Grape Discovery Center, Celoron Park Revamp To Receive Assistance
A number of projects in Chautauqua County, ranging from tourism and water quality to infrastructure improvements, are receiving funds as part of this year’s state grant application process.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the awards for the various regions throughout the state on Thursday. Around $62 million were granted for 105 projects in Western New York, and over $4 million for 23 projects in Chautauqua County.
Projects awarded Thursday are part of the state’s Consolidated Funding Application process, which allows municipalities and organizations to apply for grants for projects that are prioritized by regional economic development councils.
In the south county, and outside of Jamestown, notable awarded projects include the second phase of construction for improvements to Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron, $354,220; a stormwater management study in Lakewood and Busti, $100,000; and a Main Street Revitalization Plan in Ripley, $36,000.
In the north county, The Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association received a $135,000 grant to expand The Grape Discovery Center. Funds will be utilized to obtain equipment for learning and event space.
The village of Fredonia received over $300,000 for the Barker Commons project, which consists of landscaping, metal fencing, concrete walkways and updates to lighting fixtures, among other enhancements.
In Dunkirk, Chautauqua County Rural Ministry received a $75,000 grant to renovate and improve its building on Central Avenue after partially collapsing last year.
The village of Brocton received $242,235 for improvements to the downtown business district while the county Soil and Water Conservation District received funds to assist in removing a dam on Silver Creek in the town of Hanover. The Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development received a grant to market the county-owned Overland Trails.
Overall, County Executive Vince Horrigan said he was pleased with this year’s awards list with numerous projects receiving funds. Horrigan commended municipalities and those involved for their work to move important projects forward. Horrigan said the funds received in this year’s CFA adds to the money received last year. Twenty-seven projects awarded in 2015 totaled over $6 million.
“Chautauqua County is doing very well and I’m very appreciative to the governor and the regional economic development team who are supporting our work,” Horrigan said. “We did have some special projects around sewering Chautauqua Lake that didn’t get funded. They’re very important to us and we’ll continue to pursue those and some other areas that didn’t make the list.”
Projects in Celoron continue to score big from the state after the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel received over $200,000 last year. Funds granted for the park in Celoron this year will go to improvements that include soil stabilization, a new breakwall, waterfront trail and a kayak and canoe launch.
Water quality projects are also getting a favorable response from the state as the county Soil and Water District received a $94,000 grant to stabilize ditches throughout the area to reduce sediment and nutrients from entering waterways.
Other notable projects awarded yesterday include:
¯ $270,000 to the town of Portland for the purchase of leak detection equipment and billing software as it pertains to the regional water project
¯ $100,000 to Timberfish for a technology demonstration project in Westfield
¯ $100,000 for a sanitary sewer evaluation study in Silver Creek
¯ $45,000 to the city of Dunkirk for a comprehensive plan update
¯ $40,510 to Libera, Inc. for an employee enhancement project
¯ $40,000 to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation for a strategic economic development plan
¯ $30,000 to the town of Ellicott for a collection system study.
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