$138,000 in Grants to

14 Utica Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   June 26, 2026

UTICA, NY – Mayor Michael Galime, together with the City of Utica’s Department of Urban and Economic Development, today awarded $138,000 in grant funding to 14 local minority- and women-owned microenterprises.

This funding was made available to minority- and women-owned businesses with five or fewer employees located within the City of Utica. The Utica Microenterprise Grant Program supports MWBE microenterprises with ten or fewer employees, and is funded through the City’s 2025-2026 allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $10,000 and can be used for the purchase of capital assets such as machinery, equipment, and inventory, as well as for working capital or other soft costs.

As part of the program, the owner of each recipient business is entitled — but not required — to complete a free training program offered by MVCC’s thINCubator. The curriculum includes:

• Developing a business plan

• Legal issues

• Taxes, recordkeeping, and accounting

• Financing

• Marketing and advertising

• Employee issues

Federal regulations require that either the business owner qualify as low- to moderate-income at the time of award or that at least one job be created that is available to persons of low- to moderate-income.

Mayor Galime stated: “These investments in our minority- and women-owned microenterprises underscore our administration’s commitment to inclusive economic growth right here in Utica. By providing these grants along with access to valuable training resources, we are empowering local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, create jobs, and strengthen the vitality of our neighborhoods. Congratulations to all of the recipients — I am confident they will make the most of this opportunity and help build an even brighter future for our city.”

The 14 businesses awarded grants are:

• Gina’s Cemetery Service

• G & J Nail Spa

• Soul One 12

• Shop RTB

• Royal Co.

• Catalina Spanish Cuisine

• LAH’s Automotive

• Griffin’s Pub

• Uncs on the Grill

• Papa’s Grill Mama’s Table

• UGC Fabrication

• JMR Visuals

• Little Sunset Daycare

• The Detailing Boyz

For more information, contact Jack Spaeth at 315-792-0195 or jspaeth@cityofutica.com.