By Denise Richardson, Business Beat, May 8, 2015

WANTED: Ag-business projects in Otsego County.

The Otsego County IDA is seeking applications in its first round of a recently awarded agricultural micro-enterprise grants program, according to a media release.

The goal of the program is to encourage development of new, and help in the expansion of existing, agricultural micro-enterprise businesses within the county, the release from the county Industrial Development Agency said.

Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered by 5 p.m. May 27 to the IDA offices at 189 Main St., Suite 500, Oneonta, NY, 13820.

The Agricultural Micro-enterprise Program has established a $170,000 fund, making grants of up to $35,000 available to assist small businesses (those with five or fewer employees including owners) finance costs of starting or expanding, the release said.

Grant funds, which will require a 10 percent match, may be used to offset a portion of the working capital, inventory and machinery/equipment expenses of the business project, the release said.

Acquisition, construction or renovation expenses will not be eligible for reimbursement but will be considered, as appropriate, for inclusion as matching expenses, officials said. Recipient businesses will be required to participate in and successfully complete specified entrepreneurial training.

For more information, send email with “Ag Micro Application” in the subject line to Elizabeth Horvath at the IDA at horvath@otsegoida.com or call (607) 267-4010. Official said email inquiries are preferred.

Published by The Daily Star on May 8, 2015.