ALBANY – The state’s third round of regional council economic development grants was announced Wednesday with the Mid-Hudson Valley nailing down a total of $59.6 million in funding. (Complete list of grants: http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/assets/documents/2013REDCBooklet.pdf
The City of Kingston won over $1.5 million for its Kingston Connectivity and related projects. The money will be used to implement a rail trail network that will be designed and constructed to provide safe, universally accessible alternatives for bicyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized transportation.
Mayor Shayne Gallo said the funds will come in handy.
“This grant will allow us to make these necessary infrastructure improvements, which will enhance the quality of life in our community, which is a draw for economic development,” the mayor said.
Gallo credited city Economic Development Director Gregory Swanzy with crafting the package.
“This is remarkable; it’s a catalyst project for Kingston in creating not only a rail trail hub, but just a much more livable community in terms of how you get around,” Swanzy said.
A grant of $1 million will be applied to build the Taylor Biomass plant in Montgomery. The project includes building a large-scale waste-to-energy facility that will generate clean energy, using a renewable and unlimited feedstock, with minimal emissions.
Orange County Chamber of Commerce President John D’Ambrosio was pleased with the grant.
“We have been strong supporters of [company owner] Jim Taylor and that project since its inception and we are really thrilled that this million is going to that project,” D’Ambrosio said.
Another $1 million will be awarded to establish a national center for additive manufacturing (3-D printing) at SUNY New Paltz. The college has built a foundation for serving as the future hub for this technology, and this support will help provide the college with state-of-the-art 3D printing equipment and the physical plant necessary to fully implement its vision.
A $500,000 grant will support infrastructure improvements at Castagna Commerce Park – a planned mixed use multi-phased development in Pawling that will consist of 167,000 square feet of medical office and office space, 200,000 square feet of retail space, and 400 units of senior housing and assisted living facilities.
A total of $1 million in funding will go for a multimodal transportation center in the City of White Plains. The White Plains Multimodal Transportation Center Redevelopment Project will provide an enhanced multi-modal transportation center that serves all modes of travel and maximizes the economic development potential of the area.