Grant to Help Bring In & Out Furniture to North Tonawanda, Create Jobs

Deborah VanAmerongen, Commissioner of the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced $166,000 in NYS Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) awards to the City of North Tonawanda in Niagara County to assist in the establishment of In & Out Furniture, Inc.

The funding, approved today by DHCR's Housing Trust Fund Corporation will help the new company turn a vacant auto dealership into showroom, warehouse, and assembly space. This project is expected to attract more than $800,000 in mostly private investment, revitalize downtown North Tonawanda, and create 21 jobs-18 of which will be available to low and moderate-income New Yorkers.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "Today we are proud to offer In & Out Furniture a NYS Community Development Block Grant to expand their operations and reinvigorate an important part of the City of North Tonawanda. This grant will help In & Out Furniture create local jobs and will stimulate the economy of one of New York's most important economic regions."

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said this award is part of the town's 2006 Downtown Vision Plan, which was funded in part with NYS CDBG Planning Resources. "This grant will help In & Out Furniture build its inventory and create a business that will add to the vitality of downtown North Tonawanda."

North Tonawanda Mayor Larry Soos said, "I am very pleased that In & Out Furniture is receiving this grant as their success will be another piece of the puzzle for the continuing renaissance of our downtown area. We are always seeking to increase business in our community and In & Out Furniture will be now taking what was a vacant building and making it viable business in our community. I am very thankful to the State of New York DHCR for their assistance in this venture."

The NYS CDBG program is federally funded and administered by DHCR's Office of Community Renewal. The program provides grants to small communities in order to: ensure decent affordable housing, provide services to the most vulnerable, create jobs and expand business opportunities, and improve community facilities and services.

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