Senator Nozzolio Announces $2.5 Million To Create Jobs At Seneca Army Depot
Romulus - State Senator Michael Nozzolio today announced that $2.5 million in state funding has been secured to redevelop the former Seneca Army Depot, which will create hundreds of new jobs at the Army Depot. The City of Geneva will also receive $2 million in Restore-NY grant funding for the revitalization of the Central Business District.
“Today’s announced funding is going to lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs at the Seneca Army Depot,” said Senator Nozzolio. “Since the Army Base closed, we have created over 1,500 jobs at the former Army Depot and I was pleased to fight to secure this funding and continue efforts to transform the Depot into an economic engine for Seneca County and the Finger Lakes region.”
The $2 million Restore-NY grant will be used to redevelop properties contained within the Seneca Army Depot in Seneca County. Funds will be used to retrofit a 40,000 square foot building to be used by Top Quality Hay Processors for indoor hay drying. The first of its kind process takes hay cut from the field through drying and baling in a matter of hours instead of several days, thus reducing limitations imposed by the weather.
Funding will also be used to rehab a 400,000 square foot industrial building to be used as a manufacturing facility for Seneca Bioenergy, a soy bean processor that produces alternative energy and provide infrastructure improvements for a plant to be used by Empire Green Biofuels, a company promoting the use of green energy.
“Through years of hard work and perseverance, I am proud to say that there are now more jobs at the Army Depot than in the 1990’s at the height of its use and we will be adding even more jobs with the redevelopment funds announced today. As State Senator, I remain committed to continue working aggressively to create new jobs and development at the Army Depot,” continued Nozzolio
Jeff Warren, President of Top Quality Hay Processors said, “This great news would not have happened without the support and dedication of Senator Nozzolio in bringing new businesses and jobs to the Army Depot. Senator Nozzolio was the driving force in bringing this project together and this state grant will help to create jobs in Seneca County.”
Steve Dennis, Executive Director of the Seneca County Economic Development Agency said, “The Restore NY grant will greatly assist the Seneca County IDA and the Town of Romulus with the continued redevelopment of the Depot. This grant will leverage private investment and jobs for Seneca County. Seneca County is extremely fortunate to have such a strong advocate in Senator Nozzolio.”
Mike Coia, General Manager of Seneca BioEnergy said, “This Restore-NY funds will allow us to rehabilitate over 400,000 square feet of warehouse space. We will also heat the building using biomass heat creating through the use of woodchips.”
David Kaiser, Supervisor of the Town of Romulus, “This is great news for the Town of Romulus and the revitalization of the Army Depot. Senator Nozzolio and everyone involved in securing this significant funding for the project are to be applauded for their hard work in bringing new jobs to the region.”
The City of Geneva will also receive $2 million for the Central Business District Revitalization Program, which will focus on the rehabilitation of several vacant and deteriorated structures in the Central Business District (CBD). The project will rehabilitate vacant storefronts and commercial spaces and create 25 new housing units. As part of the project, a former theater will be renovated for various economic uses.
Geneva Mayor Stuart Einstein said, “This funding will be a great shot in the arm for the continued revitalization of the central business district. I am extremely happy for the property owners who will be able to fulfill their dreams of rehabilitating their properties. Thanks to Senator Nozzolio’s work in securing this funding, our revitalization program will benefit the many shoppers and visitors that travel into Geneva ”
Geneva City Councilman John Greco said, “The Restore-NY funding is one of the greatest things that has happened to the City of Geneva. This is the second year we have received the Restore-NY funding and I would like to thank Senator Nozzolio and other officials for fighting to ensure that we continue to receive this valuable funding.”
“The City of Geneva continues to become more vibrant in the downtown area, thanks to the redevelopment and rehabilitation of the buildings in the Central Business District. It was a pleasure to help secure $2 million for the City of the Geneva in Restore-NY funding to continue our efforts in revitalizing the City,” concluded Nozzolio.
The three-year, $300 million Restore-NY Communities Initiative was established by the State Legislature in the 2006-07 State budget and is administered by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC). Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to municipalities to demolish or rehabilitate qualified commercial or residential structures, making these cleared or restored sites attractive to residents and businesses. Under the program, $50 million was distributed in 2006-07, $100 million announced today in 2007-08; and $150 million will be made available in 2008-09.
The grant money announced today is part of $100 million that comprises Year Two funding for the Restore New York’s Communities Initiative (Restore-NY), a program designed to aid municipalities in rehabilitating or removing obsolete or rundown commercial and residential properties, making these sites attractive to residents and businesses searching for new investment opportunities.
More information regarding the Restore-NY initiative is available online at www.empire.state.ny.us/restoreNY/
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