Franklin County Economic Development Corp. Secures $565,000 in CARES Funds For Franklin County

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Funding will help eligible small businesses prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Franklin County Economic Development Corp. (FCEDC) recently secured $565,000 from the New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds for Franklin County businesses. The FCEDC submitted the funding application on behalf of the County in August of 2021.

The Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) and the Office of Community Renewal (OCR) have made CDBG CARES funding available on a rolling basis for a variety of activities that prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects selected for award will assist in the recovery of New York State communities by improving the resiliency of businesses.

Eligibility for the program will include:

Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, who are able to:

  • Demonstrate they are impacted by the pandemic

  • Propose a project that responds to and/or prevents impacts of COVID-19

  • Demonstrate their project will retain or create jobs for low-to-moderate income persons

Full details on the program and application process will be forthcoming.

Don Dabiew, Chair of the Franklin County Legislature said, “The pandemic has negatively impacted small businesses in Franklin County in many ways, not the least of which is the continued closure of the US/Canada border. The Franklin County Legislature recognizes the challenges our businesses are facing and we are appreciative of the FCEDC’s work to secure this funding for businesses in our county.”

Jeremy Evans, CEO of the FCEDC said, “Since the beginning of the pandemic we have worked closely with the Franklin County Legislature and other partners to provide support to our existing businesses by connecting them to available resources and by creating an emergency loan program to assist businesses that were not eligible for other forms of financial assistance. The need for assistance is still significant and we commend the Legislature for their continued commitment to the businesses of Franklin County. We also recognize the efforts of Russ Kinyon, our Director of Economic Development, who worked tirelessly to prepare and submit this successful funding request.”

Donna Kissane, County Manager for Franklin County said that “Partnering with the Franklin County Economic Development Corporation to secure funds to assist small businesses has been successful in the past and we are thankful to have new opportunities through this funding.”

Russ Kinyon, Director Economic Development of the FCEDC said, “We hear from many small businesses who are still enduring the effects of COVID impacts and have plans to bounce back. This funding will go a long way to assist those efforts and will be a critical support to projects that will improve their capacity for future safety and resilience.”

For more information, visit the Adirondack Frontier website.

About the Franklin County Economic Development Corp.:

FCEDC is a unifying economic development organization that helps entrepreneurs start and grow businesses, fosters a shop-local, community-first culture, and works to attract visitors with the hope they’ll become locals.