O’Mara joins local officials to dedicate new portion of Town Center Road in Erwin: Project expected to deliver significant economic development and enhance community services

Erwin, N.Y., October 8—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today joined Erwin Town Supervisor David Erwin, Deputy Town Supervisor Doug Cole and other local officials to officially dedicate the new portion of Town Center Road.

Other area representatives scheduled to attend today’s dedication included Erwin Town Board members Gary Roush, Jody Allen and Frank Curreri; Erwin Town Manager Rita McCarthy; Erwin Town Highway Superintendent Dan Hamilton and Deputy Highway Superintendent Howie McFall; Rick Snavely, CEO of Family Life Ministries; and Dean Hackett representing HUNT Engineers, Architects, Land Surveyors, & Landscape Architect, DPC.

The group met at the intersection of Town Center Road and Chatfield Place for a ceremony that included the unveiling of the new “Town Center Road” signage.

[In the photo above, in the front row holding the Town Center RD sign, from left to right: Erwin Town Supervisor David Erwin, Deputy Town Supervisor Doug Cole and Senator O’Mara. Behind them, from left to right: Erwin Town Highway Superintendent Dan Hamilton, Family Life Ministries CEO Rick Snavely, and Erwin Town Manager Rita McCarthy.]

The road improvement project accelerated in 2018 after O’Mara secured $1.5 million in state capital project funding to help move it forward. Town Center Road has been extended from its previous entrance on S. Hamilton Street to Chatfield Place and now connects two major transportation corridors within the town of Erwin. Existing water, sewer and drainage infrastructure was also upgraded to support future development.

The project will allow for the continued redevelopment of a vacant retail shopping center within the town's targeted Town Center Development Area.  It is expected to facilitate a $21-million private-sector investment, create 20 new jobs, and retain nearly 50 existing jobs.

The centerpiece of the new development will be the relocation of the Family Life Ministries office and radio broadcasting facility to the site, a facility that will include a new 1,900-seat dinner theater. 

Overall, the project will open six currently land-locked lots for development within the downtown center area that is expected to attract 30,000 to 40,000 tourists annually.  The redevelopment will also expand facilities to increase existing opioid and addiction counseling, and counseling for abused women and children.   

Over the past decade, O’Mara has joined together with area Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) to work closely with local officials across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, as well as statewide, on the maintenance and improvement of local transportation infrastructure.

O’Mara said, “We have been working year after year to keep building a strong, bipartisan commitment throughout state government for a stronger state commitment to our local transportation infrastructure.  We believe it is a wise use of state investment that benefits the quality of local communities, creates local jobs, sparks economic growth, enhances motorist safety, and helps ease the burden on local property taxpayers to achieve these important projects.  The Town Center Road redevelopment is a perfect example of how state investment can accelerate a local infrastructure project that will make significant contributions to community development and the strength of our entire region. I am proud to have had the opportunity to help move the Town Center Road project forward and share the excitement of the local community over what it means for the future of this area.”  

Town Supervisor David B. Erwin said, “On behalf of the Town, I want to thank Senator O‘Mara for bringing this project to fruition.  For over 20 years the Town has pursued numerous means to fund this project.  Only through Senator O’Mara’s procurement of a $1.5 million grant has this become a reality. I watch with gratitude as our residents and businesses have made this an oft used bypass for vehicles, bicycles, walkers and every personal mode of transportation.  It is a wonderful sight!”

Douglas R. Cole, Deputy Town Supervisor, said, “Town of Erwin residents, travelers, businesses, and their patrons will benefit from the infrastructure, products and services afforded by our now complete Town Center Road. This road, built with the $1.5 million grant Senator O’Mara obtained for the Town of Erwin, will encourage economic development envisioned in the S Hamilton/Town Center plan adopted in 2017.  This road will support the creation of 20 new jobs and retention of 46 jobs by Family Life Ministries as well as access to 6 land locked lots for in-fill development within the downtown center area.  We look forward to the planned development which can now happen in this area of Erwin thanks to the infrastructure grant brought to us by Senator O’Mara.” 

Jamie Johnson, Executive Director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) said, “I would like to thank Senator O’Mara and the State of New York for this important infrastructure investment in the Town of Erwin.  As a result of the Senator’s commitment to our community, Family Life Network will be able to move forward with the relocation and expansion of their corporate headquarters and performing arts center while opening up additional development opportunities in Steuben County.”