Delaware County announced the opening of a $941,175 Delaware County Resiliency and Income Loss (RAIL) Grant from the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal CARES Act Funding.
Funds will be awarded to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that have expenses related to activities that helped prevent the spread of the virus, respond to impacts of the virus, and safely reopen and prepare their businesses for new safety protocols.
CARES Act protocols allow funds to reimburse expenses dated back to March 13, 2020.
The process of securing the grant has taken approximately one year, said Chairman of Delaware County’s Economic Development Committee Dennis Valente.
The county will start accepting applications and get funding to businesses that were affected and are still affected by the pandemic.
The RAIL grant has two categories: The COVID Resiliency and Economic Loss category is meant to assist businesses that need to or have adapted their operations in order to prepare for, prevent and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects such as the purchase of vehicles for at-home delivery of goods or services, online store development, expansion of outdoor dining space, and other expenses are eligible; The Economic Loss category is intended for businesses that experienced severe economic loss from expenses mostly related to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as paying regular business expenses while shutdown or operating at a restricted capacity. Businesses will have to show proof of expenses and how they are connected to responding to, preparing for and preventing COVID-19.
Application guidelines and draft applications are available at dcecodev.com/rail.
The deadline for applications is Jan. 25, 2023. For more information or questions contact ecd@co.delaware.ny.us or 607-832-5123.
