Since its launch in May, SEEC’s Resiliency Fund has awarded $54,000 in loans or grants to 18 Schoharie County businesses impacted by COVID19.
Awards have been earmarked to implement unique business improvements or adaptations that will help sustain enterprises through the seasons ahead.
A variety of small businesses and organizations have been awarded from cider-making to virtual story-telling and equipment purchases to renovating spaces that will satisfy new safety protocols. The latest awardees are:
Pictured left to right: Cathie Kirk, Co-Owner She-Shed Services; Jim Becker SEEC Founding Member and Chair of the Resiliency Fund, President of MIDTEL; and Jeannette Hall, Co-Owner She-Shed Services.
She-Shed Services
Co-owners Cathie Kirk and Jeannette Hall will use their award to upgrade sewing equipment and purchase equipment for commissioned work created in their backyard She-Shed in Howes Cave.
Pictured left to right: Jim Becker SEEC Founding Member and Chair of the Resiliency Fund, President of MIDTEL; Terry Pavoldi, Director of Middleburgh Library; and Trish Bergan, SEEC Associate and Acting Mayor of Middleburgh.
Middleburgh Library
The Middleburgh Library will use its award to help cover the additional cost of COVID related safety upgrades required to reopen the building to the public.
Skidmore Brown LLC
Skidmore Brown’s Dan and Lisa Meaney will use their awards to make building improvements at their 549 and 551 Main Street, Cobleskill properties.
Pictured left to right: Tom Putnam, SEEC Chairman and SEEC Founding Member, Executive Chairman of Fenimore Asset Management; Jim Becker SEEC Founding Member and Chair of the Resiliency Fund, President of MIDTEL Lisa Meaney Skidmore Brown LLC building owner representative; and Eric Stein, SEEC Treasurer and Founding Member, President of Cobleskill Regional Hospital.
At the former Coby’s Café at 549 Main Street, they’ll use the Resiliency Funds to repaint the first-floor facade and to replace broken and outdated interior lighting. The SUNY Cobleskill run restaurant closed permanently because of COVID.
At 551 Main Street, the Meaneys made significant electrical upgrades and other interior improvements to open a new eatery—efforts now put on hold. Resiliency Funds will be used to replace the windows on the first-floor façade, the brick entrance will be repaired and new railings added. To enhance Main Street and attract another tenant, the entire first floor facade will be painted.
Pictured left to right: Trish Bergan, SEEC Associate and Acting Mayor of Middleburgh; Kiersten Lynch, Gobbler’s Knob staff member; Jim Becker SEEC Founding Member , Chair of the Resiliency Fund and President of MIDTEL Georgia Van Dyke, President of Van Dyke Enterprises and Owner of Gobblers Knob; and Peter Johnson, SEEC Secretary and Founding Member. Gobbler’s Knob was not eligible for reopening until Phase 4 of NY Forward, missing nearly three months of revenue. As such, cash flow was severely hindered for this seasonal business. Resiliency Funds were used for working capital to cover new safety installations and business expenses.
Gobbler’s Knob Gobbler’s Knob was not eligible for reopening until Phase 4 of NY Forward, which meant the business lost nearly three months of revenue. Resiliency Funds were used for working capital to cover new safety installations and business expenses.
Pictured left to right: Tom Putnam, SEEC Chairman and SEEC Founding Member, Executive Chairman of Fenimore Asset Management; Brendon Becker, Treasurer, Cobleskill Agricultural Society; Jim Becker SEEC Founding Member and Chair of the Resiliency Fund, President of MIDTEL; and Eric Stein, SEEC Treasurer and Founding Member, President of Cobleskill Regional Hospital.
Cobleskill Agricultural Society The Cobleskill Agricultural Society (CAS) is the owner and manager of the Sunshine Fairgrounds. In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, its impact on community health and wellbeing, the CAS board of directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Schoharie County Fair until August 10-15, 2021. Working capital is necessary to sustain operations at this rural institution while New York State and Schoharie County Department of Health mandates remain restrictive for gatherings.
A complete list of awardees is available at Seecny.org/funding-tools/.
SEEC’s Enterprise Investment Committee is reviewing applications until funds are exhausted. Businesses may apply for either a $5,000 loan/grant combination, or a $2,500 grant.
A loan of up to $5,000 will be offered at zero percent interest, with a six-month grace period and a 36-month repayment period. Timely repayments of the loan portion will result in the remaining $2,500 being forgiven, and essentially considered a grant. Businesses in need can apply for grants up to $2,500.
The SEEC Resiliency Fund was originally established allocating $75,000 in private donations from the SEEC Board of Directors and has since raised other monies through private donations.
