Sen. Helming Announces Funding for Four Projects in Finger Lakes Region

Senator Pamela A. Helming (R,C,I-Canandaigua) has announced that four projects located within the Finger Lakes region received funding from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority to support agricultural development. A total of seven projects across the state obtained a combined $1 million from the Authority, with four of them located in the 54^th District.

The four local projects include work at Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation in Canandaigua, the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corporation in Geneva, and the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua.

“Finger Lakes agriculture and wineries are critical components of our local and state economy and drive tourism and innovative research to our communities. The Cornell Experiment Station, Wine & Culinary Center, The Technology Farm, and the Wine & Grape Foundation are vital to the success of our agriculture and wine industry, and I am proud that they have all received this vital funding,” Senator Helming said.

Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva received $260,000 to support the continuation of a multi-year research plan focused on malting barley in New York State, which is critical to advancing the state’s craft beverage industry.

“The best tasting craft beverages start on the farm. Brewers depend on the freshest, highest quality ingredients for their products, and they turn to New York farmers for the raw materials they need to innovate and thrive. Our farmers, in turn, rely on Cornell research to improve the resiliency of the crops that fuel the craft brewing industry. This investment is a win for New York farmers and brewers and the consumers who demand only the best in their glass,” said Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which supports wineries throughout the Finger Lakes region and across the state, received $200,000 to support the NY Drinks NY program, a promotional effort showcasing New York’s wine and grape industries.

“We value GVRMA’s ongoing support for the New York Drinks New York promotion. We launched our seventh year of the program in July with a trade and media visit to our participating Finger Lakes wineries. A group of 12 to 14 trade and media professionals toured wineries and vineyards, attended winemaker lunches and dinners, and experienced the captive beauty of the Finger Lakes, said Sam Filler, Executive Director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.

Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corporation in Geneva, also known as The Technology Farm, received $84,527 to expand and renovate space at the facility to increase capacity and efficiency of the Technology Farm’s operations.

“The support of the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority and the state has substantially helped The Technology Farm be the success that it is in supporting and developing agriculture technology. We truly appreciate the Cuomo administration and Senator Helming for their support and help,” said John Johnson, Executive Director of The Technology Farm.

The New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua received $250,000 for the promotion of local food and beverages and facility renovations.

“As the representative for a large portion of the Finger Lakes area, I have been fighting to ensure that our region gets its fair share of support from state government. I am confident that this funding will accelerate the completion of these critically important projects,” Helming added.

The Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, solicits applications each year to assist in the development of agriculture and agriculture-related businesses in nine counties.

Agriculture supports thousands of jobs in the Finger Lakes region and is one of the key areas of investment in the Finger Lakes Forward regional economic development plan, a comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development in the regions.

Senator Helming represents the 54^th Senate District, which consists of Seneca and Wayne Counties, parts of Cayuga and Ontario Counties, and the towns of Lansing and Webster. For more information, please visit Senator Helming’s website, or follow @SenatorHelming on Facebook or Twitter.

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