Herkimer County IDA boosts microenterprise awards, advances brownfield and water projects

Herkimer County — The Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency on an itemized agenda approved increases to its microenterprise grant program, advanced several water and infrastructure projects and voted to support a memorandum of understanding on the Charlestown brownfield site, agency officials said during the meeting.

The board approved a revision to the county’s microenterprise grant program that Home and Community Renewal (HCR) had approved allowing awards up to $35,000 per full-time position (previously the program allowed up to $14,000 per business under certain eligibility rules). Agency staff reported the microenterprise fund totals $255,000, with $150,000 already approved and a remaining balance of $105,000. Staff said that if prior awardees accept the additional amounts offered, the remaining balance could be exhausted; board members approved increases to specific awards on today’s agenda, including additional funds for the business identified in the agenda as “Susie Q.” The agency recorded that Susie Q had documented $40,269 in eligible equipment expenses and would receive an additional $21,000 without needing to spend more money.

The board also discussed other microenterprise recipients by name (ADOS, Sherpa and Juliana Farms) and staff said some had already submitted disbursement requests.…