Today, United States Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program will award the Development Authority of the North Country a $28,100 Rural Business Enterprise Grant. Specifically, the Development Authority of the North Country will use this investment for the new and already-successful Cape Winery in Cape Vincent, NY to expand and add a 480 sq. ft room for the fermentation process in wine production.
“With this USDA grant, the Development Authority of the North Country will invest in Cape Winery, a growing local business,” said Senator Schumer. “The new fermentation room will help Cape Winery expand and capitalize on New York’s growing wine tourism industry and spur local economic development. I applaud the USDA and look forward to tasting the fruits of Cape Winery’s labor.”
“The North Country is home to beautiful vineyards producing high quality wine,” Senator Gillibrand said. “When we invest in local businesses like Cape Winery, we can help strengthen the local economy and support job creation, while helping the business grow, and showcase some of the very best that New York State has to offer.”
The Development Authority of the North Country is a New York State public authority serving the common interests of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties by providing technical services and infrastructure, which enhance economic opportunities in the region and promote the health and well-being of its communities. The Development Authority works with its municipal partners through shared service solutions utilizing advanced technology and fostering municipal cooperation to achieve cost-effective services for the region.
The Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses. Small and emerging private businesses are those that will employ 50 or fewer new employees and have less than $1 million in projected gross revenues. Rural public entities (towns, communities, State agencies, and authorities), Indian tribes and rural private non-profit corporations are eligible to apply for funding. The funding is part of the USDA Rural Development annual budget.