Services provided in Jeff-Lewis – St. Lawrence Counties (and others) area: loans of $500 to $25,000, all businesses eligible; cooperates with USDA on intermediary relending program; SBA 504 program; entrepreneurial assistance center.

RC&D’s mission is to provide local leadership required for developing and carrying out a program of action for the orderly conservation, improvement, development, and wise use of natural resources. In doing so, they improve the economic opportunities of the people within the Black River - St. Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Project area.

The Canadian-U.S. Business Consulting Service helps companies in both countries to capitalize on emerging economic opportunities in North America.  Potential clients receive a free initial meeting and proposal specifying the purpose, activities, time and cost estimates for the project.

CI-TEC provides certain kinds of technical assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly (though not exclusively) to small and medium sized manufacturers in New York’s six North Country counties.  CI-TEC works primarily either with manufacturing companies who wish to modernize their technologies or companies whose products or services are technology-based.  Direct services are: Manufacturing, Telecommunications, and Innovation assistance.

To assist, attract and enhance industrial and economic development within Lewis County by creating jobs and maintaining stable economic growth.  We assist by business planning, issuance of bonds (federally tax-exempt or taxable to provide low cost financing) Sales Tax Exemption, Mortgage Recording Tax Exemptions, and Real Estate Tax Abatements, site selection, start-up assistance and other technical assistance.

To serve the common interest of the North County by providing technical assistance and infrastructure which will enhance the economic vitality of the region.

Financing for established businesses, mostly non-retail, technical assistance for exporting, ombudsman assistance for settling disputes with state agencies, assistance with selling to state and federal governments, solid waste recycling, employee training for manufacturing businesses.

Lewis County Employment and Training provide the following services: Customized Employee Testing & Assessment, On-the-Job Training (OJT) Wage Reimbursement, Labor Market Trend Analysis, Labor Law Research, Business Tax Credit Information, Business Lending Library, Training Grant Development

In New York, business owners using a Business Tax Registration other than their own first and last name are required to obtain a business license. The Lewis County clerk's office should be contacted to obtain this license.  This general license grants the business owner the privilege of legally operating a business within the county.

Lewis County Empire Zone (EZ) – Businesses that locate or expand within the EDZ may be certified to qualify for state and local tax incentives and reduced utility rates.

Service provided in Lewis County.  This department provides resource information, infrastructure availability, agency contracts, environmental, and permits assistance.  The office maintains current socio/economic and census data, and site & infrastructure data. Planning, land use, and development permit technical assistance is primarily given from this department.

New York State is committed to the protection of the state's environmental quality and natural resources, consistent with sound economic development.

New York State agencies have many programs that affect small businesses and a wealth of information that can help the owners and managers of small businesses make environmentally sound decisions.

The web inks go to eight DEC small business information pages. Each of these pages contains a complete, printable list of publications, forms and other information that will help New York's small businesses conserve time, energy and resources. The items currently available on DEC's website are linked to their electronic versions. Every item on the list includes a contact person and mailing address to obtain printed copies.

The New York State Department of labor helps businesses in

Training your Workforce, Looking for Workers, Workforce Data,  Unemployment Insurance for Employers, Tax Incentives,
& Other Services

New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC) is a privately owned financial organization funded by banks across New York State to provide long-term financing to help small businesses across the state grow and prosper. NYBDC works closely with state and local economic development officials, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local financial institutions.

The SBDC provides management and technical assistance to start-up small business firms in NY State.  These resources in turn, are utilized to counsel and train small businesses in resolving organizational, financial, marketing, technical and other problems they may encounter.  The SBDC specializes in providing direct one-to-one counseling on small business problems, business planning and offers training and instructional programs targeted to the needs and interest of small businesspersons.

Two revolving loan funds that provide fixed asset and working capital financing to small business owners.  Provide loans up to $225,000.  The loan must be sponsored by the Lewis County Industrial Agency.

SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors. SCORE was founded in 1964. Provides free business counseling, Hosts low-cost workshops.

A non-regulatory state agency to assist local governments in protecting and enhancing the Tug Hill region’s natural resources, communities, and economy.

Federal Government loan and grant programs.  Single-family subsidized mortgage loans, guaranteed business loans, water and wastewater loans and grants to municipalities, community facilities loans and grants, multi-family apartment loans, various rural business enterprise grants, IRP’s.

This agency provides descriptions of EDA’s different investment programs: Public Works and Economic Development, Economic Adjustment Assistance, Research and National Technical Assistance, Local Technical Assistance, Planning Program, University Center Economic Development, and Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms. www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/Programs.xml

U.S. Immigration laws, policies, and procedures.

Technical and financial assistance to start a small business.  The SBA 504 Loan Program is a fixed-asset economic development program designed to promote growth and job creation in small businesses. It provides fixed-rate, long-term second mortgage financing.