KINGSTON – Ulster County has been approved for a $1.5 million state grant to be applied to the cost of converting the former Sophie Finn Elementary School in Kingston into the new SUNY Ulster satellite campus.
The project was completed in August and the facility was opened for students for the fall semester. It is part of Ulster County Executive Michael Hein’s STRIVE program to integrate educational opportunities and services in the City of Kingston.
“The idea of bringing a community college satellite campus 100 yards away from an inner city high school and making sure that if a kid can walk to high school they can walk to college and change the trajectory of their entire life is really personally important to me,” Hein said, noting that he was the first member of his own family to have the opportunity to attend college.
Two other projects were also funded by the state’s Empire State Development Corporation.
Community Capital New York in Westchester County will receive up to $1 million for a portion of the cost to finance a revolving loan fund for small businesses in the Mid-Hudson region.
Community Capital is a certified community development financial institution.
Hudson Valley Brewery in Dutchess County will receive $450,000 to assist with renovations to a historic factory building in the City of Beacon, which will include an over 5,000 square foot tasting room, 20bbl brew system and a full canning and packaging line.
The project will be completed in January of next year.
