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Empire's team has spent long hours developing programs to assist local governments, businesses and not-for-profits in identifying federal and state stimulus grants.
Call us for more information at 516-663-5335 |
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Pennies from Heaven... Billions from Washington
At no time in the history of the United States has the federal government made so many dollars available to profit and non-profit organizations. The federal stimulus package is unquestionably one of the most significant economic incentive programs in American history.
The big question is whether the region's businesses and local governments will take advantage of the stimulus package and comply with its many requirements. Empire Government Strategies has become one of the leading consulting firms matching applicants with the dollars and making the complex process easier.
Empire's Chair, former Assemblyman Arthur "Jerry" Kremer, stated "the good news is that federal and state funds will be flowing to the states for the next three to four years. Any aggressive business owner or local elected official will be rewarded if they are willing to follow the guidelines and work with professionals who understand the program."
Many prospective applicants for stimulus funds ask the same question. Is it too late to apply? The answer is a resounding "No!" Many of the stimulus programs are still being crafted and announcements are on a daily basis. Once the dollars are allocated to a federal or state agency, it takes many months to create forms and procedures for doling out the moneys. Programs are announced at unscheduled times and with little or no notice to the general public.
"It takes a team of top notch individuals to monitor new and pending programs. It is a process that requires 24/7 attention in behalf of applicants and 24/7 follow up at every stage of the application process," according to Empire Vice President Anthony Figliola.
Empire has assigned a large staff of former government specialists to help our clients get through the application process and hold their hands as the paperwork goes through the federal or state pipeline.
"Any government or private business that fails to take advantage of a group that is well versed in federal and state funding, is missing out on an important opportunity to leverage serious public dollars," said Kremer. |
 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
ESDC Awards $65 Million in Grants
There has been much debate in Albany over the effectiveness of the state's economic development programs. The fate of programs such as the Empire Zone (EZ) and Industrial Development Agency (IDA) weighs in the balance. Businesses that are thinking about expanding in the immediate future should act now.
In April the state legislature passed the Empire Zone reforms, which accelerates the program's expiration date to June 30, 2010. This means that businesses that are thinking about expanding in New York and are considering the EZ program should do so before the opportunity to collect valuable tax credits and refunds is gone. Legislators and senior economic development officials have been discussing the idea of creating a similar program that is easier to understand and has set performance guidelines. There is no telling when and if that will take place, given the turmoil in Albany.
"It is not all bad news," according to Anthony Figliola, Empire's Vice President. "While the economy remains stagnant, the state continues to offer many different types of loan and grant programs to stimulate the recovery."
Empire State Development Corp, the state's economic development agency, announced that over the last three months it awarded over $65 million in grants to private businesses, municipal governments, and non-profit corporations. These grants will invest in infrastructure projects, energy efficiency, job creation and training, research and development, costal restoration, transportation and downtown revitalization.
In addition to the $65 million in funds handed out last month, Empire State Development Corp. recently announced the creation of the Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund and the Downstate Revitalization Fund. The program, which allocates $120 million for Upstate and $35 million for Downstate are in the form of loans and grants to local governments, private businesses, and non-profit corporations. There are three funding tracks: business development, infrastructure investment and downtown revitalization.
"This is a great economic development tool to grow your business or revitalize your main street, " said Jerry Kremer, Empire's Chairman.
Empire Government Strategies is well versed in this and other economic development programs. Please contact Anthony Figliola, for further information. |
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Phone: 516-663-5335 | |
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