Photo by Tom Rivers – Bent’s Opera House is eyed as a performing arts center with a restaurant and retail/office space. The state denied the project any funding in the latest round of economic development grants.

New York State won’t be playing Santa Claus for Orleans County. A breakdown of the state economic development grants, announced today, shows very little for Orleans County despite the county’s high unemployment and clear need for these funds.

The state approved $58.9 million for 94 projects in the nine-county Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. This is the third year the state has awarded the funds through regional councils.

Bent’s Operas House in Medina was recommended by the council for state funding for a roof repair and renovations. Orleans Renaissance Group, owner of the building, sought $500,000 in state funding, but the organization was denied even a cent from the state.

The state approved $65,776 to the village of Holley for a canal park improvement project. Holley will use the funding to improve its existing gazebo, pavilions and stone paths.

New elements of the park will include tree planting, installation of grills and picnic tables, fire pits, and the purchase of new equipment to maintain the park.

The improved amenities should make the canal park a bigger attraction for Holley, drawing more bicyclists and boaters, state officials said.

Another grant allocates $46,680 for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee to provide employment support services for residents in the two counties. Community Action will offer job skills instruction and training, job placement assistance, computer skills and financial literacy.

These are the only grants that are targeted to a project in Orleans County. That’s barely $100,000 out of $715 million approved across the state. It’s woeful for a county burdened with poverty and high unemployment.

There is grumbling from rural county leaders that the new system hurts the small counties because the state tends to pick projects with an emphasis on job creation and capitol investment. The state also wants a local match for many of the projects.

Those criteria are steering more projects to the bigger communities that have deeper pockets and staffs to put together the applications.

I’ll have more on this in the coming days. But this is bad news for Orleans County.

Orleans is listed as recipient of some other multi-county initiatives including $62,050 through the Arts Council of Wyoming County to add culinary traditions to farmers markets and other agrarian, horticultural and rustic events. The initiative will expose market and festival goers to traditional foods and local chefs, according to state officials.

Orleans is listed as one of nine counties that would benefit form a $250,000 grant to High Tech Rochester Inc. The funding will help create a partnership between High Tech Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester to leverage each partner’s strengths to improve the breadth of services to all entrepreneurial activities in the Finger Lakes Region.

A grant that covers eight counties, including Orleans, will fund a regional watershed management plan through the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. The $507,830 focuses on a watershed management plan for the Niagara River and Lake Erie.

The tax on lodging generates about $35K for tourism

Photo by Tom Rivers – Dollinger’s Motel in Albion is among the lodging businesses in Orleans County that collect a 4 percent tax, in addition to the sales tax, from their customers.

ALBION – Orleans County legislators voted today to continue a 4 percent tax on lodging businesses, a tax that generates about $35,000 annually for the county’s tourism budget.

The county first imposed the tax in the year 2004. It has been extended every two years since then.

Motels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging providers collect the 4 percent tax from their customers, which is on top of the sales tax. The bed tax in 2012 raised $35,859, County Treasurer Susan Heard said.

The county doesn’t designate how the funds be used by tourism, but it helps pay for easements for fishing access, advertising and other outreach, said Legislator Ken Rush, R-Carlton.

He said most of the tourism funds are targeted towards getting more fishermen to the county. They, in turn as visitors, pay 90 to 95 percent of the bed tax, Rush said.

Legislators were asked to cease with the tax.

“There are better ways (to raise money for tourism) than by punishing businesses,” said Paul Lauricella, Conservative Party vice chairman.

None of the lodging operators in the county attended today’s public hearing, but in the past they have asked the county not to impose the tax. They have said not having a bed tax could give the lodging operators an advantage over other options outside the county.

Rush said he doesn’t know of a county that doesn’t have a bed tax.

“It doesn’t matter where you travel, you pay a bed tax,” Rush said in response to Lauricella. “If we don’t charge it we’d be the only one without a bed tax.”

The tax doesn’t generate much money for Orleans compared to counties with chain hotels. In neighboring Genesee County, which has more than 1,000 hotel rooms, the bed tax generates more than $400,000 a year. That money is used to promote Genesee businesses and attractions.

Provided photos – Hospice of Orleans Light-A-Life participants look for their loved ones’ names among the ornaments.

Press release
Hospice of Orleans

ALBION – Some Christmastime traditions are worth a bit of sacrifice, even withstanding frigid air for a half-hour or more. That’s just what more than 60 people did last Saturday as they witnessed the lighting of the Hospice of Orleans’ memorial tree on the front lawn of the Route 31 campus.

The annual Light-A-Life event provides a way for family and friends of people who have passed away – not just Hospice patients, and not only those who have died recently – to remember their loved ones, while also supporting Hospice of Orleans.

The tree is available to any for whom a measure of comfort can be found in paying tribute to a loved one in this manner. Light-A-Life participants purchase an ornament in memory or honor of their chosen designee.

The purchaser takes home an ornament for his/her own tree, and Hospice creates a paper laminated ornament for the outside tree, which was donated by Jerry and Carol Culhane of Gaines. Bill Downey of Albion donated his sign-making services to identify the tree’s meaning to passersby.

A crowd gathers for the annual Hospice of Orleans Light-A-Life tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 7.

Brandi Hazel DiMatteo attended in memory of her grandparents, Merle and Eleanor Hazel. “The tree lighting at Hospice used to be me and Grandma’s annual event to find Grandpa’s name on the tree. Unfortunately, I was looking for both their names this year. My aunt Linda Wilkins and I were there to show our love. We’re missing them everyday more and more.”

Hospice Board Member Craig Lape sang a solo rendition of the Alabama song, “Angels Among Us,” prompting tears from many present, some of whom quietly sang along.

Pastor Linda Haight, a Hospice spiritual care coordinator, offered a reflection about how grieving is still allowed, even at this merry time of year. Her meditation will be available on the Hospice website (www.hospiceoforleans.org – lower left, “Latest News”).

In addition to the Light-A-Life, Hospice is celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the Martin-Linsin Residence this month. To help deck the halls, Albion Ace Hardware donated a 7.5-foot pre-lit Christmas tree for the main living area. Hospice friend Winnie Wawrzyniak donated a second tree, which is on display in the indoor courtyard. County House Christmas Trees contributed two fresh wreaths. And Walmart of Albion gave a gift card toward other Christmas decorations.

The piano students of Bonnie Heck of Lyndonville will be giving a recital at the Residence on Dec. 14. Eccles Piano Studio of Albion is hosting a Hospice benefit recital at the Albion Free Methodist Church on Dec. 20. In addition, various carolers and other visitors are planning appearances at the Residence. Even Santa is rumored to be stopping by.

“Having so many people pitch in is so heartening,” said Hospice Development Director Marsha Rivers. “That’s what makes this ‘the most wonderful time of year’ – not that everything is perfect, but that people open their hearts and their pocketbooks to help their neighbors. The reason we love Christmas is because Christmas is about love.”