The New York State Legislature has granted Industrial Development Agencies (IDA) temporary authority to provide grants to qualified local small businesses and non-for-profit organizations that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. This has led to the creation of the Town of Montgomery IDA State Disaster Grant Program.

Eligible entities include for-profit businesses and 501(c)(3) organizations with no more than 50 employees. Businesses and non-profit organizations must be located within the Town of Montgomery and must have been financially viable prior to the state disaster declaration as well as negatively affected by COVID-19.

Grants of up to $10,000 can be awarded solely for the purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) or fixtures necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Grant awards will be in the form of reimbursement. Applicants that receive notice that they have been awarded a grant must provide the IDA with receipts and/or proof of purchase to receive the grant monies. Grants may be used for reimbursement of PPE and/or fixtures already purchased only if PPE and/or fixtures were purchased on or after June 17. Receipts and/or proof of purchase date must be provided.

Town of Montgomery IDA staff or counsel may request additional information or clarification, including financial projections. Each applicant must provide to the Town of Montgomery IDA: payroll certification that employment does not exceed 50 employees, documentation showing they are physically located in the community served by the Town of Montgomery IDA and certification that they in fact are a business or non-profit organization.

Grants can be provided during the period of the state disaster emergency declaration and the program will sunset no later than Dec. 31, 2021.

Qualifying purchases include N95 masks, hand sanitizers, sneeze guards, face guards and face shields, gloves and eye protection, safety footwear, air purifiers, cleaning materials and disinfectants, specialized packaging for shipping, signage and COVID-19 testing kits.

Businesses and non-profit organizations who wish to apply for this grant can do so by visiting montgomeryida.com/grants.

“We know COVID-19 has hurt communities, small businesses, nonprofits and individuals alike,” said Conor Eckert, Executive Director of the Town of Montgomery IDA and Director of Economic Development for the Town of Montgomery. “The fact that the IDA is able to assist businesses and nonprofits purchase PPE and fixtures to stop the spread of COVID-19 is very meaningful.”