Delaware County, NY CDBG Microenterprise Grant Program – Application Round 2 – Opening Soon

Boot Camp Program Fall 2026

Registration Form Fall 2026

Microenterprise Program 2026 – For Start-Up’s Only

The Delaware County Microenterprise Grant Program seeks to support the County’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem by assisting small businesses with small grants and entrepreneurial training that will lead to the creation of new jobs, particularly for low-to-moderate income (LMI) persons. The primary focus will be on start-up businesses. A start-up is defined as an enterprise that has been in operation or had formal structure documentation filed fewer than 6 months prior to submitting the grant application.

Eligibility

The County of Delaware, New York was awarded the funding opportunity through a grant from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Eligible Businesses- Start-up’s ONLY.

Grants will be available only to microenterprises. A microenterprise is defined as a commercial enterprise that has five (5) or fewer Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) employees, one (1) or more of which owns the enterprise at the time of application. Projects either assist a business owner whose income falls below the HUD defined 80% of area median income or create a position for an individual who falls under the HUD defined 80% of area median income.

Eligible Activities

• Eligible expenses include inventory, machinery, furniture, movable fixtures and equipment and working capital.
• Ineligible expenses include the repayment of existing debt, construction or renovation, assistance to a nonprofit, reimbursement of costs incurred prior to the grant award, political or religious activities and lobbying.

Location

The business must be located within Delaware County, New York.

Funding

New and existing microenterprise businesses will be eligible to apply for a grant of $5,000 to $35,000.

A match is required.

Match Requirements: 

• Job Creation (Standard Applicants): A 50% owner equity contribution is required. Of this amount, a minimum of 10% must be the cash equity of the owner. The remaining 40% may come from cash, traditional debt financing, or other documentable funding sources.
• Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Business Owners: Businesses that are at least 51% owned by individuals who meet low-to-moderate income guidelines are eligible for a reduced equity requirement of 40%. However, a minimum of 10% must still be the cash equity of the owner.
• In-Kind Contributions: In-kind contributions are not permitted and will not count toward the required match.

Use of Funds

• Eligible expenses include inventory, machinery, furniture, movable fixtures and equipment and working capital.
• If you are applying for working capital, eligible expenses include:
  • Rent or Mortgage
  • Insurance
  • Inventory
  • Utility Bills
  • Employee Salaries (employees only, not the business owner)
  • Professional Services (marketing, advertising, etc.)
• Ineligible expenses include the repayment of existing debt, construction or renovation, assistance to a nonprofit, reimbursement of costs incurred prior to the grant award, political or religious activities and lobbying.
• While ineligible for grant reimbursement, construction / renovation expenses may serve as match.

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants for the microenterprise grants include entrepreneurs and/or existing microenterprise business owners (businesses with 5 or fewer employees; including all owners).

Additional eligibility requirements include:

• Have a planned or existing business operation located in Delaware County, NY.
• Complete the WCCRC Bootcamp 10/13/2026 @ MTC Conference Room & 10/14/2026 @ WCCRC Conference Room
• Applicants will be required to verify owner and/or employee income eligibility according to U.S. Housing and Urban Development income guidelines:

• Businesses must demonstrate the creation of at least one, new Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) job, or

• The owner must meet low to moderate income guidelines. (Businesses pledging the creation of jobs will be required to either make them available to or fill jobs with LMI eligible individuals). See table below.

• Applicants must have a UEI number.
• Private recreational facilities and those selling and/or producing products with a greater than 0.3% THC content are ineligible.
• All applicants must be in good standing with the State, County and the Town, and current with their taxes.
• Applicants must be citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States.

Programs Income Guidelines FY 2025: Delaware County, New York