Funding Awarded for Gas Pipeline Project in Franklin County

The St. Lawrence Gas Distribution Project has been awarded a $2.5 million grant for construction of a natural gas pipeline that will spur economic growth in Franklin County.  The funding was announced by Governor David Paterson on Tuesday, October 13 at the Franklin County Courthouse.
Senator Betty Little, who previously secured $2 million for the project, joined the governor along with Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, county and town elected officials, business and civic leaders and representatives of St. Lawrence Gas to make the announcement.
"Where there is infrastructure, there is commerce.  And where there is commerce, there is prosperity,” said Little.  “Natural gas will help existing businesses, such as McCadam Cheese in Chateaugay, and help attract new ones.  It will also help lower costs for state and local agencies, including our prisons, saving taxpayer dollars over the long-term.”
The grant is made available through the Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund, which invests in projects that advance local development and small businesses, including making improvements to industrial parks and providing loans for the purchase of equipment, real estate or other needs. Eligible applicants include municipalities, businesses, academic institutions, and non-profits and awards will range from $100,000 to $5 million.
“My first priority as Governor is putting New Yorkers back to work,” said Governor Paterson. "These 15 Upstate Regional Blueprint grants are critical as we work together to create jobs, improve the economic security of our families and bring new investment and growth to our Upstate communities.”
Richard Campbell, President & General Manager of St. Lawrence Gas, said: “The funding commitment is an acknowledgement by Governor Paterson, Empire State Development and Franklin County that the expansion of natural gas distribution is vitally important for Northern New York State. Bringing natural gas to this new market area will provide an economic and environmentally preferred fuel choice to residential, commercial and industrial customers.”
To ensure that each project meets the specific needs of its region, all applications undergo a competitive review process by ESD’s Regional Office Directors, with the support of central ESD resources. Requests for business investment assistance are reviewed on a rolling basis, and requests for infrastructure and downtown redevelopment assistance follow a quarterly calendar.