Empire State Development East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program Round 3

Program Goals As part of her Juneteenth announcement, and in response to the May 14, 2022 racially motivated mass murder of 10 persons at Tops Friendly Markets in the Jefferson Avenue Business District in East Buffalo, Governor Hochul committed to making $50 million in community investments in housing, business, and other types of relief available. The East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program is part of this investment.

The $3 million provides grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible small businesses in a designated area of East Buffalo to help largely minority owned establishments rebound from the social and economic impacts of the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue.

Program Components Grants are administered by LISC and calculated based upon the business’s gross receipts: • Annual gross receipts: $5,000 -$49,999: Award is $5,000 / business • Annual gross receipts: $50,000 -$99,999: Award is $10,000 / business • Annual gross receipts: $100,000 -$1,000,000: Award is 10% of gross receipts (maximum grant is $50,000).

Two of LISC’s partner organizations, The Exchange at Beverly Gray, and The Foundry, are providing on-the-ground assistance to business owners in need.

Eligibility Requirements Applicants may apply for one business only and must be 18 years of age to apply. Each grant is limited to one grant per individual business tax ID. Awards will be made to qualified businesses, in operation prior to Dec. 31, 2022 and eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission. Nonprofits are not eligible. Qualifying businesses must be located in the area designated below. Area bounded: • Main Street (properties fronting on both sides) south to North Street; • North Street (properties fronting on south side) east to Michigan Avenue; • Michigan Ave (properties fronting on east side) south to I-190; • I-190 east to the Norfolk-Southern RR overpass and the Buffalo River; • Buffalo River east to the City of Buffalo border; and • City of Buffalo border north to Main Street, (excluding the University at Buffalo South campus).

Learn more at lisc.org/ny.

Email: [email protected]

Grant applications for Round 3 can be submitted online March 15 – May 10, 2024.

Application Assistance:

Exchange at Beverly Gray 334 E. Utica Street, Buffalo, NY 14208 Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am -1pm Thursdays 1pm-4pm 716-800-2171. The Foundry 298 Northampton Street, Buffalo, NY 14208 Mondays & Wednesdays 3pm -6pm. 716-885-1381.