The deadline is less than two weeks away for small businesses to apply for New York's Seed Funding grant program.

The state program is meant to help businesses succeed following challenges they faced due to the pandemic.

State leaders and members of Long Island's chambers of commerce announced that New York set aside $200 million for local businesses that suffered financially from COVID-related challenges.

Eric Alexander, of Vision Long Island, says the grant program is a chance to get resources for people who were starting up a business and then dealt with COVID regulations.

"They are dealing with inflation, they are dealing with staff shortages, they are dealing with supply chain issues and challenges they didn't expect," Alexander says.

Hafeez Raja opened "Peri Peri Guys" in Hicksville nine months into the pandemic. He says he never imagined his dream of moving to America and starting his own business would have him dealing with supply chain issues, staff shortages and inflation.

"Things are not so great, but we've got to keep our chin up and keep going," Raja says.

Belinda Wakins, president of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, says these small businesses need support from elected officials because small businesses are "what makes our economy grow."

Individual businesses could receive anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.

The application deadline is Sept. 30.