Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday unveiled more than $700 million in economic and community development funding to support a diverse array of projects throughout New York.
The $709 million in grants will support initiatives large and small, all identified and pitched by the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils.
The largest award in the Capital Region goes to the Troy Riverfront Farmers Market. A $1.5 million grant will help the market move into a permanent home at One Monument Square, the site of the former City Hall.
Manager Monica Kurzejeski:
“This is the great opportunity for the market to kind of set up shop and be a part of the downtown more than it already is, and figure out the future and plan for the future so that we can expand into the space and further promote the region.”
Awards in Schenectady will continue the city’s downtown revitalization. The city received $400,000 to make improvements to Liberty Park, and the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority and Prime Companies received $1.2 million to continue development on lower State Street. Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy….
“We’re in a position to have these buildings rehabilitated, modernized, and put into a more productive use that will compliment the development that’s already occurred in Schenectady,” said McCarthy.
In Saratoga County, the Village of Corinth received $600,000 for sewer upgrades. Village clerk-treasurer Nicole Colson says the infrastructure problems facing her community are not unique.
“Infrastructure is important but it is also extraordinarily expensive. Dealing with prevailing wage laws and other things that we’re required to comply with increases the cost of these projects above what they would be for a private comply. So these type of grants, we really rely on these things to get a lot of this work done,” said Colson.
Garry Douglas, President of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, said the awards in his region reflect the strategy to develop the destination-tourism industry of the Adirondacks.
“One of our strategies is to enhance, particularly in the Adirondacks, the attractiveness of the region for 21st Century tourists, the kind of accommodations, the kind of tourism attractions that people want to see and experience now. So we see further investment investments in sites such as Fort Ticonderoga, the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. So steady as she goes, more progress on that front,” said Douglas.
The area’s agriculture industry also got a boost, including $2 million to help company Agri-Mark build a new cheese manufacturing facility.
A link to the full list of the fourth round of awards is at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/
