CenterState CEO Announces $150K Small Business Stabilization Fund

Posted On
April 30, 2020

Image
Kbbb Ny Stabilizationfund With Ceo Logo

(SYRACUSE) – National Small Business Month kicks off with the launch of a $150,000 small business stabilization fund provided by the KeyBank Business Boost & Build Program powered by JumpStart.

Administered by CenterState CEO’s Up Start program, grants are available to small businesses affected by COVID-19 in Onondaga County. The fund is part of a plan to deploy $500,000 in relief funds to small business communities throughout Upstate New York in response to the economic hardship caused by the pandemic.

“All of us in Central New York have been touched by the COVID-19 crisis and our small businesses have been hit especially hard,” said Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President. “KeyBank and our partners at JumpStart are committed to helping our community move forward with crucial funding, assistance and hope.”

This fund is intended to fill identified gaps in available emergency relief funding, while also providing wrap-around services in the form of technical assistance and one-on-one business consultation. These resources will be provided by the KeyBank Business Boost & Build C.U.S.E. Collaborative partners, including Up Start, the South Side Innovation Center, WiSE Women’s Business Center and Upstate Minority Economic Alliance.

“In our position as community connectors and advocates, CenterState CEO will help ensure that our small businesses have access to resources that can help them during this unprecedented economic crisis”, said Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “For years, KeyBank and JumpStart have been important partners in helping build our neighborhood businesses.  We are grateful for this investment and their continued support.”

Eligible minority and women owned businesses in the Health and Wellness, Service, Hospitality, and Lifestyle industries can receive grants of up to $5,000 per business, while funds last, and ideally prioritized for those who could not get or were not eligible for emergency relief funding through the SBA.

View the Applciation
Eligibility Requirement & Guidelines
Program FAQs

CENTERSTATE CEO NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
Elle Hanna
Director of Communications & Media Relations
[email protected]

JUMPSTART NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
Vicki McDonald
Media Relations
(216) 502-6395 (cell)
[email protected]

KEYBANK NEWS MEDIA CONTACT
Matthew Pitts
Communications Manager – Northeast Ohio, Western & Central New York
(716) 270-4243 (work)
(716) 903-8468 (cell)
[email protected]

ABOUT CENTERSTATE CEO

CenterState CEO is an independent and forward thinking economic development strategist, business leadership organization and chamber of commerce; dedicated to the success of its members and the prosperity of the region. We serve as an advocate and resource for smart business, catalyze and facilitate regional growth, and promote community prosperity through results-driven partnerships, planning and problem-solving. www.centerstateceo.com

ABOUT JUMPSTART INC.
JumpStart unlocks the full potential of diverse and ambitious entrepreneurs to economically transform entire communities. For more information, visit www.jumpstartinc.org and follow @JumpStartInc on Twitter.

ABOUT KEYBANK
KeyBank's roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $156.2 billion at March 31, 2020. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and more than 1,400 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.


###

Document
Document

Other
CEO News

Image
Rob Simpson 2026 Economic Champions
CEO News | 10/14/2026

Read Rob Simpson's 2026 Economic Champions Remarks

CenterState CEO President Rob M. Simpson delivered the following remarks at the 2026 Economic Champions Celebration.

Image
2026 Economic Champions Event
CEO News | 10/14/2026

CenterState CEO Celebrates More Than 300 Economic Champions

CenterState CEO’s annual Economic Champions Celebration recognized the collective contributions of 318 companies and organizations to the growth and vibrancy of the Central New York economy

Image
A9207348
CEO News | 10/07/2026

VIP Development Associates, Inc. Will Lead Planning for the Redevelopment of Long-Vacant Syracuse Property for State’s First ON-RAMP Center

VIP will oversee planning for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site, with the ON-RAMP training facility serving as an anchor tenant.

Image
CenterState Signal Graphic
CEO News | 09/30/2026

CenterState Signal: The Planning Trap

Understanding Central New York's current economic picture by analyzing national job data and local factors.

Image
DOL unemployment screen
CEO News | 09/30/2026

NYSDOL to Upgrade Unemployment System

An upcoming change to the New York State Department of Labor's (NYSDOL) Unemployment Insurance system. NYSDOL is retiring its 50-year-old unemployment processing system and replacing it with a modern platform that will include smartphone…

Image
cybersecurity stock inage
CEO News | 09/29/2026

Future-Proof Your Organization Against Cybersecurity  and AI Challenges

Hear real stories and solutions from industry experts on rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats, accelerating technology changes and the growing impact of artificial intelligence at the Future-Proof Your Business, Cybersecurity, Technology…

Image
Take the 2027 Ecnomic Forecast Survey
CEO News | 09/29/2026

Take the 2027 Economic Forecast Survey

Each year, CenterState CEO compiles its Economic Forecast for Central New York based on feedback and strategic insight collected from area business and community leaders. We want to hear your perspectives regarding the current year's…

Image
Constellation - Community Visionary Award Honoree
CEO News | 09/25/2026

Constellation to be Recognized with 2026 Community Visionary Award

CenterState CEO is proud to announce Constellation as the 2026 recipient of its Community Visionary Award.

Image
IIH 1 Year Celebration
CEO News | 09/17/2026

INSPYRE Innovation Hub’s First Year Fuels Growth, Connections and Entrepreneurial Success

In its first year, CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub has become a cornerstone of Central New York’s innovation ecosystem.