Delaware County explains $300,000 microenterprise CDBG: who can apply, what’s eligible and key deadlines

Delaware County staff on Jan. 8 described a $300,000 New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Microenterprise Program that will provide grants and entrepreneurial training to support startups and existing businesses that create or retain jobs for low-to-moderate-income (LMI) individuals.

In opening remarks Speaker 1 said, "Delaware County was awarded a $300,000 New York State Homes and Community Renewal community development block grant for microenterprise program to support businesses, both start up and existing enterprises." The county intends the funding to provide small grants and training to businesses with five or fewer employees, including the owner.

Why it matters: the program is designed to meet CDBG national objectives by either (a) creating new full‑time equivalent jobs for LMI persons or (b) serving businesses owned by LMI individuals. Speaker 2 summarized this test: if more than one job is created, at least 51% of the jobs must go to LMI individuals; alternatively the owner may qualify as LMI based on household income.

Who can apply and key definitions - Eligible microenterprises are businesses situated in Delaware County with five or fewer employees (including the owner). "Micro enterprise is a business with 5 or few employees, including the business owner at the time of application," Speaker 1 said. - A full‑time equivalent (FTE) for the program is 37.5 hours…