Village of Middleburgh to receive $224,000 for Health Care Clinic, 14 New Jobs

ALBANY, NY (05/07/2008)(readMedia)-- The Village of Middleburgh is set to receive a $224,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal to help launch a healthcare facility in Schoharie County. The funding will be used by the Village to assist Bassett Healthcare in their efforts to establish a full-time primary care clinic for area residents. The formation of a new clinic will create at least 14 new jobs over three years, with eight jobs to be filled by low- and moderate-income persons.

Division of Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said, “There is an urgent need to add healthcare services to those currently in place in Schoharie and Cobleskill,” said VanAmerongen. “Our investment will help make this project feasible and make it possible for the citizens of Middleburgh to have quality medical care and create new employment opportunities.”

Village of Middleburgh Mayor William Ansel-McCabe said, “The citizens of Middleburgh are thankful to DHCR’s Office of Community Renewal for their critical assistance to this project. Because of this grant, our village can join neighboring communities who are served by the Bassett Healthcare and enjoy the economic stimulus provided by the creation of new jobs as well. ”

Bassett Healthcare CEO Dr. William F. Streck said, "We appreciate the government's support of this initiative to bring a primary care center to Middleburgh. Access to quality health care is critical to the vitality of any community. Not only will the center provide health care close to home, it will support economic development by assuring the availability of a core service to the community. Middleburgh residents have anticipated the opening of this facility for some time, and we are pleased to share in the successful completion of this vision."

The NYS CDBG assistance will help reduce the lease cost of the building for Bassett. Without this assistance, the monthly lease payment would be too high, forcing Bassett to abandon its efforts. CDBG funds are targeted to cities, towns, and villages with populations of less than 50,000 and certain counties with populations of less than 200,000. The grants help develop affordable housing and suitable living environments, as well as, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.

The Housing Trust Fund Corporation is a public benefit corporation established to create decent affordable housing for persons of low-income by providing loans and grants for the rehabilitation of existing housing, or the construction of new housing. HTFC activities are administered by the staff of DHCR and the Commissioner of the Division serves as the Corporation’s Chairperson. The CDBG program, along with numerous additional state and federal programs, is administered by the HTFC.

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