ALBANY – Of the 10 economic
development regions in the state, the Mid-Hudson Valley region won the
second largest amount of state dollars in the consolidated funding application
program with $87.1 million for over 120 projects. (Click
here for a complete list of the project funding.)
Only Central New York bested this region winning $88.2 million.
This is the third year the Mid-Hudson was designated as one of the top
performers in the state and Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress President
Jonathan Drapkin, who sites on the regional economic development council,
said that is akin to winning the World Series three times in a row.
The grants come from several different state agencies and until eight
years ago, were doled out individually. The governor consolidated them
since then, announcing all of the awardees at once in an annual presentation
that rivals a Hollywood awards show.
Several of the Mid-Hudson awards top the $1 million mark ranging from
$3.9 million for City of Rye sanitary sewer overflow improvements to several
$1 million grants going to The Center for Discovery in Sullivan County,
Greystone Foundation in Westchester, and the Town of Bedford.
The City of Middletown won $3 million for land acquisition for protection
of its water sources, the City of Port Jervis will receive just under
$1.9 million to protect its water source through land acquisition, the
City of Kingston will receive $1.2 million for Midtown parking lot improvements,
the City of Poughkeepsie won $1.2 million for parking lot stormwater management,
Hutton Brickyards redevelopment in Kingston will receive just under $1.2
million; and the Wildberry Lodge and Spa in New Paltz will receive $1.2
million. The Orange County Community College Association will receive
$1.8 million to renovate two vacant buildings on Grand Street in the City
of Newburgh.
