MICROENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE 2017
PROGRAM LAUNCHES
Could you use $25,000 to help you build or expand your business in the City of Geneva?
The City of Geneva is excited to announce the 2017 Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP) is once
again launching on January 30th, which could potentially provide you with grant funding you need for
growing your business venture.
What does Microenterprise mean? If you have a business idea, or currently have a business that you would
like to expand, which has (5) five or fewer employees, you could be eligible for MAP funding. Grants will be
available for up to (7) interested parties in the City of Geneva.
There are several requirements for the program. The business owner must contribute 10% of the project
cost in cash, and applicants must complete an approved business ownership or entrepreneurial program.
Prior to the submission of an application, participants must also attend a one-on-one business mentoring
session with the City’s small business counselor to develop a business plan. Applications are due by March
28, 2017 and are available on the first floor of City Hall in the ONI office and for information in links below.
The City of Geneva Microenterprise Assistance Program is a Federally-funded program administered by the
City of Geneva’s Office of Neighborhood Initiatives. Its primary objective is to assist in the establishment
and expansion of small businesses and the creation of new jobs.
For more information, please call (315) 828-6585, stop by the ONI office on the first floor at City Hall at 47
Castle Street, or email Collette Barnard at [email protected].
Please see our flier for more information.
Our application and guidelines are also available.
November 2 Local Development Corporation
Agenda
Welcome Wicked Water
Wicked Water Open for Business
The Geneva BID, along with several community members, welcomed another business to Downtown
Geneva with a ceremonial ribbon cutting this past Saturday. Wicked Water, located at 78 Castle Street,
hosted its grand opening in conjunction with the ribbon cutting.
Owned and operated by the trio of Megan Hall, Alex Frederickson and Camila Tahim, Wicked Water is
Geneva’s first Urban Farm Winery. While producing small batch premium wine, they also offer a tasting
room for New York State wineries. Only New York-grown and produced wines are sold in their wine shop,
by the glass and in tasting flights. The concept of Wicked Water is to engage the customers in wines from
not just the Finger Lakes, but from all over the state. Wines are chosen by Hall, who is a Viticulturist by
trade, as well as Frederickson and Tahim, who are the businesses winemakers. Chosen wines rotate
monthly to keep variety at the forefront. In addition to sampling and selling a wide range of NYS wines,
they have a 2014 Riesling of their own and will soon have both a Red and Rosé on hand.
The space is tastefully decorated with farmhouse tables and wine barrels, along with couches and a coffee
table at the rear of the building. The vibe exudes comfort and relaxation where customers are able to sit
and enjoy a bottle of wine while listening to live entertainment. The owners also encourage the BYOF
(Bring Your Own Food) idea, urging customers to dine in their establishment with food from area
restaurants. “Geneva is incredibly lucky to have three talented entrepreneurs in Megan, Alex and Camila.
Their business is exciting and unique, and is a puzzle piece we’ve been missing,” said Amanda Airth,
Executive Director of the Geneva BID.
Wicked Water was the recipient of the City’s 2016 Local Development Corporation Race for Space Grant.
Hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Also check them out on Facebook,
and the web at http://www.wickedwater.vin.
The office for the Geneva Business Improvement District is located within the historic One Franklin Square
building in downtown Geneva. Ribbon Cuttings are one of the key promotional efforts offered by the
Geneva BID to provide exposure and awareness for new businesses in the Downtown District.
DRI: Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Community Encouraged to Participate in
Geneva’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
The City of Geneva invites community members to participate in a series of different engagement
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opportunities on October 27 and 28 for Geneva’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (Geneva’s DRI).
Bergmann Associates, the lead consultant for Geneva’s DRI, have crafted a robust schedule including focus
groups; storefront chats; a community workshop; downtown site visits; and the second Local Planning
Committee meeting.
“The Geneva DRI planning process builds on the comprehensive plan’s foundation and we are excited to
provide a variety of meaningful ways community members can contribute to the initiative,” stated Sage
Gerling, Director of Neighborhood Initiatives.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, a
comprehensive approach to transform communities ripe for development into vibrant neighborhoods
where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live and work. Downtown Geneva was selected as
the winner of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative in the Finger Lakes region.
Over the last decade, Geneva has emerged as a major employment center, boasting over 200 firms and
nearly 1,500 jobs in the central business district alone. Geneva’s historic walkable downtown is poised to
become a vibrant retail, dining, cultural and entertainment destination for the burgeoning workforce and
for students at the three local colleges. Under Geneva’s DRI, the City will focus on the rehabilitation of key
buildings; diversification of housing and retail options; access to healthy food; and building
entrepreneurship in the downtown area.
The following is a list of engagement opportunities:
Public Meeting
Thursday, December 15th
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Ramada on the Lakefront
41 Lakefront Drive
Focus Groups
Wednesday, December 14th
5:30-7:00 pm
Multiple Locations (see below)
Please RSVP to Sage to participate in one of the focus groups at [email protected] or
315-828-6585.
1. Civic Amenities and Greenspace (at Geneva Housing Authority,
41 Lewis St., Conf. Room A)
2. Economic Opportunity (at Geneva Housing Authority, 41 Lewis
St., Conf. Room B)
3. Arts & Culture (at City Hall, 47 Castle St., Conf. Room)
4. Finance/Private Investment (at City Hall, 47 Castle St., Team
Room)
5. Connectivity/Transportation (at Finger Lakes Community
College – FLCC, 63 Pulteney St., Classroom 127)
DRI Storefront Hours
Tuesday, Dec. 6
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Noon to 7 PM
Wednesday, Dec. 14th Noon to 5 PM
Thursday, Dec. 15th 9 AM to Noon
Location: 425 Exchange Street
Come down to the storefront to learn more about or share your ideas for the Downtown Revitalization
Initiative. A representative from the consultant team
or City staff will be there to chat.
Follow progress at:
https://www.ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/finger-lakes-geneva
Offer feedback, share your ideas online at:
https://www.ny.gov/content/downtown-revitalization-initiative
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, a
comprehensive approach to transform communities ripe for development into vibrant neighborhoods
where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live and work. Downtown Geneva was selected as
the winner of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative in the Finger Lakes region.
Over the last decade, Geneva has emerged as a major employment center, boasting over 200 firms and
nearly 1,500 jobs in the central business district alone. Geneva’s historic walkable downtown is poised to
become a vibrant retail, dining, cultural and entertainment destination for the burgeoning workforce and
for students at the three local colleges. Under Geneva’s DRI, the City will focus on the rehabilitation of key
buildings; diversification of housing and retail options; access to healthy food; and building
entrepreneurship in the downtown area.
Participate in Community Workshops:
All interested members of the public are invited to attend the first interactive workshop to learn more
about the DRI process and project outcomes. There will be also be an interactive exercise where
participants will be asked to share their ideas on projects and initiatives in the downtown area in small
group settings.
First Workshop Details:
October 27th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Hobart & William Smith Colleges
300 Pulteney Street, Scandling Center, Vandervort Room
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(Additional Community Workshops are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 29 and Jan. 25 .)
Sign up to Participate in a Focus Group:
Groups of up to 15 will meet on six different topics for hour and a half sessions at City Hall (47 Castle
Street) on October 27th (times listed below). Contact Sage Gerling ([email protected] or
315-828-6585) to sign up.
(Additional focus group sessions are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 29th and Jan. 25th).
10/27 10:30 AM – NOON SESSIONS
FOCUS GROUP 1: Civic Amenities and Greenspace: A core element of urban vibrancy is the appropriate
design and placement of parks and civic amenities. This group will review current plans for civic
infrastructure and identify opportunities to accelerate investment in parks, greenspace, and other civic
amenities.
FOCUS GROUP 2: Arts and Culture: Performing and visual art and history are critical to our status as a
community of choice for residents and businesses alike. This team will evaluate Geneva’s current and
potential arts and cultural assets and make recommendations for investments to reinforce these elements.
10/27 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM SESSIONS
FOCUS GROUP 3: Connectivity/Transportation: The connection of downtown with the lakefront is a
linchpin of our proposal for DRI investment. This group will review existing recommendations for making
this connection, as well as enhancing the streetscape in the downtown district and make recommendations
on accelerating investment in these elements.
FOCUS GROUP 4: Finance: It is widely accepted that the $10 million state investment is a small part of
what is needed for a comprehensive revitalization effort. This team will identify other opportunities for
investment, including other grant opportunities, private sector infusion, traditional financing, and
leveraging DRI funds as revolving loan opportunities.
10/27 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM SESSIONS
FOCUS GROUP 5: Private Investment: The greatest opportunity to leverage additional resources from the
DRI allocation is investment in private development projects. This team will develop priorities for infill and
adaptive use opportunities, and discuss potential criteria for DRI investment in private sector projects
FOCUS GROUP 6: Economic Opportunity: Of critical importance to the City in this effort is the assurance
that revitalization does not occur in such a manner as to displace longstanding, economically
disadvantaged populations. This group will identify opportunities for workforce development, employment,
education, and other support elements toward enhancing the economic status of those in poverty, and
identifying inclusive housing, access to fresh, healthy food, and other elements critical to supporting
impoverished residents.
Talk to the Consultant Team or City Staff at the Storefront:
Come to the DRI storefront (425 Exchange Street) to chat one on one with one of the consultant team
members or City staff to learn more about the DRI and discuss your ideas.
425 EXCHANGE STOREFRONT HOURS:
October 27th: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
October 28th: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
(Additional evening storefront hours will be available from November through January. Times will be posted
soon at the storefront or by contacting Sage Gerling at 315-828-6585 or [email protected].)
Attend and listen to the second Local Planning Committee’s
(LPC) meetings:
The Local Planning Committee will hold their second meeting to review and provide feedback on
information and comments obtained during the previous day’s focus group sessions, stakeholder meetings
and public workshop.
Workshop Details:
October 28th, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Geneva Housing Authority Conference Room
41 Lewis Street
Lunch Provided.
(Additional LPC meetings are tentatively scheduled for November 30th; January 5th; January 26th; and
February 23rd.)
Submit Your Ideas, Questions and Comments:
At any time during the DRI planning process, you can submit your ideas, questions, and comments to Sage
Gerling ([email protected] or 315-828-6585).
Follow progress at:
http://cityofgenevany.com/downtown-revitalization-initiative/
Or
https://www.ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/finger-lakes-geneva
Downtown Revitalization Initiative Video- Oct 4
2016
Looking to Start a Business in Geneva?
City Manager’s Blog: DRI Update
October 5 2016 LDC Agenda
Inspire Community Leadership Conference and
Dinner
Downtown Revitalization Initiative Kick-Off
Meeting Notice
KICK-OFF DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
MEETING NOTICE
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the $100 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, a
comprehensive approach to transform ten communities ripe for development into vibrant neighborhoods
where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live and work. The City of Geneva was chosen as
one of the communities ripe for development.
The first advisory committee meeting is scheduled for:
October 4, 2016
6:00 PM
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station
Jordan Hall
630 W. North Street Geneva, NY.
(Building located on the north side of W. North Street with parking around the
building.)
The meeting will cover the project process, scope, and timeline including future community engagement
opportunities. Community members are encouraged to come listen to the committee meeting and to
participate in future opportunities to provide engaged input later this fall.
Advisory Committee Members
Advisory committee members come from different sectors including downtown residents, business and
building owners, education, finance, non-profit, advocacy, cultural, the City and the County. Co-chairs of
the committee are Mayor Alcock and Tom Macinski (representing the Finger Lakes Regional Economic
Development Council).