Mayor Galime announced that grant funding is now available for qualifying woman- and minority-owned businesses with five or fewer employees that are located within the City of Utica.  Applications for the grant are available on the City website (www.cityofutica.com) or by contacting Jack Spaeth, Economic Development Specialist at jspaeth@cityofutica.com or (315) 792-0181. The deadline for submissions is April 3, 2026.

A total of $150,000 has been set aside for this program out of the City’s 2025-2026 allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.  Grants range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $15,000 and can be used for the purchase of capital assets such as machinery, equipment inventory, or for working capital or soft costs.  Awardees may also avail themselves of technical assistance through the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center.

Federal regulations require that either the business owner qualify as low- to moderate-income at time of award or at least one job be created that is available to persons of low- to moderate-income.

Of this program, Mayor Galime stated “I am thrilled to offer a second round of MWBE grant funding to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the City.”  The Mayor continued to state that at the conclusion of this year’s MWBE program, we are equally excited to roll out a legacy business grant program this July, which will be designed to be a catalyst of strength and rebirth for the people and businesses that have supported our community for decades.