When ANCA closed out our two-year Center for Pandemic Response (ANCA CPR) in 2023, the two-year program had provided, among other benefits, the retention of over 2,600 local jobs and over $120,000 in capital to support businesses and nonprofits with projects that help them build stability and resilience. Understanding there was a continued need to help businesses identify options for loans, grants and other funding opportunities, ANCA sought out new solutions in collaboration with our regional partners.
In May 2023, with generous donor support, we hired ANCA’s first Grant Advocate and Coordinator, Jon Ignatowski, to increase constituents’ understanding of and access to the wide array of grant resources available to them. Writing and submitting grant proposals can be complicated and time-consuming for business owners who are busy taking care of day-to-day operations and other business goals.
In one year, Jon assisted with the submission of twelve grant applications that, in total, account for over $3 million in requested funds to support North
Country projects that would directly benefit a total of 68 businesses. To date, with some responses still pending, these efforts have helped secure over $560,000 in grants for four small businesses and organizations.
With ANCA’s support, Raymond Higby of Complete Care Chiropractic in Lowville, N.Y. was awarded a $9,285 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund half of the cost of purchasing and installing an energy-efficient air-source heat pump system. The new heating and cooling system will not only provide a comfortable space for Raymond’s clients, but also save his business money on energy bills. It’s estimated the new system will reduce costs by $1,030 per year and emissions by 7,739 lbs of CO2e per year.
In May 2024, ANCA received a $137,000 USDA grant to help more businesses apply for REAP funding. Over the next three years, we aim to help 36 small businesses access grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Please contact Jon to learn more about this unique opportunity at [email protected].
* To view the ANCA CPR 2023 Final Report, visit bit.ly/ANCACPR23.