HUDSON – The Hudson Business Coalition (HBCi) has announced the launch of Hudson Bonds, a way to support the city’s shops, restaurants, galleries, entertainment venues and more. Most have been shuttered or heavily affected by the Covid-19 shutdown, are struggling to survive until the PAUSE is lifted, and are then expected to confront new challenges.

Hudson Bonds support local small businesses in two ways. They provide much-needed grants to help businesses make ends meet during the shutdown and create a base of sales for the businesses once it is safe to resume.

A donor purchases a Bond for two times the face amount. Half of the purchase is a tax-deductible contribution to the Hudson Business Coalition’s Small Business Relief Fund. The other half (in the form of a Hudson Bond) is theirs to spend at participating businesses. This helps to create a base of sales as businesses find their footing again. Read more…

GERMANTOWN — The Germantown Town Board and its Economic Development Advisory Committee have awarded a total of 11 grants to local businesses through the Germantown Business Recovery grant program.

This effort was launched on April 24, with fiscal sponsorship and administrative support from Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), to raise additional resources for businesses located in Germantown that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

A volunteer committee reviewed and rated each application based on these criteria. The businesses that received grants are spread out across Germantown and met the grant making criteria, including, being an independently owned small business located in the town, 20 or fewer full-time employees, less than $1,500,000 in annual sales, adversely impacted by COVID-19, and in need of funds to continue to retain and pay their employees, and/or stay current on rent, and cover other fixed costs related to their operations. Read more…

HUDSON — Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) announced on April 24 the award of 92 grants to local businesses through the Columbia County Business Continuity Fund. This joint effort with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Hudson Business Coalition was launched March 30 to raise new resources in support of small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.

Generous individuals, foundations and businesses made this fund possible.

The businesses receiving grants are spread out across the county and met key grant making criteria, including being located in city, town or village centers, open to the public and reliant on foot traffic, and having fewer than 10 full-time employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue. Read more…