Small Business Vitality Assistance grant applications open
Following a successful first round of the ARPA-funded Small Business Vitality Assistance program, the application for the second round is now open. Launched in December 2022, more than $200,000 has already been provided in support of 26 Albany entrepreneurs – 77 percent of which are MWBEs – with the new round of the $750,000 program providing an expanded list of eligible funding opportunities.
Funded through the City of Albany’s $80.7 million American Rescue Plan Act award, and available to businesses and entrepreneurs that are located within Albany’s city limits, the grant is administered through the Central Avenue Business Improvement District, in partnership with the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, Arbor Hill Development Corporation, Albany Chapter of the NAACP, and Small Business Development Center.
Complete program guidelines, eligibility information, and intake forms can be found here.
Funds distributed through round one of the programs were utilized for costs related to COVID Recovery, Entrepreneur Class/Program Tuition, and Technical Assistance. Learning the needs of businesses from applications and feedback, program partners have expanded the objectives for round two, and the Small Business Vitality Assistance program will now assist in six categories:
- COVID Recovery
- Entrepreneur Class/Program Tuition
- Technical Assistance
- Marketing
- Equipment/Supplies
- Small-scale Façade Improvements
Grants of $2,000-$15,000 will be awarded, with individual funding based on the application that meets the basic eligibility requirements, demonstrated need, impact to business growth, business fluency, capacity, and prior support.
Interested businesses must complete the online intake form at businessvitalityalbany.org by September 8, 2023, and questions should be directed to [email protected].
Small Business Resources Open Houses:
Four free and open to the public Small Business Resources Open Houses will be held in August, during which attendees can explore numerous grant and business services programs available for new or existing businesses and entrepreneurs. Featured guest speaker at all events will be Author and Entrepreneur Angelo "Justice" Maddox. All four will take place at the S.T.E.A.M. Garden at 279 Central Avenue.
- Tuesday, August 15 at 9:00 AM
- Tuesday, August 15 at 12:00 PM
- Thursday, August 17 at 3:00 PM
- Thursday, August 17 at 6:00 PM
