New York State officials have given their blessing to five area projects that could lead to federal funding for them.
Project sponsors submit applications anually for federal Appalachian Regional Commission funding. The applications are then ranked by Appalachian Regional Commission's local arm, the Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board, which forwards the top-ranked projects to the state for approval.
The stare recently approved the projects that include: The Seneca Nation of Indians' Seneca Arts Visual Incubator. The incubator seeks to help Seneca artists polish works to create economic activity and stimulate interest of others in the area.
The project cost is $170,857, $74,950 of which is being requested from the federal Appalachian Regional Commission. Visual arts, music and writing will be emphasized in the project aimed at helping area artists.
In second place for funding is a SUNY Alfred application pertaining to renewable fuels.
Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES is seeking $150,000 for its Southern Tier Advanced Manufacturing Institute. A training site at the Olean BOCES would be created for a tri-county training center. Such training is provided through Jamestown Commuinity College in Chautauqua County and Alfred State University in Allegany County, however there is no such training facility in Cattaraugus County. Therefore, the facility will provide manufacturing and engineering training to students.
Jamestown Community College's redesign of its occupational threapy curriculum to meet changing standards for accreditation is the fourth applicant in line for funding. About $60,000 is being sought to implement the new curriculum. Officials report the new curriculum will provide training so therapists can practice in non-traditional areas, such as mental health agencies, daycare, aging services.
An upgraded Allegany County 911 system is fifth in line for funding.