Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced the launch of the Small Business Sewer Infrastructure Financial Assistance Pilot Program (SIFA). The start of the grant program coincides with National Small Business Month.
Funded through the Suffolk County one-quarter-percent Drinking Water Protection Program, SIFA will provide up to $15,000 of financial assistance to small business owners with 25 employees or less, who own the property or are a qualified tenant, at the location where the business operates.
The business must be located within an existing Suffolk County Sewer District. The program is reimbursement-based and will assist with offsetting the design, purchase, and/or installation costs incurred to connect the business location to the Sewer District facilities.
Completed applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received and are subject to grant funding availability.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns data in 2022, 89% (44,914) of business establishments in the county had fewer than 20 employees.
“Sewer installation and infrastructure continue to pose a significant challenge to our small business owners and Suffolk County’s regional economy,” said Romaine. “This pilot program will not only assist our small businesses with the financial support they need to connect to sewers, but will also help us in our fight to protect our ground and surface waters from pollution.”
“Our water quality, like our small businesses, plays a vital part in making Suffolk a thriving and desirable place to live. Assisting businesses with sewer installation and connection is good for the environment and for our economy,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst).
For more information and an application, click here, email sifa@suffolkcountyny.gov or call 631-853-4800.