PLATTSBURGH — The Village of Rouses Point has awarded Microenterprise Program grants to three businesses in downtown Rouses Point.
The first round of grants will bring two new businesses to Rouses Point, fill vacant commercial space in the downtown area and create jobs.
The new businesses are a bed and breakfast at 250 Lake St., planned by Bill and Ann Carey for the former Cedar Hedge Nursing Home site, and Rouses Point Beer Emporium, owned by Richard Seguin and Tammy Dibernardo.
The other business to receive a grant is Northeastern Woodworking, owned by Scott Bleau.
Each of the businesses received $35,000.
The Microenterprise Program, a state-funded grant initiative sponsored by the village, provides grants and business development training for new and existing businesses.
The goal, according to a news release, is to “create jobs, enhance the village’s downtown and bring residents and visitors to Rouses Point.”
GRANTS AVAILABLE
Microenterprise Program funding is still available. Existing and prospective businesses with five or fewer employees, including the owner, that are considering locating in downtown Rouses Point or that are now located there may apply.
Revitalization Coordinator Melissa McManus said Phase 1 of the Microenterprise Program awarded $105,000 total to the three projects, which are projected to create four new jobs available to low-to-moderate-income people.
“That is in addition to the income that the owners will generate — all of whom live in Rouses Point,” she told the Press-Republican on Thursday.
The program still has $67,000 in funding available to micro-businesses, with $17,720 of that reserved for a startup business.
The program ends Dec. 9. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
TRAINING BEGINS
As part of the Microenterprise Program, the village will sponsor an Entrepreneurship Training Program, with classes in small-business development.
All businesses receiving a grant must attend the Entrepreneurship Training Program.
Any business considering an application is also being encouraged to attend the training, which begins this Saturday at St. Patrick’s Parish Center.
The training will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a half-hour break for lunch, on four successive Saturdays.
The Microenterprise Program requires 16 hours of training.
The training is also open to anyone currently operating or interested in starting a business in Rouses Point. Those who did not receive grants will be asked to cover the cost of materials, which is $150.
For more information on the grant program and training, contact Melissa McManus at 297-6753 or melissamcmanusllc@gmail.com.
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
The next meeting of the Downtown Revitalization Committee will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, in the St. Patrick’s Parish Center building.
The meeting is open to all.
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