Assemblyman Steve Otis (AD – 91) and Senator Shelley B. Mayer (SD – 37) hosted a small business webinar yesterday with Tom Scaglione, Regional Director, Mid-Hudson Region of the Empire State Development (ESD) and Huey-Min Chuang, Senior Director of Business & Economic Development of ESD to provide an overview of state grant opportunities available to assist small businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am pleased the Senate and Assembly created programs to provide $800 million in direct grant funding to small businesses affected by the pandemic, and appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Empire State Development Corporation to get these and other available funds out the door as quickly as possible.”

Assemblyman Steve Otis said, “In response to the pandemic the Legislature and the Governor included significant one-time grant opportunities for small business in the adopted 2021-22 State Budget. Today’s presentation is part of our ongoing effort to provide businesses, not-for-profits and individuals with the information they need to apply for a variety of grant and assistance programs.”

The webinar focused on the $800 million Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, eligibility criteria. Interested applicants can visit the Empire State Development link at www.nysmallbusinessrecovery.com to learn more. A number of other small business programs were also discussed. Information on all of these programs can be accessed at the Empire State Development link.

In addition to the one-time funding opportunities the webinar also covered the state’s annual Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process which includes a centralized application process for a wide variety of grants from over 30 state agencies. There is $750 million available in this round of funding for not-for-profits, businesses and local governments covering 30 different programs across 9 agencies. The CFA application deadline this year is July 30 at 4pm. Visit https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov to learn more about CFA funding opportunities. Application materials and detailed descriptions of programs available can be downloaded from that site.

In addition, the NYS Council of the Arts (https://arts.ny.gov/nysca-grant-opportunities) and Arts Westchester (https://artswestchester.org/grants/) have grant opportunities for arts organizations that are now live. Please visit their respective websites for more information.

Additional opportunities exist for restaurants, non-profits, for-profit independent arts organizations, renters and homeowners. To view a recording of the webinar please visit Assemblyman Otis’ (https://www.facebook.com/Assemblyman-Steve-Otis-303717623097704) or Senator Mayer’s (https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyMayerSD37) Facebook page. For additional information on state grants please contact Senator Mayer at 914-934-5250 or Assemblyman Otis at 914-939-7028 at their District Offices.