Small Business → Big Boost supports entrepreneurs to bring their dream of opening or expanding a business to reality. The program will provide applicants with training, funding, and the essential resources and tools needed to successfully open or expand their businesses. The program is designed to stimulate economic growth, creating businesses and jobs that will improve and preserve Livingston County communities.
Program Goals:
Create opportunities for the development of businesses that stimulate employment opportunities for persons of low- to moderate income families.
Recruit new business that will enhance the existing business mix.
Assist existing businesses with their plans to significantly expand or branch into an additional business concept that enhances the existing business mix.
Improve the economic climate for all area businesses through increased traffic and encouragement of resident and tourist spending.
Generate a positive buzz about Livingston County and its communities.
Eligibility:
Applicants can be a new business start-up or expansion of an existing business.
Applicants must be a private, for-profit business entity.
Existing businesses must have five (5) or fewer employees, one (1) or more of which is the principal and owns the enterprise at the time of application. This includes both part-time and full-time employees.
Applicants must income qualify OR create at least one full-time equivalent job.
Applicants do not have to live in Livingston County to apply, but we invite you to take a look around… we think you’ll like it here.
Priority will be given to first time grant applicants.
Funding:
Small Business → Big Boost will provide grant funding to selected applicants. Requests can range from $5,000 to $35,000. The maximum award is not intended to serve as a target amount for requests for assistance. The amount of assistance must be based on need and cannot exceed 80% of the total project cost.
Eligible use of funds includes:
Inventory
Furniture, fixtures, equipment
Operating capital including rent, utilities, supplies, and payroll
All eligible purchases must be made following execution of a grant agreement. Funds CANNOT be used to repay existing debt, undertake any construction or renovation, or purchase vehicles.
Important Dates:
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Application to participate due by September 15th.
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All applicants must participate in entrepreneurship training. The training consists of two, six-hour days. There are three trainings to choose from:
Tuesday, September 23 + Tuesday, September 30
Saturday, September 27 + Sunday, September 28
Thursday, October 9 + Thursday, October 16
Note: Your class enrollment will be confirmed after you submit your application to participate.
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Following completion of training, graduates will be eligible to apply for funding (completion of training does not guarantee funding). Applications for funding are due October 29th.
Note: Your application for funding will be available once your application to participate is accepted.
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Awards will be announced on November 10th.
Deadline to participate: 3:00 PM EST on September 15, 2025.
Late submissions will not be accepted. Applications can be submitted by email, mail, or in person. Hand deliver or mail to: Livingston County Economic Development, 6 Court Street, Room 306, Geneseo, NY 14454, or submit electronically to: info@growlivco.com.