OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County government, Operation Oswego County, Inc. (OOC) and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) join forces to offer a micro-enterprise grant program aimed at strengthening local small businesses. Owners must submit a pre-application by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 to get started.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Operation Oswego County and the state HCR to launch this micro-enterprise grant program,” said Oswego County Legislator Mary Ellen Chesbro, District 10, chairwoman of the Legislature’s Economic Development and Planning Committee.
“Small businesses play a vital role in our local economy but often face greater challenges accessing the funding and resources they need to expand and thrive,” she continued. “This program is designed to help owners overcome barriers, support their growth and invest in their future.”
The Oswego County Micro-enterprise Grant Program provides funding in the range of $5,000 to $35,000 to help launch, expand or stabilize local commercial enterprises. Qualifying projects or expenses include equipment, machinery, inventory and working capital such as rent or mortgage, insurance, utilities, staff salaries and marketing or advertising services.
Eligible business owners must show a 10% cash equity match and be able to pay the cost of the project upfront. Once completed, they may request reimbursement of 90% of the costs. In-kind contributions are not permitted and will not count toward the required match.
The program must either support a business owner whose income is below 80% of the area median income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or create a job opportunity for an individual whose income falls below that threshold.
Other applicant eligibility requirements include:
- Five or fewer full-time employees, including the business owner
- Private, for-profit business entity or corporation, sole- or partner-owned
- Planned or existing business located within Oswego County
Participants selected for the grant program will be required to complete OOC’s six-week Microenterprise Training Program, a series of classes to help educate business owners on valuable tools and resources available to them.
Funding for the Oswego County Micro-enterprise Grant Program is provided by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
To learn more about the Oswego County Micro-enterprise Grant Program, including additional eligibility requirements and the pre-application survey, click on “Turn Your Business Vision into Reality.”
Interested candidates must complete the “Survey of Project Interest” section (pages 6 and 7) and email it to OOC Economic Development Manager Nathan Emmons at [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.
For more information about Operation Oswego County, Inc., call 315-343-1545 or go to Operation Oswego County.
Source: Oswego County news release, Oct. 26, 2026.
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