BACK TO BUSINESS GRANT PROCESS QUESTIONED, 43NORTH REQUESTED TO RELEASE RECIPIENTS

December 9, 2020

Colleen Heidinger
President
43North
1 West Seneca Street, Floor 24
Buffalo, NY 14203 

Dear President Heidinger,

It is my understanding that 43North has awarded and rejected a number of businesses that applied for Back to Business grant program, which utilizes $20,000,000 in CARES Act funding. During recent budget discussions held by the Erie County Legislature, Legislators from the Democratic Majority Caucus suggested knowledge of the recipients.  To date, our office has not been able to secure a list of awardees.

Our office has received numerous calls and emails from business owners who were not selected to receive funding, as well as individuals who were wondering about the criteria and the process.

Ultimately, it is our office’s responsibility to track the expenditure of these public tax dollars. It is vital that this process is completely transparent.

Please provide to our office a list of awardees and the amounts that they have been awarded.  This will assist what will eventually be a thorough review by our office. We are also concerned that Democratic Legislators are apparently aware of “winners and losers” and no one else within Erie County Government has been notified by 43North. Please provide our office the requested information by the end of business on Thursday, December 10th, 2020.

Sincerely,

Gregory Gach
Deputy Comptroller

For a PDF of the letter, CLICK HERE