More of Cortland County’s Federal Aid Allocation will again be used to help small businesses here. Assuming the full legislature approves, a committee Thursday endorsed a request from the Cortland County Business Development Corporation for another $300,000, doubling the money for small business grants.
This would be an additional $300,000 to the BDC’s initial $300,000 award to fund the agency’s façade and downtown business assistance programs.
More than 90 businesses have applied for assistance. They have to put up some of their own money for projects such as improving facades and expanding services or product lines. 41% of the funding will help local tourism.
The county received $9-million in federal COVID relief money.
In a unanimous vote Thursday, the Aid Allocation Committee approved adding an additional $300,000 to the BDC’s initial $300,000 award to fund the agency’s façade and downtown business assistance programs.
BDC Executive Director Garry VanGorder said, “We are pleased that the committee sees the value that these programs bring to the community.” He went on to say, “These additional funds allow the BDC to fully fund the programs as originally envisioned.”
