A new state grant is now available to boost small businesses located on Buffalo’s East Side. IIB played an instrumental role, ensuring the application directions are available in multiple languages. The New York State grant is administered by LISC on behalf of Empire State Development, and IIB provided translations in the top 12 languages used across New York. Those are:
- Spanish
- Chinese
- Russian
- Italian
- Haitian Creole
- Bengali
- Korean
- Polish
- French
- Yiddish
- Arabic
- Urdu
The East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant is a $3 million program created by NY Gov. Kathy Hochul to assist largely minority-owned establishments and small businesses following the mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue in May 2022. Empire State Development will provide grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible businesses located in designated areas on the East Side.
The window to apply is open through Friday, February 17. The LISC website has specific requirements, and links for the translated applications here.