Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino joined with Councilwoman Michele Johnson, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca and Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato to officially award the first $1 million dollars of grant monies available to local businesses and not for profits through the Oyster Bay Forward Program. Oyster Bay Forward offers up to $5,000 to small businesses and non-profits financially impacted by the COVID pandemic, with a total of $4.5 million available.

“After a year-plus long pandemic and now facing an economic recession, small businesses need help and we’re pleased to offer these Federal funds to boost small business owners and not for profits,” said Supervisor Saladino. “There is still funding available, and we encourage all business owners and non-profits to apply for funding to help them recover losses from the pandemic and keep their operations moving forward in the Town of Oyster Bay.”

The ‘Oyster Bay Forward’ Grant Program is open to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees as well as sole proprietors. Additional eligibility criteria:

• • Applicant must be the principal (i.e. majority owner);
  • Entity must be a for-profit business, or 501c3 or 501c19 non-profit organization, with annual revenue between $35,000 and $5 million;
  • At least 60 percent of non-profit expenses must have been programmatic in 2019;
  • Applicant must be in operation at the time of application and have been in operation prior to January 1, 2021;
  • Must have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees;
  • Certification and demonstration of economic hardship due to pandemic; and
  • Not be in default or arrears on past or current federal and state financing or funding programs.

“Grant monies can be utilized for a variety of purposes, including expenses that helped mitigate hardships caused by the pandemic,” said Councilwoman Vicki Walsh. “These could include the purchase of inventory and supplies, rent payments, utilities, property taxes, lease or purchase of equipment, as well as operating and emergency maintenance. We encourage all businesses and non-profits to sign up today.”

Applications are processed through the National Development Council (NDC) – who was retained by the Town to administer the Oyster Bay Forward Grant Program. Additional eligibility criteria, including required documents, as well as applications for eligible business and non-profit organizations are available at TOBForward.com, where interested parties can also view an informative webinar further detailing the application process.