Senator Gallivan Congratulates Regional Economic Development Councils for Securing Critical Funding

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) is praising the latest round of state funding awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council program, including support for dozens of projects in Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region. Statewide, more than $755 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round VII of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

“I congratulate members of the Western New York and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Councils for submitting these important projects,” Gallivan said.  “These various initiatives will improve quality of life for residents, spur economic development, create jobs, boost tourism and help grow our economy.”

The Regional Councils were established in 2011 to encourage community, business, and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region's unique strengths and resources.

The Western New York Regional Council has been awarded a total of $68.8 million, supporting 112 projects.  The Finger Lakes Regional Council secured $63.9 million in funding to support 110 projects.

Projects within the 59^th State Senate District include:

Erie County

• $750,000 for the Springville Center for the Arts to complete the next phase of renovations to their multi-arts center.
• $680,000 for the Village of Depew to correct sanitary sewer overflow discharges into Scajaquada Creek.
• $100,000 for the Village of Depew to complete an engineering report to investigate sanitary sewers and make recommendations for corrective actions.
• $56,000 for the Village of Lancaster to complete an engineering report and sewer system evaluation to address sanitary sewer needs with the Village.
•  $22,000 for the Village of Lancaster to conduct an Extreme Weather Vulnerability Assessment to address flooding and increased snowfall and assess flood risk and exposure.
• $6,000 for the Town of Eden to perform an industrial site study to determine opportunities available for future development and business expansion.
• $6,000 for the Town of Eden to study a possible community center, location and programs.

Wyoming County

• $700,000 for the Village of Attica to make improvements to the Village’s sanitary sewer system.
• $30,000 to the Village of Arcade for an engineering report, infiltration study and cleaning of 7,250 linear feet of sewer line.

Livingston County

• $1,500,000 to Howlett Farms for Howlett Soy Barley Grain Center to produce soymeal and oil and to serve as a malting barley clearinghouse and storage facility.
• $1,000,000 for the Village of Geneseo to install a new UV disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant.
• $500,000 to Livingston County Development Corporation to assist in the renovation of mixed use buildings in the Villages of Avon and Leicester.
• $186,500 to the Town of Portage to preserve the GAR Memorial Hall building.
• $150,000 to the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District to install a storm water retention basin near the Conesus Lake shoreline in the Town of Geneseo.
• $30,000 to the Village of Avon to complete an engineering report for the Village’s sanitary sewer system.
• $28,125 to Friends of Letchworth State Park to restore and preserve the Big Ben stone chimney built in the 1930’s.

Monroe County

• $65,505 to Genesee Country Village Museum to broaden its agritourism programs and attract visitors.
• $110,000 to Rochester Institute of Technology to create shared laboratory space supporting the development of Life Sciences Technologies.
• $98,258 to Rochester Institute of Technology to provide training to unemployed or under-employed veterans of displaced workers.
• $50,000 to Rochester Institute of Technology to purchase and install equipment related to research of food waste reduction, water efficiency and energy saving technologies.

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