The Geneva City Council approved a resolution scheduling a public hearing to consider the city's application to the New York State Office of Community Renewal for Community Development Block Grant funding under the Business Expansion and Start‑Up (BEST) program.

Staff described BEST as the state’s current name for a microenterprise/microbusiness assistance program the city has administered previously. The hearing will allow the public to comment on the city's proposed application and give staff an opportunity to present the local plan required by the state as part of the application process.

Why it matters: BEST (formerly a microenterprise program) provides grant support and technical assistance that cities can use to help new or expanding very small businesses; local administrations commonly hold a public hearing as part of the state application process.

Votes and next steps

The clerk recorded a roll call and the council adopted the motion to schedule the public hearing. Staff said the state runs on a fiscal‑lag schedule and the city is applying to the current available state funds; further administrative steps will follow to open the application and intake process if the grant award is received.

Ending

The resolution schedules a public hearing; it does not commit city funds or make awards. Staff will post the hearing date and materials and proceed with the application process as required by New York State.