Niagara County Business Assistance Workshop

SANBORN—Niagara County economic officials will host a Business Assistance Workshop next week focusing on economic strategies for small businesses, including instructions in how to apply for a 100-percent federally-backed loan of up to $35,000 that may aid some local businesses with cash flow.

“The Niagara County Center for Economic Development is hosting a workshop that will outline resources and programs available to current or prospective Niagara County businesses at the direction of the Niagara County Legislature’s Economic Development Committee,” said Legislator Andrea McNulty, D-North Tonawanda, vice chairwoman of that committee.

“The committee is urging the Center for Economic Development to take some real initiative in helping our businesses cope with the stress the U.S. economy has been through, and we’re adamant about them pointing businesses toward resources that can aid them in navigating this economy.”

McNulty said Economic Development Commissioner Sam Ferraro and his team had devised a workshop that will run from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on April 15.

The workshop will include officials from a number of agencies, including a new partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration that officials hope will give local businesses a boost.

“The Center for Economic Development has invited the U.S. Small Business Administration to be a presenter at this workshop and they will have information on the recently announced series of initiatives as part of the Federal Stimulus package aimed at aiding small business,” she said.

“The Small Business Administration and the Center for Economic Development will explain in detail how businesses can apply for 100% federally-backed loans of up to $35,000, which could help businesses with their liquidity right now.”

McNulty also noted that cost-cutting measures would be discussed. “There will also be detailed information on taxes and tax incentives, particularly with regard to sales taxes and property taxes,” she said.

She added that programs aimed at reducing electricity costs, long championed by the Economic Development Committee, would also be on the agenda, as would grants, buildings and land currently available for sale and lease, and financing strategies.

McNulty said that the Center for Economic Development plans to hold several workshops in coming months, with outreach to all regions of the county, but that county leaders were keenly aware of the impact of the national economic slowdown on the city of Niagara Falls.

“As part of the county’s ongoing commitment to helping the economic climate in the city of Niagara Falls, the Niagara County Center for Economic Development has elected to hold this workshop at Niagara Falls City Hall,” McNulty said. City Hall is located at 745 Main St.

Individuals who wish to register for the conference or find out additional information may do so by calling the Niagara County Center for Economic Development at (716) 278-8760.

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