DHCR Announces Approval of $100,000 Grant to Help MESA Technical Grow and Create Jobs in Schoharie County

ALBANY, NY (09/22/2009)(readMedia)-- Deborah VanAmerongen, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal today announced a $100,000 New York State Community Development Block Grant Award (NYS CDBG) to help MESA Technical Associates, Inc. in the Town of Cobleskill grow and create seven full-time equivalent jobs in Schoharie County, six of which will be available to low and moderate-income workers.

MESA Technologies provides power backup systems for the telecommunications and utility industries and various industrial markets. The grant is the first awarded under New York's new Small Business Assistance Program and it will assist the company in purchasing new equipment. The grant announced today will help leverage an additional $155,000 in small business investment.

Commissioner VanAmerongen said, "This grant will help MESA Technologies succeed and enhance the quality of life in the Town of Cobleskill and Schoharie County. With this investment, MESA will more than double its workforce from five employees to twelve full-time workers. By helping companies like MESA grow, the NYS CDBG and Small Business Assistance Programs are working together to make communities stronger and local economies more vital."

The New York State Small Business Assistance Program has made $5 million in NYS CDBG funds available to help local governments support small business and promote entrepreneurship. The funds will be used to carry out direct, locally-driven, small-business assistance and micro-enterprise program activities.

The NYS CDBG program is federally funded and administered by DHCR's Office of Community Renewal. The NYS CDBG program provides resources to New York's small communities to enable the development of decent, affordable housing, create suitable living environments, and enhance economic opportunities across the state.

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