Funding for WNY/Finger Lakes Community Revitalization

ALBANY, NY (09/19/2007)(readMedia)-- Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced more than $6.9 million for revitalization projects in communities across Western New York and the Finger Lakes. Among other things, awards will help turn around the economy in Livingston County and assure clean drinking water in the town of Albion.

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.”

Examples of the types of projects receiving awards include:

Boosting Economic Development Efforts in Livingston County

An OFSC grant of $400,000 has been awarded to Livingston County, which has been hit hard in recent years by a loss of manufacturing jobs and consolidations in the agricultural industry.

This grant will allow Livingston County to leverage more than $1.1 million in additional, private funds to assist 66 existing businesses and establish 33 new businesses, create 80 new full-time jobs and help increase occupancy at more than 65,000 square feet of downtown vacant office space.

Provide Clean Water to Residents of Albion

The wells in the Town of Albion are drying up and residents do not have enough clean, safe water to drink and run their households. A grant of $400,000 will leverage more than 460,000 to provide an ample supply of clean water for 27 residents of Albion.

Additional projects funded throughout Western New York and the Finger Lakes include:

• • Seneca County will receive $100,000 for a Microenterprise Program

• • The City of Geneva will receive $634,000 for its Central Business District Revitalization Program

• • The City of Lockport will receive $400,000 for its city-wide Homeownership program

• • The Town of Fayette will receive $600,000 for the Fayette/Varick Water Improvement Program

• • The Town of Arcadia will receive $600,000 for a project to improve public water supply

• • The Town of Huron will receive $265,100 to rehabilitate 20 low and moderate-income housing units

• • The Town of Wolcott will receive $400,000 to improve its public water supply

• • The Town of Yates will receive $400,000 to improve its public water supply

• • The Village of Dundee will receive $400,000 to upgrade its public sewer

• • The Town of Belfast will receive $400,000 for Belfast Water Distribution System improvements

• • The Town of Carroll will receive $399,200 to improve its public water supply

• • The Town of Kendall will receive $400,000 to improve its public water supply

Congressman Brian Higgins said, “These federal funds allocated by the State will provide the Town of Carroll with needed water system upgrades that promise better water quality and delivery for local residents.”

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said, “Today's announcement is good news for the towns of Kendall and Yates. These community development grants from New York State will strengthen the towns' aging water infrastructures and provide safe drinking water for dozens of households.” Congressman Randy Kuhl said, "Our small communities need help with adding and rehabilitating expensive water transmission and waste management systems, but the tax base of most of these communities isn't large enough to cover the full costs," said Rep. Kuhl. "As these services are absolutely essential to every community, I sincerely thank Governor Spitzer for his attention to this critical need."

Congressman Tom Reynolds said, "The announcement of $400,000 for improving the availability of water to residents in Albion is great news. By making these important infrastructure improvements, the town of Albion becomes even a better place to live and work. I applaud the Albion officials for putting together a very strong grant request and Governor Spitzer for moving quickly on this request,” said Rep. Tom Reynolds (Clarence).

Reynolds added, "The happiest day in many families' lives is when they get to call a home their own. By making more money available for down payment assistance, this dream can become a reality for more families in Lockport. I applaud the Lockport officials for having a strong program to provide this assistance and Governor Spitzer for helping to make this request a reality. By working together at all levels of government, we can all provide important assistance to improve the lives of all of our residents."

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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Posted Wednesday September 19, 2007 at 03:16 pm by New York State Homes and Community Renewal