Senator Young Announces Local Job Creation Projects to Receive State Funding

Area Projects Among Winners of Regional Economic Development Council Awards

            Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean) today announced that 19 job creation projects in the 57^th Senate District will receive critically important state funds through the second round of Regional Economic Development Council awards.

            “The news is tremendous because these projects will strengthen our economy and help create and retain jobs, something our communities need,” Senator Young said. “We need to get people back to work, develop good-paying jobs for our families and have career opportunities so our young people can stay after they graduate. These projects will be a boon to our local economies, and I applaud Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Duffy for working with us to achieve this successful initiative that is spurring job growth and building a stronger future.”

            Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said, "For the second year in a row, the Regional Councils have been on the forefront of rebuilding New York State's economy. For too many years, top-down economic development policies have failed communities across the state and not truly invested in the unique resources and strengths of each of New York's regions. Now a new, bottom-up approach is in place that brings local communities together to chart their own economic destiny. The second round of Regional Economic Development Council awards will deliver funding for critical projects and investments in communities across our state, helping put New Yorkers back to work and rebuilding our economy."

            The following job creation projects in the 57^th Senate District will receive funding from the second round of the Regional Economic Development Council program:

Allegany County

• Alfred University Integrated Manufacturing Center ($500,000)- Alfred University is proposing to partner with the University at Buffalo to the create an Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Training Center to substantially advance the speed with which new materials, and therefore new products and processes, are brought to market.

• Swain Ski Resort Upgrades ($350,000)- Installation of a high speed detachable quad chairlift to replace two old, inefficient lifts at Swain Ski Resort.

• Village of Alfred Wastewater Engineering Study ($30,000)- The Village of Alfred will complete an engineering report to consider upgrade options at the existing wastewater treatment facility.

• Water Supply Improvements Project ($600,000)- The Village of Canaseraga will make improvements to the municipal water system, which include the construction of a water filtration and disinfection system, replacement of 8,200 linear feet of transmission and distribution lines, a 400,000 gallon water tank, and water meters.

• Wellsville Waterline Extension ($186,000)- The Town of Wellsville requests assistance in the addition of infrastructure that will provide public water to 15 businesses along New York State Route 417.

Cattaraugus County

• Allegany State Park ($500,000)- Development of Allegany State Park near Salamanca, New York will include the expansion of existing water, sewer, power, natural gas services, lodging and other facilities. Specifically, the project will include increasing the current inventory of 9 full service cottages to approximately 37, and the development of a group camp offering a ropes course and zip line attractions.

• Town of Ellicottville Regional Water Project ($268,000)- Construction of a 350,000 gallon water tank and related water transmission works to eliminate low flows and pressures in the Town and Village of Ellicottville and the Town of Mansfield. This project will allow for job retention and growth by improving infrastructure used by existing major employers.

• Gowanda Zoar Valley Gateway Park ($250,000)- The Gowanda Area Redevelopment Corporation (GARC) is requesting funding to initiate the final phases of restoring the former Peter Cooper Superfund Site to a usable property. The project will result in a recreational park positioned on Cattaraugus Creek, which will serve as the gateway to the State-owned Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area and conservation site.

• Hollywood Theater Restorations ($420,000)- Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theatre Ltd. will continue the restoration of “Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater” located in the Gowanda Village Historic District. This phase will include upgrading of HVAC and integration of the duct system into the historic architecture. Once the upgrades are complete, the remaining historic components can be completed and the Theater re-opened. The restored building will be a multi-use facility for the visual and performing arts.

 Chautauqua County

• Advanced Manufacturing Machinists Training Program ($99,900)- Jamestown Community College of Chautauqua County will train 27 unemployed workers as machinists.

• City of Dunkirk Main Street Program ($250,000)- The City of Dunkirk will renovate seven buildings in its business district. The award will be used for the renovation of seven units, and a streetscape improvement project.

• Design and Construction of Village of Bemus Point Streetscape Improvements ($375,000)- The Village of Bemus Point will design and construct infrastructure improvements including sidewalks and curbs, paving, lighting, landscaping, street furnishings, crosswalk improvements, and wayfinding signage along Lakeside Drive and Main Street in downtown Bemus Point. The project will provide safer access for pedestrians and drivers, support the commercial district, and enable expansion of public events by accommodating seasonal visitors whose business is vital to the local economy.

• Dunkirk Bioenergy Power Generation Project ($350,000)- This project is designed to take advantage of the industrial organic waste stream that exists in a small circumference around the facility site to receive and process organic waste for power generation.

• Manufacturing of Low Emissions Wood-fired Boilers ($250,000)- Lopper North America will purchase new manufacturing equipment for metal cutting, bending and welding operations necessary for production of the new generation of low-emissions, wood-fired boiler technology.

• Westfield Main Street Project ($150,000)- Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. will renovate eight buildings in the Village of Westfield. The award will be used for interior and exterior renovations to eight units. Streetscape enhancements will also be made with New York Main Street funding.

Livingston County

• Ambuscade Park Development Project ($148,000)- The Town of Groveland will construct a multi-purpose building in Ambuscade Park, which is listed on the National Historic Register, for use by community groups for a wide range of activities. The project will include improvements to its water and electrical systems and will greatly expand the park’s ability to meet the needs of local residents and visitors. These improvements, and its location on the Revolutionary War Heritage Trail, will also attract more tourists.

• New Manufacturing Facility ($300,000)- Once Again Nut Butter will construct a new 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility for local food processing company in Livingston County.

• Nunda Downtown Revitalization Program ($250,000)- The Village of Nunda Main Street Program will renovate six facades in its historic downtown. The award will also be used for interior renovations on four commercial and seven residential units.

• Provo Small Business Project ($69,000)- The Village of Mount Morris will assist in the start-up of Thomas’ Restaurant. NYS Community Development Block Grant funds will be used toward the purchase of inventory, furniture, fixtures and equipment.

            “I have been proud to work with people from every part of our area including leaders in business, education, local governments, economic development and planning and others, to develop a list of job creation projects that achieve our goals of creating jobs and building a strong foundation for future growth,” Senator Young said. ‘These grants are a culmination of those efforts.”

            Statewide, a total of $738 million was awarded for 725 economic development projects in every region of New York State.

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