The Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee (Chairwoman Sperry and Legislators Clinton, Corcoran, Hewitt, Litts, Stewart and Walls), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairwoman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee, Megan Sperry, and Deputy Chair Herbert Litts, III offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Ulster County Department of Economic Development; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development identified microenterprise business assistance as an eligible activity under the New York State Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) Business Expansion and Start-up Program and prepared a draft application requesting $300,000.00 in funding toward the creation of a microenterprise grant program known as the Ulster County Entrepreneur Employment Grant Program; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Entrepreneur Employment Grant Program will award microenterprises defined as businesses with 5 or fewer employees according to the eligibility guidelines detailed in the program design plan up to $35,000.00 for eligible expenses; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature conducted the necessary public outreach to receive comments on the proposed direction of the County’s application including a public hearing with proper public notice which was held on June 18, 2024; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Director of the Department of Economic Development or designee is hereby authorized to submit an application, as well as all necessary understandings, assurances, and additional information as may be required, to the New York State Office of Community Renewal for the purposes of New York State Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) Business Expansion and Start-up Program toward the creation of a microenterprise grant program to provide financial assistance for profit businesses with five (5) or fewer employees, for an identified CDBG eligible activity which will result in the creation or retention of permanent,

private sector job opportunities, principally for persons from low-moderate income families; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Director of Department of Economic Development is hereby authorized to act as certifying officer including the filing of any certifications necessary for the purposes of implementing this award; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of all grant applications submitted shall be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature prior to or immediately upon submission to NYSOCR;

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:      

Passed Committee: Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture on ______________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$300,000.00 - ANTICIPATED 2025 REVENUE DOLLARS