State, local leaders announce funding for completion of Hilton Garden Inn project ~ O'Mara says new funding will allow project to restart as critical piece of the economic revitalization of city’s Northside (UPDATED, August 3)

Corning, N.Y., August 2--State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Co-Chairman G. Thomas Tranter, Jr., Steuben County Industrial Development Agency Executive Director James Johnson and other area leaders today announced that state funding has been secured that will restart work on the construction of the Corning Hilton Garden Inn on the city’s Northside.

The state and local leaders said that work on the project, which has been delayed for over a year by state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) remediation requirements and subsequent cost increases, should restart later this month and be completed by next fall.  The project is expected to create nearly 50 direct new jobs.

To assist restarting work on the project, it was announced today that O’Mara has secured a $400,000 Senate initiative grant which will be accompanied by an additional $600,000 from the Southern Tier REDC.  Assistance from the Steuben County IDA includes a 12-year property tax incentive on the increased investment to the property along with a sales tax exemption on purchases made during the construction of the facility, and a mortgage tax abatement.

The completion of the Corning Hilton Garden Inn is considered a critical piece in the overall revitalization of downtown Corning, especially to the renewal of the city’s Northside.  Its location on Riverside Drive nearby the newly expanded Corning Museum of Glass and local small businesses will rejuvenate a site that’s been vacant since 2014 and generate economic spin-off benefits for the entire area.

Senator O'Mara said, "I'm grateful to secure $400,000 to help support and advance this critical economic development project. The completion of the Corning Hilton Garden Inn represents another vital foundation for the redevelopment of the city of Corning’s Northside, as well as the ongoing, overall revitalization of Corning’s downtown. This particular site is nearby one of New York State’s premier attractions, the Corning Museum of Glass, which already attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually to the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions and provides an enormous economic spin-off benefit to other regional attractions and small businesses. The Corning Hilton Garden Inn will enhance and strengthen this bright spot on the regional and statewide economies."

Assemblyman Palmesano said, “I am very grateful to Senator Tom O’Mara, Corning Enterprises and Empire State Development for providing the necessary financial incentives to move the Corning Hilton Garden Inn project forward after months of delay. Mostly, thank you to Kerry Fitzpatrick, property owner, for his continued patience and commitment in making this project a reality.  It's vital to the renewal of the city of Corning's Northside and will complement and enhance all of the activity taking place there as well as play an integral role in the ever-burgeoning tourism population that visits the newly expanded Corning Museum Of Glass and the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.”

REDC Co-Chair and Corning Enterprises President Tranter said, "This project is critical for the City of Corning`s Northside particularly with the recent expansion of the Corning Museum of Glass and Arbor Development’s relocation to Bridge Street and Riverside Drive. I am pleased that Empire State Development has increased their grant by $600,000 as a result of the fifteen month delay of the project.  I commend the developer Kerry Fitzpatrick and his family for working through the issues with NYSDEC and staying committed to this vitally important project for the Corning area."

Steuben County IDA Executive Director Johnson said, “The Steuben County IDA is pleased to have worked with Senator O’Mara and Empire State Development to move this important project forward.  These additional resources combined with direct assistance from our organization will help make this $20 million investment a reality in the City of Corning.”

Read more on today's announcement HERE.

[UPDATED, August 3rd: Read and watch more:

WETM-TV, "Work Set to Resume on Hilton Garden Inn Project in Corning"

Time Warner Cable News, "Leaders Hit Restart Button on Delayed Hilton Garden Inn Project in Corning"

WENY-TV, "Corning Hilton Garden Inn Project to Restart Construction"

Star-Gazette, "Work to resume on Corning hotel"

The Leader, "Hilton Garden Inn project secures funding"