The New York State Tourism Return-to-Work Grant Program, created to incentivize employment growth by providing financial assistance to businesses in the tourism industry that suffered economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has grants of $5,000 up to $200,000 to incentivize employment growth for businesses in the tourism industry.
Qualifying tourism businesses will be eligible for grants of up to $5,000 per net new full-time employee, and $2,500 per net new part-time employee hired.
To receive a full benefit, employers will have to maintain employment increases over six months.
Grants will be limited to for-profit or nonprofit businesses servicing the public and engaged in a tourism-related fields including accommodations, arts, entertainment, sightseeing, transportation, tour operators, convention and visitor groups, or other businesses that, in ESD’s sole discretion, qualify as businesses in the tourism industry.
Further, to qualify for grant assistance, all eligible applicants must:
• Increase their average employment between Jan. 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022 by at least 2 net new full-time equivalent jobs;
• Continue to be in operation as of the date of application.
• Have experienced economic harm resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by a year-to-year decrease of at least 15 percent of gross receipts or gross wages between 2019 and 2020 (Applicants must demonstrate a year-to-year loss of at least 15 percent; however Applicants with 25 percent or greater loss will receive priority).
• Be in substantial compliance and attest to being in substantial compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and requirements.
• Not owe past due federal, state or local taxes, unless making payments pursuant to and complying with an approved binding agreement with the appropriate taxing authority.
• Not be currently participating in the NYC Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit program or the Empire State Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit Program;
• Not be more than 5 percent owned, directly or indirectly, by a publicly traded company.
• Be open to and/or service the public.
A total of $100 million in funding has been allocated to award grantees for increasing their average employment between Jan. 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022, as compared to a baseline employment period between Oct. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021, officials said.
For seasonal businesses, an alternative baseline average employment period will be established.
For more information, visit esd.ny.gov/tourism-return-work-grant-program.