CATSKILL — Greene County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director James Hannahs said all local existing and startup small Greene County businesses that employ five or fewer workers are eligible for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

Grant funds may be spent exclusively on approved purposes including expansionary projects involving inventory, technology, logistics and equipment and operating uses. Construction expenses do not qualify.

Hannahs said $255,000 of the funds will be enough to provide grants to 17 businesses. A minimum of 50% of the grant funds will be awarded to startup businesses, which are defined under the program as being in business fewer than six months at the time of application.

Businesses that qualify must demonstrate they have created at least one job, which they made available to individuals from low-to-moderate income households. “Made available” means the position must require no special skills and only a high school diploma. The position must also be advertised fairly.

“The whole premise of having this program is job creation,” Hannahs told the Greene County Legislature at its May meeting. He added that grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Whoever has eligible expenses and shows a qualified job creation, brings in all the required documentation and exhibits them will be awarded the grant,” Hannahs said. “Those are not small tasks.”

Applying for the program in January, the Greene County Economic Development Corporation obtained a total of $300,000 in funding for the program by applying for the MULTI — Money for Utilities, Logistics, Technology and Inventory — grants, which are awarded through the New York State Office of Community Renewal.

Businesses interested in applying for MULTI Grant funds will be required to participate in entrepreneurial training to receive funding. Applicants are encouraged to take part of these programs prior to submission of full application.

Training sessions will take place over Zoom. Applicants without access to zoom are instructed to contact the Greene County Economic Development Corporation at 518-719-3290 to make accommodations, according to the Economic Development Corporation’s website.