In response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s mandate that all essential businesses must provide for the health and safety of their employees during the COVID-19 crisis, Chautauqua County, the county Industrial Development Agency, the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation, Jamestown Community College and the local foundations have teamed up to provide 50/50 matching grants to businesses.

This necessary funding is to be used to purchase personal protective equipment, such as masks, gowns, thermometers and gloves. In addition, the CCIDA is partnering with JCC to provide technical assistance/guidance to businesses to help them re-configure their workspaces in order to provide the appropriate social distancing and other protocols to protect workers.

The application is one page; the grant award amount will be based on the number of employees at the business, the awards are capped at $1,000 and all business sectors qualify.

“The CCIDA is being proactive and flexible in assisting businesses in a real way in the short-term to weather the COVID-19 crisis,” said Mark Geise, ceputy county executive for economic development.

“We have almost completely expended our budgeted funds for the Emergency Working Capital Loan Program ($250,000), and now we are allocating funding to help businesses to purchase PPE. We have made it very simple for businesses in all sectors to apply for and receive this grant funding expeditiously so they can protect their workers and comply with the Governor mandate. We expect to help dozens and dozens of businesses, both large and small, while protecting the health and safety of employees through this program.”

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said, “Once again, the CCIDA and the foundations have stepped up in a BIG way to provide direct financial assistance to businesses during these challenging times. They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. I feel confident in saying that the County is doing everything it can muster to assist the general public, businesses, and employees to get through this crisis unscathed. The matching grant funding to businesses being administered by the CCIDA and CREDC is another creative program that furthers this cause.”

“I am pleased the CCIDA contacted JCC to support this important program,” said Daniel DeMarte, JCC President. “Providing technical assistance to protect the workplace is another example of what the college does to directly help businesses and employees.”

For more information or to apply for the program, contact the CCIDA at 661-8900 or go to the CCIDA website at ccida.com.