Senator Stewart-Cousins Announces Nearly $5 Million in State Regional Economic Development Grant Awards

Yonkers, NY - Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Democratic Leader, proudly announces that New York State has made a nearly $5 million commitment to  fund various economic development projects located within the 35th State Senate District that she represents. The funding is part of the fifth round of the Regional Economic Development Council awards totaling $750 million statewide, with $90.4 million for the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council in support of 109 projects for the region that includes Westchester County.

“I’m pleased that key projects in my district will get essential resources in this highly-competitive grant process,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “The state's Regional Economic Development Councils continue to provide significant, locally-targeted investment that is creating economic opportunities and job growth, supporting businesses and expansion, building housing, and generating new options for tourism. That's why I continue vote for this important funding."

Just over $3 million in projects were awarded in Yonkers, including one of the top awards in the Mid-Hudson Region, $1.25 million for SoYo Exalta. SoYo Exalta is a $197 million mixed-use development that includes 442 housing units, 509 parking spaces and 40,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space to be constructed near the Saw Mill River Daylighting and the Yonkers Train Station.  Yonkers also received a $90,000 grant to move ahead with plans by local artist Vinnie Bagwell to create an African Rain Garden.

An additional $1.9 million in REDC funding is dedicated for other projects in the 35th Senate District, including $1.05 million for the Cayuga Pond Stormwater and Sediment Reduction in Scarsdale, the Old Croton Aqueduct restoration in Irvington, and restoring the 20-acre historic landscape between Lyndhurst in Tarrytown and the Hudson river.

“These varied and numerous projects, together, will significantly enhance our communities and lay the groundwork for additional economic opportunities throughout our region and our state, ” added Senator Stewart-Cousins.

2015 Regional Economic Development Council Awards

YONKERS:

SoYo Exalta, LLC
SoYO Mixed Use TOD Project Phase II - $1,250,000
SoYo Exalta, LLC will undertake the construction of a mixed-use transit-oriented development ("TOD"), nearly a full square block at the center of downtown Yonkers adjacent to Van Der Donck Park which features the "daylighted" Saw Mill River.

Greyston Foundation, Inc.
Greyston Bakery Capital Improvements - $200,000
Greyston Bakery will invest in equipment and electrical upgrades utilized within its Yonkers Facility

Greyston Foundation, Inc.
Production Training - $99,888
Greyston Foundation Inc. of Yonkers will train 75 workers in box making, dematting, depositing, mixing, packing, palletizing, running, scaling, slicing, Urschel operation, waste monitoring, and production supervision.

Groundwork Hudson Valley
Yonkers Rail Trail Phase 1 Capital Construction - $394,280
Groundwork Hudson Valley will use funding to construct phase one of a 2-mile rail-trail that stretches from the Downtown Yonkers Waterfront to the 242nd Street subway station in Riverdale. This segment includes a major new park and play area along the trail, which was a primary request of local residents during the planning phase.

The City of Yonkers
Yonkers Downtown TOD Riverwalk Expansion - $400,000
The City of Yonkers will construct two waterfront walkways recreational trails along the western edge of the city's waterfront intersect at Metro North Hudson Line-Yonkers station.

City of Yonkers
Yonkers Arts and Culture Project - $90,000
The City of Yonkers, ArtsWestchester, and the Yonkers Board of Education will work with local artist Vinnie Bagwell to develop an urban-heritage public sculpture that will help to revitalize the downtown-waterfront district in Yonkers.

R.J. Rose Realty, LLC
Yonkers Carpet Mill Arts District Revitalization Project - $500,000
R.J. Rose Realty LLC will make critical improvements are being made to the former Alexander Smith Carpet Mills site to transform the aging facility into a working arts new technology hub.

Westhab, Inc.
Workforce Development Training - $96,000
Westhab, Inc. of Yonkers will train 160 workers in special populations in electricity, national electric code, ServSafe food handling, security, and commercial driving.

ARDSLEY, HASTINGS, IRVINGTON, DOBBS FERRY

RiverArts
Expanded Development Capacity - $49,500
RiverArts will hire a part-time Director of Development for Foundation and Corporate Foundations to create a professional, systematic fundraising operation to secure funding implement its strategic plan.

IRVINGTON:

Old Croton Aqueduct Trail Restoration - $230,750
The Village of Irvington will develop two trailhead facilities with signage providing trail and attraction information in English and Spanish along the Old Croton Aqueduct as it runs through the village.

SCARSDALE:

Cayuga Pond Stormwater and Sediment Reduction - $1,050,000
The Village of Scarsdale will construct a one quarter acre sediment forebay at the southern end of the Fenway Golf Club to capture sediment from the Sheldrake River prior to entering Cayuga Pond. The project will increase the stormwater detention capabilities of Cayuga Pond.

TARRYTOWN:

Update of Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations - $100,000
The Village of Tarrytown will update its Comprehensive Plan to incorporate an economic development strategy and develop new zoning regulations that will foster implementation of their transit- oriented development concept plan for their train station and waterfront area.

National Trust for Historic Preservation
Lyndhurst River Loop Trail - $500,000
Lyndhurst will use funding to restore the 20-acre historic landscape between the Mansion and the Hudson River to significantly increase recreational use. This project will include restoration of an 1840s trail from the mansion veranda through a series of Hudson River viewing platforms; opening of the newly restored 1895 bowling alley to the public for the first time since the 1960s with full ADA access; and providing fully accessible bathroom facilities to all visitors.

MID-HUDSON REGION INCLUDING WESTCHESTER COUNTY:  

Excelsior Jobs Credits - $9,616,000
Reserved for future projects that create or retain jobs, create capital investment and are consistent with the Strategic Plan

Low Cost Economic Development Financing - $38,200,000
Federal Industrial Development Bond (IDB) Cap will be made available for state and local government issuers to sell tax-exempt bonds for eligible economic development, infrastructure and community revitalization efforts.

NYSERDA Energy Efficiency Projects
173 Energy Efficiency Projects to be determined