Community Economic Development Program
Funded Through a Host-Community Agreement with Number Three Wind
About the Community Economic Development Program
The Community Economic Development Program was created in 2022 through a Host Community Agreement between the Lewis County Development Corporation and Number Three Wind. Currently, the Program will invest $150,000 in funding on an annual basis.
Since the inception of the Community Economic Development Program, additional donors have included:
- Lewis County Board of Legislators - Vacant Property Revitalization Fund
- HLH Living Trust - Events & Festivals Focus Area within the Small Things, Big Impacts Fund
Mission Statement
The Community Economic Development Program is the mechanism for investing in initiatives that build a great quality of life, sustainable employment and collaborative plans that make Lewis County a community to thrive at work and at home. In viewing our communities as intrinsically interconnected, this county-wide fund is used to grow businesses, enhance individual communities and strengthen our local economy through thoughtful risk-taking, building community partnerships and making wise investments. The fund will leverage the knowledge and expertise of our businesses and communities to invest in projects that make Lewis County a great place to live, work, build business and play for current and future generations.
2026 Funding Opportunities
Building Business Fund
Fast Facts:
- Eligible: Businesses in Lewis County, New York
- Focus Areas: Projects that build business must show expansion or diversification, and overall benefit to the community and promote economic development through growing business.
- Forgivable Loans: $10,000 to $50,000 with 50% match of total project cost.
- Applications Open: On a rolling basis until funds are distributed
Funding provided through the Community Economic Development Program.
Business Retention Fund
Fast Facts:
- Eligible: Existing Businesses in Lewis County, New York
- Focus Areas: Existing businesses with unforeseen expenses related to natural disasters, acts of God, or mandates that may affect the businesses’ ability to retain employees or operations.
- Forgivable Loans: Up to $50,000 with 50% match of total project cost.
- Applications Open: On a rolling basis until funds are distributed
Funding provided through the Community Economic Development Program and Lewis County, New York American Rescue Plan Act Funds.
Community Connections Fund
Fast Facts:
- Eligible: Non-profit Organizations, schools or municipalities in Lewis County, New York
- Focus areas: Capacity building initiatives or execution of strategic plan or project plan.
- Forgivable Loans: $5,000 to $15,000 with no match requirement
- Applications Open: On a rolling basis until funds are distributed
Funding provided through the Community Economic Development Program.
Launch Lewis County
Fast Facts:
- Eligible: Startup businesses in Lewis County, New York
- Focus areas: Low-to-moderate income startup entrepreneurs or businesses that will create a full-time job to a low-to-moderate income individual
- Grant Awards: $5,000 to $30,000 with a 10% match requirements
- Applications Open: On a rolling basis until funds are distributed
Funding provided through the NYS Office of Homes & Community Renewal, in Partnership with Lewis County.
Small Things, Big Impacts Fund
Fast Facts:
- Eligible: Businesses and Non-profit Organizations in Lewis County, NY.
- Focus areas: Small-scale projects that increase capacity or enhance visibility.
- Grant Awards: $500 to $2,500 per grant with 50% match of total project cost.
- Applications Open: On a rolling basis until funds are distributed
Funding provided through the Community Economic Development Program.
Events and Festivals Fund
Fast Facts:
- Events and Festivals Funding is available through the Small Things Big Impacts Program
- Eligible: Businesses and Non-profit Organizations in Lewis County, NY.
- Focus areas: Creative and visually impactful strategy to support the growth of their event or festival
- Grant Awards: $500 to $2,500 per grant with 50% match of total project cost.
- Applications Open: On a rolling basis until funds are distributed;
Funding provided through the Community Economic Development Program.
Student Pitch Competition
Fast Facts:
- Eligible: High school students in Lewis County, New York
- Applications Open: TBD
- Applications Close: TBD
Funding provided through the Community Economic Development Program.
Vacant Property Revitalization Fund
Fast Facts:
- Eligible: Commercial property owners in Lewis County, NY.
- Focus areas: Projects must target vacant and potentially unsafe or blighted properties within downtown areas to turn them into usable spaces for business development and other opportunities.
- Reimbursement Grant: up to $100,000 grant with 50% match of total project costs.
- Applications Open: On a rolling basis until funds are distributed
Funding provided by Lewis County, New York American Rescue Plan Act Funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While each opportunities has its own program criteria, these funding opportunities are open and accessible to all businesses and organizations operating in Lewis County, New York.
As a Naturally Lewis Member, you recieve free Quick Consults! Schedule a Quick Consult to discuss funding opportunities you may be interested in, and the Naturally Lewis Team will provide the tools, resources, and guidance to submit a successful funding application.
The Lewis County Development Corporation is, a Local Development Corporation, is a not-for-profit countywide organization dedicated to utilizing and creating assets for economic and community development.
The mission of the Lewis County Development Corporation is to drive economic prosperity in Lewis County through innovative property development, strategic funding initiatives for business development and transparent community collaboration.
The Lewis County Development Corporation is an affiliate organization of Naturally Lewis, Inc. The services of the Development Corporation are administered by Naturally Lewis, Inc.