• The Community Economic Development Program has made $40,000 available to the 2025 Small Things Big Impacts Fund.
• Businesses and organizations with creative proposals will receive a one-time grants funding 50% of project costs, ranging from $500 to $2,500, rounded to the nearest hundred. 
• All projects must be completed within 6 months. Project is deemed complete by submitting a final report with receipts that demonstrate total project cost and photos. 
• Projects that have already been completed or started are not eligible for funding.  
• If awarded, funding will be provided up front after the contract is signed.  
• Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis, or until 2025 funding is dispersed (see timeline for quarterly deadlines to submit) 

Businesses or 501c3 Non-profit Organizations in Lewis County, NY must demonstrate a need for assistance with a small-scale project that increases their capacity or enhances their visibility. Eligible project categories include: 

• Increased Visibility for Businesses: 
  • Applicants must demonstrate a creative and visually appealing approach to increasing visibility with a lasting impact on their growth. 
  • Examples: Branding assets (logos), signage, website development, etc. 
    • Note: Advertising is not an eligible expense. 
• Events and Festivals Growth: 
  • Applicants must showcase a creative and visually impactful strategy to support the growth of their event or festival, leading to long-term benefits for attendance, participation, or brand recognition.
  • Examples: Creation of event branding (logos or visual identity), website creation or improvement, professional content creation (e.g., photography or videography) to promote the event effectively.
  • Note: Advertising expenses are not eligible for funding under this category.
• Professional or Workforce Development: 
  • Applicants must demonstrate a need for a training, certification or continuing education for their business/organization to grow or diversify.  
• Equipment: 
  • Applicants must demonstrate how equipment will support business/organization growth or expansion.

An independent Community Economic Development Programs Committee reviews Small Things Big Impacts applications and makes recommendations to the Lewis County Development Corporation Board for approval based on the following criteria:  

• Applicant must be a Lewis County Business or Non-profit Organization (501c3) 
• Project request clearly identifies project costs with third party estimates for justification.   
• Project must demonstrate an innovative approach to enhancing visibility or capacity.  
• Project must demonstrate the impact the project will have on their business/organization growth. 
• Project must demonstrate long-term value or impact of the investment. 
• Project must demonstrate a positive impact to the local community and the economy. 
• Project must comply with all local zoning and codes ordinances, if applicable (ex. Sign permits) 
• Project should demonstrate a commitment to supporting local businesses whenever feasible. 
• Project must demonstrate 50% match of funding request. 
• Project must be completed within 6 months of receiving funding