| In response to the economic hardship experienced by small businesses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the County of Rockland is launching the Small Business Grant Relief Program. The goal is to keep businesses open and retain jobs. It is a grant program in response to businesses that are at-risk of closing or laying off employees due to social distancing policies and other orders and policies related to COVID-19. Financing under this program is available to eligible for-profit businesses registered and located within municipalities that are a part of the 2019 HUD Action Plan Urban Consortium: Towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw and Stony Point and Villages of Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Grand View, Haverstraw, Hillburn, Kaser, Montebello, New Hempstead, Nyack, Piermont, Pomona, Sloatsburg, South Nyack, Spring Valley, Suffern, and West Haverstraw. Funding Source: County of Rockland’s HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) Program in the amount of $600,000. Funding Amounts: A maximum of $45,000 per business, based upon need. Minimum request is $5,000. Application Request: Applications are now available and will be accepted until grant money is exhausted. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION |
News
Skoufis Advocates for West-of-Hudson NYC Commuters in “Congestion Pricing” Meeting
Senator James Skoufis spoke on behalf of west-of-Hudson commuters at a public meeting regarding NYC’s Central Business District Tolling Program (“congestion pricing”) on September 29th.
“There is simply inadequate transit from west of Hudson into the business district. There really is very little opportunity to migrate from driving… to train service… I implore the review board to please consider a dollar-for-dollar credit for drivers from Orange & Rockland Counties.”
Applications Now Open for $3.5 Million in CARES Act Grant Funding For Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Rental Relief
New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and Community Development Assistant Director Maria Frank announce that applications are now available for Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funding. Rockland County received $3,550,162 to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the spread of COVID-19.
“We know Rockland is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and this funding is just one of the ways we in county government are working to support local businesses, nonprofits and residents. We are here to help these groups navigate the application process and federal requirements of this program,” said County Executive Ed Day.
The County of Rockland is funding three separate programs from this grant and due to federal requirements only certain areas of the county are eligible:
Small Business Grant Relief Program – Maximum of $45,000 per business, based upon need. Minimum request is $5,000:
The goal of this program is to keep businesses open and retain jobs in those that are at-risk of closing or laying off employees due to social distancing policies and other orders and policies related to COVID-19.
Financing under this program is available to eligible for-profit businesses registered and located within municipalities that are a part of the 2019 HUD Action Plan Urban Consortium: Towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw and Stony Point and Villages of Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Grand View, Haverstraw, Hillburn, Kaser, Montebello, New Hempstead, Nyack, Piermont, Pomona, Sloatsburg, South Nyack, Spring Valley, Suffern, and West Haverstraw.
Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Public Services Program:
Rockland County is allocating funds to qualified non-profit 501(c)(3) agencies serving Rockland County to support a variety of activities that prevent, prepare for, and/or respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Activities are required to provide new or quantifiably increased public services that assist and/or benefit the low- and moderate-income population affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Financing under this program is available to eligible non-profit agencies serving county residents located within municipalities that are a part of the 2019 HUD Action Plan Urban Consortium: Towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and Stony Point and Villages of Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Grand View, Haverstraw, Hillburn, Kaser, Montebello, New Hempstead, Nyack, Piermont, Pomona, Sloatsburg, South Nyack, Spring Valley, Suffern, and West Haverstraw.
COVID-19 Rent Relief Grant Program:
This program is designed to fund up to 6 months past due rent not to exceed the CDBG/HOME published Fair Market Rents based upon family and bedroom size and also up to 6 months past due utility bills if funding allows.
Basic eligibility: the renter must document at least a 30% reduction of income since March 1, 2020, related to COVID-19; or renter must have become unemployed after March 1, 2020, due to COVID-19 and renter’s income may not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income for Rockland County as defined by HUD:
Financing under this program is available to eligible households located within municipalities that are a part of the 2019 HUD Action Plan Urban Consortium: Towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, and Stony Point and Villages of Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Grand View, Haverstraw, Hillburn, Kaser, Montebello, New Hempstead, Nyack, Piermont, Pomona, Sloatsburg, South Nyack, Spring Valley, Suffern, and West Haverstraw.
Households must have a lease with an unrelated landlord and may not be residents of public housing buildings or receive Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance.
The applications for each program and federal eligibility requirements are available to download here: https://rocklandgov.com/departments/community-development/cdbg-cv-cares-act/
Skoufis Presents Tomkins Cove Library with $68,000 for Window Replacement
Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) presented the Tomkins Cove Public Library with a $68,000 grant to support replacement of the historic library’s upstairs windows, improving heat retention and general efficiency throughout the building.
Erected in the 1870s as the Tomkins Cove Union School–one of very few projects in the area to be constructed with its specific poured concrete method–the library required custom-designed windows to suit the historic nature of the building. Following the library’s previous installation of a new door and ground floor windows, this upstairs environmental upgrade will ensure generations of readers will continue to enjoy the library’s unique character.
“I’m thrilled to help the Tomkins Cove Library evolve their space with this funding,” said Senator Skoufis. “Library leadership has been working diligently to make improvements that support a better experience for local kids and families, and it’s my pleasure to help the library meet the needs of its community in the years ahead.”
“Since his time in the Assembly, Senator Skoufis has been committed to seeing projects through which benefit our communities,” said Library Board President Eleanor Kassner. “Libraries are places where we come together, learn, and gain a better understanding of one another. They’re more important now than ever. Thank you Senator Skoufis for paving the way for our future!”
Ed Day Endorsed by Rockland County Correction Officers Benevolent Association
Correction Officers cite strong leadership for endorsement consideration
New City, NY – Ed Day, Rockland County Executive announced the endorsement of the Rockland County Correction Officers Benevolent Association (COBARC). COBARC represents the corrections officers of the Rockland County Sherriff’s Office throughout the five towns of the County.
“The Corrections Officers Benevolent Association of Rockland County respects the great work that you have done for Rockland County and we look forward to working with you for the next four year period as your commitment to public safety and the overall well-being of Rockland County has demonstrated what a strong leader embodies,” reads the endorsement on behalf of the group from COBARC President, Martin Fogarty.
“We look forward to your continued leadership and to working together with you to reach our common goals,” the endorsement continues.
“The members of COBARC, who make up an important part of our law enforcement community in Rockland, are hardworking and dedicated officers who are integral to keeping Rockland and our residents safe. I am proud to continue our strong partnership and to have their endorsement in my re-election as County Executive,” Day said.
Ed Day is seeking his third term as Rockland County Executive. During his tenure, he has turned an inherited $138 million deficit into a $90 million surplus, created the Rockland Center for Codes Investigations, and led Rockland through the COVID-19 pandemic through his “Safety First, People Always” initiative.