Empire State Development Announces “Raising The Bar” Restaurant Recovery Fund (New)

Empire State Development is offering grants of up to $5,000 for restaurants adjusting to COVID-19 safety guidelines. "Raising the Bar" grant funding can be used for COVID-19-related improvements and equipment.

Restaurants can apply to the "Raising the Bar" Restaurant Recovery Fund starting Monday, January 11, 2021.

SBA Extends Application Deadline for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (New)

The Small Business Administration has announced that the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan has been extended to December 31, 2021. These loans offer working capital funds to businesses affected by COVID-19.

The Omnibus Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief Package includes several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and creates a “Second Draw” PPP for some small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Other changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans. The legislation also provides grants for shuttered live performance venues.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has published a guide to the legislation, which explains what is known about how the law will affect small businesses.

We expect the U.S. Small Business Administration to release their own guide to the law and how it will be implemented, and we will share that information as it becomes available.

As always, SBDC business advisors are here to help you navigate these programs and assist with any other business needs you may have.

Jan 12; 10:00 - 11:30 AM

In this webinar, presented by Justin Miller of Universal Bookkeeper, you will learn why bookkeeping for your small business is critical to running an organized operation. We will discuss an overview of different methods to keep track of your financial records that range from simple to more complex, along with strategies that you can implement today that will make you more efficient and effective in preparing financial reports for your business.

Three-Part Course: Jan 19, Jan 26, Feb 2; 10:00 - 11:00 AM

The Mohawk Valley SBDC has partnered with StreamSkill.com (part of the Simon Sez IT family) to provide QuickBooks Desktop training. This hybrid program includes training videos from StreamSkill.com along with three virtual classroom sessions with QuickBooks experts from the Mohawk Valley SBDC.

Federal Women-Owned Small Business Certification (New)

Feb 23; 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Attention Women-Owned Businesses! The SBA has changed the process to become certified as a woman-owned small business for federal opportunities. 

This webinar is hosted by SBDC Government Contracting Coordinator Gina Hayduk. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

New York State has partnered for a first-in-the-nation program with leading global

e-commerce partners–Ritual ONE & PayPal, Shopify, Square, Clearbanc, and Etsy–to

accelerate New York State-based small businesses’ ability to grow their online presence.

The Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency is pleased to announce the development of a Microenterprise Grant Fund. Funding from the state in the amount of $200,000 will be granted to small and start-up businesses with five or fewer employees, that want to establish or expand a new or existing business located within Herkimer County. Grant amounts will range from $5,000 to $35,000, depending upon job creation and owner’s income status.