DHCR Announces $12.3 in Community Revitalization Grants for Central New York

ALBANY, NY (08/06/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced $12.3 million in grants to revitalize Central New York communities, renovate 257 units of affordable housing and create or retain 233 jobs.

The awards, funded through the NYS Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) and NY Main Street programs, are part of a statewide package of awards totaling more than $42 million that will be used to create and retain more than 400 jobs, and renovate nearly 1,000 units of affordable housing.

Awards for Central New York include $650,000 to revitalize the West Waterfront Gateway Neighborhood in the City of Oswego and $200,000 for the City of Cortland's Downtown Development Initiative.

Also included in the funding for Central New York are two major economic development initiatives which received CDBG funds. Oneida County will receive $750,000 to help Sherrill Manufacturing, a flatware manufacturing facility, expand and create 120 full-time jobs. And Cayuga County will receive $375,000 to assist in the development of Nutrition Bars Confectioners, LLC, which will create 34 full-time jobs in the area.

The entire list of awards can be found at the DHCR website: www.nysdhcr.gov.

Governor Paterson said "These grants will create jobs and revitalize urban business districts, and they will help rural communities make critical infrastructure repairs and upgrades. These awards bring us closer to our goal of making New York the best possible place to live, work and raise a family."

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said "the grants awarded today will help local communities and not-for-profit agencies rehabilitate more than 950 units of affordable housing and revitalize communities in every part of the state."

Locally, grants from the NYS CDBG and NY Main Street programs will help:

• Community Revitalization - NY Main Street awards will be used to renovate 45 building facades, beautify streetscapes with trees, ornamental paving, benches and other enhancements, and rehabilitate 30 commercial units in Central New York. Statewide, NYS CDBG grants will help communities make critical infrastructure improvements, directly benefiting more than 85,000 low and moderate income New Yorkers.
• Affordable Housing - NYS CDBG awards will rehabilitate 245 units of affordable housing in Central New York, and the NY Main Street awards will renovate 12 units.
• Business Growth and Job Creation - The NYS CDBG grants will help businesses in Central New York create or retain 79 jobs and will provide funds to support 11 small business enterprises, helping them to grow and prosper.

The NY Main Street program provides financial resources and technical assistance to communities to strengthen the state's traditional Main Streets and neighborhoods. Grants are provided to business improvement districts and other not-for-profit organizations for building renovations, façade and streetscape improvements and, in limited cases, capital funding for projects intended to anchor downtown districts. The program also provides technical assistance and other resources to support community revitalization efforts.

The NYS CDBG program is federally funded but administered by DHCR through its Office of Community Renewal. The NYS CDBG Program provides grants to smaller communities in order to: ensure decent, affordable housing; provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities; create jobs and expand business opportunities.

Grants from the NYS CDBG and NY Main Street programs are approved by the state's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), which is chaired by DHCR Commissioner VanAmerongen and administered by DHCR staff.

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