Funding Approved for Community Revitalization

$1.2 Million Approved for Revitalization Projects in Catskill, Hudson Falls, South Glens Falls, and Fort Edward. Part of $29 Million for Projects Statewide

ALBANY, NY (09/19/2007)(readMedia)-- Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced $1.2 million for revitalization projects in three Capital Region villages. Awards will help improve the public water system in the Village of Catskill and the public sewer system in the Village of Hudson Falls, and rehabilitate housing units in the Village of Fort Edward.

The funding is part of a total $29 million in awards from the Office For Small Cities (OFSC), which will fund 67 projects statewide and benefit 65 communities in 35 counties.

“These investments will help upstate communities address the critical areas of housing, infrastructure, economic development and downtown revitalization needed to build a stronger economy,” Governor Spitzer said.

Deborah VanAmerongen, Commissioner of the Division of Housing & Community Renewal and Chair of the Housing Trust Fund Corporation, which approved the awards today, said these grants “will have a significant impact on local communities and make it possible for localities and developers to leverage more than $48 million in additional funding statewide. This is an example of the type of collaboration that makes a real difference in the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”

The projects funded in the Capital Region include:

  • • A $400,000 grant to the Village of Catskill to provide safe water for 4,392 people by constructing a Chlorine Booster Station near the village boundary. This will allow the village to decrease the amount of free chlorine in the system and reduce harmful chlorination byproducts that are currently introduced at the treatment plant on the Potic Creek Reservoir
  • • A $400,000 grant to the Village of Hudson Falls Mosher Hill Underdrain to correct a storm water drainage problem that is a serious safety issue for this neighborhood and its 56 residents. The Village of Hudson Falls will provide an additional $50,000.
  • • The Village of South Glens Falls will receive $400,000 for a community-wide housing rehabilitation project
  • • A $400,000 grant to the Village of Fort Edward Housing Rehabilitation to rehabilitate 19 single and multi-unit properties.

Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee said, “I am thrilled to announce these major awards. By directing resources into local economy we can spur job creation and improve the quality of life in upstate New York,” she said. “I’d like to thank Governor Spitzer for his leadership and commitment to investing in our local communities.”

OFSC administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and provides grants to eligible cities, towns, and villages with a population under 50,000 and certain counties with populations under 200,000.

To view all the grants awarded by the Office For Small Cities visit www.dhcr.state.ny.us or www.nysmallcities.com

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