NYS Small Business Recovery Grant Program

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All information is based on our current understanding as of the date that it is posted. Please keep in mind this information is changing rapidly – it can and likely will change. Some information becomes outdated the same date it posted. Although we will monitor and update this page as new information becomes available, please do not rely solely on this page. We encourage you to contact your Lutz, Selig & Zeronda advisor for the latest information.

As of June 10th, New York State small businesses may begin applying for the state’s $800 million recovery grant program. The program was created to help businesses through the next phase of recovery, and to fund operating expenses incurred during the pandemic. Eligible expenses must be incurred between March 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, and include amounts paid for payroll, commercial rent/mortgage payments for NYS-based property, NYS local or school property taxes, insurance, utilities, personal protection equipment (PPE), HVAC and other equipment costs, and supplies and materials for health/safety protocols. Grants received under this program cannot be used to re-pay or pay down any portion of a loan received through a federal COVID-19 relief package or a NYS business assistance program.

Businesses qualifying for this grant include small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations whose operations must have begun on or before March 1, 2019, and whose business is still viable and in operation (but may be shuttered due to COVID restrictions) as of the application date. Eligible Applicants will be required to show a loss of gross receipts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols which resulted in business modifications, interruptions, or closures. Small business and micro-business must meet the following criteria:

  • Gross receipts for 2019 or 2020 must total between $25,000 and $500,000 per year, with a 25% decrease in 2020 compared with 2019.
  • A positive net profit must have been reported on the 2019 business return.
  • Expenses for 2020 must be greater than the potential grant amount receivable.
  • The business may not owe federal, state, or local taxes prior to July 15, 2020, or must have an approved repayment/deferral plan with the authorities.

Businesses that received a PPP loan of up to $100,000 or an EIDL Advance Grant of up to $10,000 may still apply for this NYS grant. Ineligible businesses include non-profits, churches, government-owned entities, businesses engaged in political or lobbying activities, businesses that received awards from the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Grant Program, landlords and passive real estate businesses.

Grant amounts will be calculated based on 2019 receipts with the following thresholds:

Annual Gross Receipts Grant Amount
$25,000 – $49,999.99 $5,000
$50,000 – $99,999.99 $10,000
$100,000 – $500,000 10% of gross receipts, maximum $50,000

Priority will be given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, including minority and women-owned enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, or businesses located in communities that were economically distressed prior to March 1, 2020.