Access to Funding

The PCD offers a range of funding opportunities for new and growing businesses. These are constantly changing, so visit www.hamiltonpcd.org/grants or reach out to us to learn about what we currently have available. We also have information on sources of funding including loans, other types of grants, and economic incentive programs.

Catalog of Resources

Links to resources from thinking about starting a business to running or expanding a current business. (Coming soon)

Mentorship

We have numerous local people who provide support and guidance to local business owners in specific areas of expertise. They are available for consultation free of charge. (See our advisory board below)

Newsletter

Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter to keep in the know about all things business-related. 

Small Business Development Centers

The mission of an SBDC is to promote growth, innovation, productivity and revenue for small businesses through improvements to their business administration. They provide free 1:1 counseling and training to support local small business enterprises. There are no fees for direct counseling, and many of their seminars are available without charge. Our local SBDC partners include:

• Mohawk Valley SBDC

• Onondaga SBDC

James (Jay) Berry, Jr., CPA

Owner James J. Barry CPA

James J. Barry, Jr., CPA was formed in 1994 in the state of New York to perform traditional accounting/consulting/tax services to outside companies, organizations, individuals and municipalities. Jay is a 1977 graduate of St. Bonaventure University (BBA-Accounting) and is a Certified Public Accountant within New York state.

Prior to forming his CPA firm, he was employed by the international CPA firm of Deloitte & Touche, as well as the regional CPA firm Mitchell, Wiggins & Co. Jay is a member of the NYS Society of CPAs as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

We are looking for someone experienced in restaurant and food safety. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested or know someone who might be.

We are looking for someone experienced in marketing and branding. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested or know someone who might be.

We are looking for someone experienced in restaurant and food safety. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested or know someone who might be.

David Craine

Executive, NBT Bank

David Craine has been a resident of Hamilton since 1981. Having graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in History and later from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a master’s degree in business, David joined in 1979 what was then a family business known as Craine and Mirabito Insurance. David has remained with the agency through several mergers and acquisitions and today the insurance agency is a wholly owned subsidiary business of NBT Bank known as NBT Bank Insurance Agency.

David concentrates in the sale and management of property casualty insurance policies. David is a licensed insurance agent and broker and has earned the designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). David has extensive experience in the insuring of business entities, public entities and not for profit agencies. David has also taught CPCU classes at several regional insurance companies.

Having worked in the insurance industry for 41 years, David has also been involved heavily with his community in such endeavors as the Hamilton Rotary Club having served as club president for three terms, Hamilton Club having served as club president for two terms, past chair of the Village of Hamilton Zoning Board, American Red Cross, First Baptist Church of Hamilton, Earlville Opera House and Arts at the Palace. David also served SOMAC ambulance corps as and EMT for seven years.

Melissa Zomro Davis

Business Advisor, Onondaga Small Business Development Center

Melissa is a business advisor for the Onondaga Small Business Development Center and operates a satellite office in Cazenovia offering her counseling services for start-up and existing small businesses through a wide range of networks in Western Madison County as well as having office hours in Onondaga County at Onondaga Community College.

Melissa’s initial professional experience was in education, but she followed her passion to be a small business owner in the equine industry. In 2006, she became a client of the SBDC to begin the journey of starting her own business. Over the years of being a business owner, she expanded the business from one brick and mortar establishment to adding a mobile unit that traveled up and down the east coast. During her business years, she continued her education by obtaining her P&C license to sell equine insurance as an extension of her tack shop in CNY. During her time as a small business owner she gained a great deal of experience in every aspect of the day-to-day operations, sales, and marketing of owning a company.

As an active member of her community, Melissa has served as the Chair of the Board of Cazenovia Community Preschool, is a current member of the Chamber of Cazenovia representing the SBDC, has been a member of the Board of the Friends of Lorenzo, and is a former member of the HCBD in Cazenovia, while she was a business owner on Main Street. Recently, Melissa was named to the Top 40 Under 40 in CNY.

Jason P. Martin

 Retail Services Officer, Community Bank N.A.

Jason’s role with Community Bank N.A. is that of small business liaison and loan officer. He is responsible for the recruitment and retention of business clients within the Village of Hamilton and with our neighbors in surrounding communities. He is happy to be able to advise, assist, and provide cash management, account management, lending, and consumer retail sales solutions for any business banking needs.

Kathleen Smith

Branch Manager, Community Bank N.A. 

Kathleen has been in banking for 38 years, and is currently the Branch Manager for the Community Bank in Hamilton.She is able to lend through the home equity, consumer or Small Business Lending. She has her NMLS and works with the local mortgage lender for any other needs.