NYSEG and RG&E Announce Grants Available to Business Customers Impacted by COVID-19
Eligible businesses can receive up to $50,000 in grant assistance
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — March 2, 2022 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) today announced funding available for business customers through the companies’ COVID-19 Economic Relief Program. Eligible businesses with costs related to COVID-19 after March 15, 2020 can apply for up to $50,000 in grant assistance. The assistance is designed to retain businesses and jobs during these difficult times by promoting the economic recovery of New York businesses that incurred costs due to the pandemic.
“NYSEG and RG&E are committed to putting customers first and caring for the communities we serve,” said Joe Rizzo, manager of economic development for NYSEG and RG&E. “As part of that commitment, we’re proud to launch this important program to assist in the economic recovery across the state. Private sector businesses are the backbone to creating strong and sustainable communities, and this effort by NYSEG and RG&E will help support job creation and retention.”
Large business customers can apply for up to $50,000 of assistance and small business customers can apply for up to $15,000 of assistance. Applicants must meet specific billing criteria available on the websites: lookupstateny.com/covidrelief/NYSEG and lookupstateny.com/covidrelief/RG&E
Examples of costs incurred include, but are not limited to:
- Workforce training and development
- Retention and recruitment costs
- Electric and/or heating inspections by contractors
- Enhanced energy efficiency assistance
- Additional electric infrastructure projects
All applicants must be NYSEG or RG&E electric service customers or leaseholders of a landlord who is a NYSEG or RG&E electric service customer. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Customers need not be current on their electric bills in to receive an award; however, in such cases, the awarded funding will be applied first to any customer overdue balances and any remaining amount, if any, will be sent to the customer. As part of the application process, the customer must certify that the request for funding is associated with COVID-19 and submit documentation of the expenditures, including vendor invoices and/or payment receipts.
Businesses with questions about the program or about their company’s eligibility can call 855.846.2982 or email NYSEGRGECovidRelief@icf.com for more information.
| About NYSEG: New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1852, NYSEG operates approximately 35,000 miles of electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than 40% of upstate New York. It also operates more than 8,150 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 20 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 894,000 electricity customers and 266,000 natural gas customers. For more information, visit www.nyseg.com.
About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com.
About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021 and 2022 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2022, AVANGRID ranked second within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2021 for the third consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com. |