Small businesses that have a new or renewed lease for office space in Lower Manhattan are eligible for a cash grant program if they sign their lease by Dec. 31, 2004.
The W.T.C. Small Firm Attraction and Retention Grant Program, run by the Empire State Development Corporation and New York City Economic Development Corporation, is a post-9/11 program designed to assist businesses and not-for-profit organizations with 200 or fewer employees located south of Canal St.
It provides cash grants to eligible businesses that commit to leasing space and employing people south of Canal Street for a minimum of five years. Assistance ranges from $3,500 to $5,000 per employee.
Businesses that were located south of Canal St. as of Sept. 11, 2001 and commit to stay Downtown at least five years may also qualify for the program.
Applications are being accepted through Dec. 31, 2004. Businesses that enter into new leases for eligible premises between Sept. 1, 2004 and Dec. 31, 2004 may submit an application through April 1, 2005.
For more information, call 1-800-I-LOVE-NY (1-800-456-8369) or send an email to wtcgrantprogram@empire.state. ny.us. To download the grant application and supporting information, please visit https://www.nylovesbiz.com/wtc/sfarg-program.htm.
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