Small Business Building Improvement Grant Program

Application Process Now Closed

Applications for Round I of the BIG Program will be accepted as outlined below:

Step 1: Intake and Eligibility Forms will be accepted from January 11, 2023 until 11:59PM on February 10, 2023.
Upon determination of eligibility, applicants will receive a hyperlink to Step 2.
Step 2: Project Questionnaires and Required Documents will be accepted from January 17, 2023 until 11:59PM on February 17, 2023.

This link and form will no longer be active beginning Saturday, Feb. 11th and the program will no longer be accepting new potential applicants: Step 1: Intake and Eligibility Form

Program Resources

Program Guidelines | Download & Print

Jan. 18 Webinar #1: Program Overview Webinar Recording

Jan. 18 Webinar #1: Program Overview Presentation Slides

Jan. 25 Webinar #2 BIG Application Process Webinar Recording

Jan. 25 Webinar #2: BIG Application Process Presentation Slides

Informational Flyer | Download & Print

Application Documents

Step 1: Intake and Eligibility Form

PREVIEW | Step #2: Project Questionnaire and Required Documents – Major Project Grants of $5,000 – $25,000

PREVIEW | Step #2: Project Questionnaire and Required Documents – Microgrants of $1,500 – $4,999

Project Description Form

Property Owner Declaration and Consent Form

Business Plan Template (Courtesy of Community Loan Fund of the Greater Capital Region)

More About The Program

The BIG Program provides access to critical funding necessary for aspiring entrepreneurs and new businesses to get off the ground in the City of Albany and for existing Albany businesses to grow.

The BIG Program has been made possible by the City of Albany and its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding process. The program was designed by Capitalize Albany Corporation with support from the City of Albany in accordance with the objectives identified by the City’s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force.

The program is open to eligible small businesses as well as not-for-profits in the childcare, arts/cultural, tourism, and hospitality industries located in the City of Albany.

The BIG Program will make available flexible, recoverable, reimbursable grants to eligible applicants with qualified projects to assist with costs associated with capital investments. Projects may include but are not limited to interior and exterior renovations preparing a commercial space for an eligible use, and/or machinery and equipment purchases.

Applicants making major capital investments in their businesses and seeking grants from $5,000 up to $25,000 will benefit from a streamlined application process and assistance from grant administration staff in completion of their applications. In an effort to provide small businesses with the most efficient process possible, applicants seeking smaller “microgrants” from $1,500 to $4,999 will have even more limited application and monitoring requirements. Grant awards will be issued as a reimbursement upon a project’s completion.

A few examples of eligible projects and expenditures include electronic point-of-sale systems or other electronics for business operations, kitchen appliances, production and packaging equipment, manufacturing or production equipment; HVAC, fire suppression, costs of bringing building up to current code, including Americans with Disabilities Act requirements; interior and exterior lighting, and structural and cosmetic façade improvements.

Please reference the program guidelines or contact us for further details or questions.

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