Microenterprise Effect
Granting Small Business Growth
Before receiving a microenterprise grant, MaryBeth Moran of Broadalbin ran a small dog grooming operation by herself in a rented space. After her receipt of a microenterprise grant for $20,000 in 2024, she was able to expand her business. The revenue from “My Paw Place” skyrocketed from $50,000 to $160,000 in a year’s time and created jobs for four additional people.
Pursuing her goal to open a doggy hotel, Moran purchased an old bank building that had been vacant for a couple of decades and was becoming an eyesore in the community.
Using her own funds, she redid the plumbing, heating and flooring and gave the place a paint job. She hired two full-time and two part-time staff, doubling her business’ grooming capacity and enabling her to offer boarding services. “Without the grant, I wouldn’t have been able to buy supplies and equipment,” she said.
Moran is just one of 125 small business owners in Fulton County whose operations have been bolstered by the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth’s (FCCRG) robust pursuit of microenterprise grant funds.
Over the past decade, the FCCRG has helped local businesses with grant funding totaling $3,305,053 spread across 10 municipalities in the county.
“Fulton County has been a high-volume user for us for a number of years and really has gotten it down to a science and does it really, really well,” said Scott LaMountain, program director for the New York State Community Development Block Grant Program (NYS CDBG) at NYS Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR).
“A tremendous amount of our country’s economic growth and the economic engine for many of our communities are our small businesses.”
Funding The Future
Funds for the NYS CDBG come from the federal government through the NYS HCR to Fulton County, and the FCCRG administers the grants, which can be up to $35,000 for businesses of five employees or less. In 2021, the FCCRG was also able to help other businesses, mainly those in the hospitality industry that had been hit hard by COVID restrictions, obtain grants from $15,000 to $84,000. These funds were available from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Grants can play a critical role in the success of a small business. “Twenty-five thousand dollars can often make the difference between surviving or not surviving, growing or not growing,” LaMountain said.
Marilyn Ponce, Senior Project Manager for NYS CDGB points out that these types of grant programs for smaller businesses are uncommon, making it difficult for businesses looking for working capital to start. “We’re giving them access to financing that they would not find otherwise, especially if their only option is to incur debt, and that can be really challenging. We provide that gap in financing to help them start up.”
Grants from the CDGB program can be used for capital assets such as real estate, buildings, machinery and equipment as well as working capital. They cannot be used for construction, rehabilitation or renovation, payroll or for passive investment.
LaMountain said that the grants help businesses move from conception to viability to growth at which point they can move up to other funding sources available to larger businesses. “We’ve seen folks moving from microenterprise—moving beyond that category—and moving up,” he said. “We’ve seen firsthand that trajectory.”
Fueling Growth And Stability In Fulton County
Microenterprise grants were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic and after. “Given the last five years, COVID and the economic situation, it becomes more important than ever to have a flexible source that folks can use to stabilize and expand,” LaMountain said.
Molly Zullo, owner of ADK Blend in Northville, received a grant of $20,000 for her business, which serves up smoothie bowls, protein shakes, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, muffins, coffee, avocado dip, and other café-style options. “The grant really helped remove an additional financial barrier that would have made it impossible during COVID,” said Zullo, who opened her business in November 2021. “It helped me cover startup costs.” These included supplies, an ice machine, salad prep station and commercial blenders.
The grant money freed up what she had saved so that she could use that to renovate her building. “The grant helped cover startup things that were a little pricey that I would have had to take out a loan for,” she said. “I didn’t have to take on any risky debt. That gave me good confidence and support that I would be able to be a startup successful and able to grow. That helped give me the momentum to turn my idea into a reality.” Zullo’s two daughters work in the restaurant with her in addition to six other part-time employees.
Marissa Miller, owner of Marissa Mae’s Confections in Johnstown, has a similar story. She has seen her business triple since creating it in 2022. In its second year, she received a grant of $25,000. “Receiving the grant helped me open, whereas without it, there’s no way I would have been able to open on time,” Miller said. “I was able to buy all of my equipment—my refrigerators, freezers, ovens, display case, supplies and things like that,” she said.
For Jennifer Kuhn, owner of Y-Not Dog Cookies in Mayfield, the CARES Act microenterprise grant of $50,745 she received in 2022 made the difference between being able to expand or not. She was operating her healthy dog treat business, a memorial to her dog Tony, from her home.
“I pretty much took over my entire house,” she said. Grant money afforded her the purchase of an oven, commercial-size mixer, dehydrators, stainless steel tables, a refrigerator and a freezer to furnish a small structure that her husband built on their property. “Having a separate building on our property has enabled me to have so much more space for storage and stock,” Kuhn said. “It has definitely allowed me the capability to double my productivity. There’s no way I could have done what I have done without that grant.
I wouldn’t have been able to grow the business.” Each year, Kuhn has expanded the number of wholesale store customers and expects that to grow. “I have room, I have equipment—every aspect of the grant changed my life,” she said.
Kenneth Adamczyk, Economic Development Specialist at the FCCRG, understands the microenterprise grant program’s impact. “For startups and small businesses, the grant is pretty amazing for moving them forward,” he said.
“Moving forward” includes job creation, one of the main goals of the NYS CDBG along with stimulating economic growth and improving communities. “It is a low to moderate income job producer. It’s not so much built as a business grant,” Adamczyk said.
Dan Lentini, co-owner of Sage & Cedar Café in Gloversville that opened in April 2025, said that the FCCRG was “probably the largest asset” the business has had.
The center helped the couple obtain a $30,000 grant that they used largely for supplies for the farm-to-table establishment that serves bowls, sandwiches, wraps, ramen, soups and other fresh entrees. “The grant made it possible,” Lentini said.
Besides he and his wife, the business employs four others, much needed staff for a rapidly growing enterprise. “Business is kicking,” he said. “It has been an amazing response from the community.”
Providing Tools For Success
The grant program is designed to set small business owners up for success, so it includes an entrepreneurial training requirement. In order to apply for a grant, a business owner is required to take a 12-hour course given in four modules.
The course provides attendees with a comprehensive look at what it takes to run a small business profitably and effectively. The classes cover legal and employee issues, marketing, branding, e-commerce, social media, recordkeeping, finances, accounting, taxes, and how to develop a business plan. “We bring in specialists like lawyers, NYS Department of Labor advisors, accountants, and business advisors,” Adamczyk said.
“The classes help them grow their business.” From August 2019 through June 2025, 397 businesspeople from Fulton, Montgomery and Greene counties graduated from the FCCRG’s Microenterprise Training Program.
Ready to Build the Future in Fulton County?
This year’s Initiatives Guide is more than a report—it’s a launchpad. Whether you’re here to expand your enterprise or start something entirely new, Fulton County is ready to support your next big move.
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