,999: Award is $10,000/business; or
- Annual gross receipts: $100,000-$500,000: Award is 10% of gross receipts (max grant is $50,000)
Eligible Use of Grant Funds:
The grants must be used for COVID-19 related losses or expenses incurred between March 1st, 2020 and April 1st, 2021. These include:
- Payroll costs; or
- Commercial rent or mortgage payments for NYS-based property (but not for any rent or mortgage prepayments); or
- Payment of local property or school taxes associated with a small business location in NYS; or
- Insurance costs; or
- Utility costs; or
- Costs of personal protection equipment (PPE) necessary to protect worker and consumer health and safety; or
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) costs; or
- Other machinery or equipment costs; or
- Supplies and materials necessary for compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols; or
- Other documented COVID-19 costs as approved by ESD.
Documentation Requirements:
Click here to see the documentation needed to submit your grant application.
How to Apply:
- Full Program details will be announced shortly.
- The application portal is expected to open for applicants on June 10, 2021 at 9am ET.
Learn More:
If you're interested in learning more, there is a weekly half-hour webinar series which will occur on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., starting July 1. Click here to attend. ID: 834 6991 5817 / Passcode: 293103