Micro Ag Grant Now Available for Third Year

The Delaware County Department of Economic Development is pleased to announce the receipt of funding under the State’s Community Renewal Funding program.  The approved $200,000 grant will enable the continuation of the County’s Agricultural Microenterprise Program for a third year. Although the ag-micro program will continue to seek to aid in the expansion of existing small agricultural businesses, and encourage the development of new, agricultural micro enterprise businesses, it will also aim to help in the growth of agriculture based tourism businesses within the County. Entrepreneurs applying for these grant funds will be required to complete a series of small business workshops which have already been scheduled and are fast approaching. Seating is limited; register soon.

In support of the needs of these existing and emerging agricultural ventures, the Agricultural Microenterprise Program will establish a $190,000 fund offering grants of up to $30,000 to assist small businesses in financing the costs of starting or expanding their agriculture related business operation.  Grant funds will require a dollar for dollar match, and may be used to offset a portion of the working capital and machinery/equipment expenses of the business project. Acquisition, construction or renovation expenses will not be eligible for reimbursement but will be considered, as appropriate, for inclusion as matching expenses. 

Additionally; the Office of Community Renewal requires that all recipients of these grant funds participate in small business training as component of the Agricultural Microenterprise Program. As a result, the Delaware County Department of Economic Development is utilizing the services of the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) to provide entrepreneurs with the required educational resources, including topics such as; local farming community/practices, developing your farm plan, a financial overview, and developing a sales and marketing strategy. These classes are scheduled over three Saturday sessions beginning later this month (January 28th, February 4th and February 11th). Entrepreneurs interested in applying are encouraged to register (http://www.cadefarms.org/events-1/2017/1/28/business-planning) and attend these trainings as there are no other planned training dates. Seating is limited; don’t delay.

Through the 1st year of this grant program 21 applications were received and $185,000 in funding was awarded to the following 13 businesses; Vulto Creamery, Township Valley Farm, Muddy River Hops, Berry Brook Farm, Unadilla Hops, Catskill Food Company, Roxbury Mountain Maple, Anderson’s Hillbilly Honey, Dirty Girl Farm, Catskill Cattle Company, Lucky Dog Local Food Hub, Byebrook Farm and Stamford Smokehouse. Last year, the second year of the program, an additional 22 applications were received and 13 more projects were selected to share in receipt of the $185,000. These 13 projects included; Home Grown Custom Meat Processing, East Brook Farm, The Green Shepherd Farm, Good Cheap Food, Treadlight Farm, Kerrs Creek Distillery, Carrs Creek Pastured Meats, Bovina Valley Farms, Wayside Cider, Creek-Crest Holsteins, Berried Treasures, Polar Bear & More, and Stony Creek Farmstead. Summaries for the projects each of these businesses are undertaking or have completed will be made available through the Economic Development website (www.DCEcoDev.com) in a few weeks.

Information on the process and deadline to apply for these grant funds will be available mid. February 2017.  To learn about this and other business initiatives, programs and funding opportunities available through Delaware County, please visit the Delaware County Economic Development website at www.DCecodev.com or contact; Delaware County Economic Development, One Courthouse Square, Suite 4, Delhi, NY 13753, by phoning (607) 832-5123 or emailing info@DCecodev.com.  To stay informed, please “LIKE” the departments page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DelawareCountyEconomicDevelopment/.