The St. Lawrence County Legislature has allocated $2.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act Funds to help residents, small businesses and non-profits.

Residents can apply to receive financial assistance to earn a CDL-A license or become a childcare provider.  

Small businesses and non-profits can apply for funding for employee training, infrastructure improvement, tourism marketing and to offset the negative economic impact of the pandemic.

To apply or for more info visit slcida.com/arpa. The programs are administered by the

St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency

Here are details about each funding opportunity for residents:

• Get your Class-A license. Funding is available for St. Lawrence County residents to train to obtain their Commercial Class A (CDL-A) driving license, a gateway to many careers. Job opportunities include: road construction/highway maintenance, agriculture, logging and timber industries, residential and commercial construction, municipalities, and entrepreneurial opportunities for individuals to start their own businesses.

• Become a childcare provider. Funding is available for a  St. Lawrence County Family Child Care Training Program that helps train residents to set up quality childcare facilities. Workshops and training in Family Childcare Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Bookkeeping and Marketing will be offered by the Small Business Development Center. Also included is enrollment in a 3-credit SUNY Canton Early Childhood online course.

Here are details about each funding opportunity for small businesses and non-profits:

• Employee training. The ARPA Existing Worker Training Reimbursement Program provides up to $7,500 to employers to help offset costs associated with upgrading skills of existing employees. Funding may be used for equipment, software, maintenance, certifications, OSHA training and more.

• Infrastructure improvement. Up to $50,000 for workspace layout and efficiency improvements, ventilation equipment, and COVID-19 prevention. Improvements to vacant properties, renovation,  remediation of environmental contaminants, demolition, and vacant lot cleanup & conversion to affordable housing may qualify. Minimum 25% match is required

• Tourism marketing. Lodging, restaurant, retail and recreation businesses, along with  attractions, are eligible to apply for both cooperative and independent marketing opportunities. The goal is to leverage their marketing reach and provide professional branding and marketing assets for ongoing promotion of their business, community, or organization.

• Economic impact awards. This program provides small businesses and nonprofits that experienced negative economic impacts up to $10,000 in assistance. Applicants will be required to identify, describe and document harm experienced by their business or nonprofit operation. Applicants will be asked to explain how the funds will offset the harm experienced.