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Naturally Lewis Awards $60,000 in Funding to Two Lewis County Businesses

March 24, 2025

LEWIS COUNTY, NY – Naturally Lewis, Inc., on behalf of the Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC), is proud to announce that two local businesses have been awarded a total of $60,000 in funding:

  • Rags & Rivers (Lyons Falls, NY) was awarded $30,000 for machinery to expand their services, increase efficiency, and support community needs more effectively.
  • New Life Construction (Port Leyden, NY) was awarded $30,000 for equipment and machinery to increase capacity and efficiency.

Launch Lewis County is made possible through a grant from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant Program; Launch Lewis County is a partnership between the LCDC and Lewis County. Based on NYS requirements, Launch Lewis County is a microenterprise grant program for low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs or for those creating a new, full-time position.

“As we are working to develop an entrepreneur-led economy, programs like Launch Lewis County are driving us forward,” says Brittany Davis, Executive Director of Naturally Lewis, Inc. “Our partnership with Lewis County to administer the Launch Lewis County program has allowed small businesses and entrepreneurs to start and expand products and services, which in turn creates and retains jobs, creates unique experiences for residents and tourists, and ultimately enhances the tax base of Lewis County.”

The full slate of businesses that have received 2025 Launch Lewis County funding include Hartley’s Meat Market (Port Leyden), Coffee & Clay Cafe (Port Leyden), Rags & Rivers (Lyons Falls), and New Life Construction (Port Leyden).

In order to qualify for the Launch Lewis County Microenterprise Grant Program, businesses:

  • Must have a small business idea or a desire to innovate their existing small business
  • Must be considered low-to-moderate income based on 2023 Income Tax Returns OR create a new full-time job that will be made available to low-to-moderate income persons
  • Must contribute at least 10% of total project costs
  • Must complete their project by December 2025

We are currently seeking additional applicants for the Launch Lewis County Grant Program with
$145,000 in funding remaining available. For more information on the program and application process visit naturallylewis.com/support/funding-opportunities.