Registration has opened for Canal Clean Sweep 2023. Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is organizing the 18th annual Canal Clean Sweep April 21-23 in celebration of Earth Day.
Community service clubs, co-workers at a business or organization, Scouts or even families are encouraged to register for a spot or section of the canal. Or they can check back later to register as a volunteer for a public event. Use the Event Finder Map on Parks & Trails website.
Most events will occur on Earth Day weekend, April 22-24. However, volunteers can pick another day if it works better.
Click here to fill out a form to register a Canal Clean Sweep event, indicating the clean-up location, how many volunteers are expected, and what t-shirt sizes are needed.
After registering for a Canal Clean Sweep event, Parks & Trails will provide more information and materials.
Last year, not-for-profit organizations, civic groups, businesses, and social clubs took part in more than 130 events along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail as 2,700 volunteers helped clean up nearly 1,500 bags of garbage.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 February 2023 at 2:38 pm
Specific projects likely at least a year away from approval
Provided photo: Mayor Mike Sidari, right, holds a ceremonial check for $4.5 million after the governor’s presentation on Monday. Joining him from right to left include: Village Trustee Tim Elliott, Kathy Blackburn, Diana Baker, Village Trustee Jess Marciano, Scott Robinson of the Medina Area Partnership and David Flynn.
MEDINA – The long-awaited news on Monday that Medina was a big winner for projects in the downtown and near the waterfront is a “transformative moment for Medina,” said Mayor Mike Sidari.
He attended an event in Rochester on Monday when Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $4.5 million Forward NY grant for Medina. The Village of Geneseo also was awarded a $4.5 million grant and the Village of Perry won the big $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant for the Finger Lakes Region.
Sidari is thrilled with the $4.5 million coming to Medina. He praised the business community and a team of village officials and volunteers who have been pursuing the $10 million DRI for six years now. Medina made it as a finalist before, but never secured the funding until Monday.
The state this year broke up the downtown revitalization grants. There are still $10 million DRI winners among 10 regions in the state, but the state is giving smaller Forward NY grants of up to $4.5 million for villages or hamlets.
Sidari said there is still more hard work to do before tapping into the money. The State Department of State will send a representative to Medina in about two weeks to go over the next steps.
Sidari said he expects a committee will be formed of village officials and the business community to zero in on specific projects, get commitments from property owners and construction estimates, and then send those projects to the state for final approval.
That is expected to take much of this year before the state finalizes the projects, and then the work could proceed in perhaps a year. But it could take longer. Sidari noted some of the construction projects in Batavia didn’t get started until last year – more than four years after Batavia was awarded the $10 million DRI in October 2017.
“Hopefully at the end of this year we can announce our projects,” he said on Monday evening. “The process will get started it about two weeks. I expect it will be about two years before we see changes.”
The $4.5 million grant from the state will push Medina forward, Sidari said, “advancing opportunity for entrepreneurs, job creation, generation of tax revenue and ultimately attracting more young families and tourists.”
Photo from Governor’s Office: Gov. Kathy Hochul announces a $4.5 million Forward NY grant for the Village of Medina during a presentation on Monday at The Theater at Innovation Square in Rochester.
Medina’s application included seven proposals for funding, but those aren’t necessarily how the money will be allocated. It’s almost guaranteed those seven proposals won’t be funded at the levels in the application because Medina didn’t get the $10 million.
Sidari said the $4.5 million will still make a big impact in the downtown area. “I think it will be just enough money for what we need to do,” he said.
The proposals in Medina application include:
• Small project grant fund for Main Street, West Avenue – $1 million estimated cost with $500,000 of grant.
This project is designed to support façade (a building’s street-facing elevation) improvements to commercial and mixed-use properties on Main Street that benefit both the businesses occupying those buildings and the community as a whole. Necessary updates include paint, brick, wood, awnings/canopies, lighting, windows and doors.
“Improvements to the street-facing exteriors of the buildings in need are meant to preserve the unique small-town charm in our community while spurring economic growth,” the village’s application states.
• Renovation and activation of upper stories, Main Street and West Avenue – $800,000 with $400,000 from grant.
Medina’s Main Street and downtown have proudly seen a relatively low first floor vacancy rate, while many of the upper stories remain vacant and underutilized, according to the application.
The property owners of the buildings located at 509 Main Street, 345 Main Street, 425 Main Street, and 525 West Avenue have shown interest in the following renovations: structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, new windows and a sprinkler system.
The building owners will be contributing to the rehabilitation costs. These spaces will offer expanded commercial space as well as additional housing and help create a more vibrant and active downtown, according to the application.
• Way-finding signage throughout village for $100,000.
While Medina contains many unique assets and historic resources, in many instances visitors may not be knowledgeable about the close proximity of the Erie Canal and other recreational resources. Conversely, those traveling by boat or bicycle on the Erie Canal may be unaware of the vibrant downtown that is steps away from the Canal Basin, which is part of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, according to the village’s application
Potential signage types for downtown may include gateway signs, directional signs (vehicular and pedestrian), kiosks and interpretive signs, identification signs (destinations and parking areas), and light pole banners.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Medina in its application sought $100,000 of the grant to better direct people to attractions in the village. This photo is from Main Street this past December. Medina also is seeking to upgrade a municipal parking lot behind Main Street and East Center Street.
• Municipal parking lot upgrades at area behind Main Street and East Center Street – Estimated cost $500,000 with $300,000 from grant.
There is a large parking lot that lies to the southeast of the intersection at Main Street and East Center Street within walking distance of many businesses. The underutilized lot offers more than 50 much-needed parking spaces but needs enhancements including paving, directional signs (vehicular and pedestrian), green space/trees that provide shade and drainage, security cameras, safe pedestrian connections and additional lighting.
“These changes will help attract the attention of visitors and provide a necessary relief to existing parking infrastructure,” village officials stated in the application.
The village would like to improve a municipal parking lot to add more spaces and make the site more attractive.
• State Street Park – $300,000 for updated playground equipment and a small ice rink, bicycle amenities, seating benches and additional lighting.
“Despite recent improvements, including the addition of a small pavilion that allowed the park to host a summer concert series, State Street Park remains relatively underutilized, especially in the off-season,” village officials said.
• Mustang City: adaptive reuse of old high school at 324 Catherine St., $9 million project, $3 million in grant requested.
Mustang City will be a loft-style community set in the historic former Medina High School building. This project will involve the restoration and adaptive reuse of the historic structure, transforming its 90,000 square-foot floor area into 40 loft apartments. Mustang City will fulfill Medina’s need for additional housing options and will allow for a new kind of “maintenance-free” living, with amenities and services including grocery delivery, cleaning, and laundry pickup. This project is already underway with over 100 new windows and a new roof.
• Medina Railroad Museum: seeking $1.5 million.
The Medina Railroad Museum draws approximately 40,000 people annually. It recently invested $40,000 in the construction of a panel track to display box cars and house new exhibit and cafe spaces as well as restrooms and is also in the process of creating a continuous boarding platform.
The museum envisions these investments as part of a larger plan to expand its footprint and to create more of a campus-like complex. The campus will extend east from the existing museum building to the old train station near Main Street, creating a visible and intriguing presence along the main thoroughfare, according to the village application.
The train station building (currently used as the senior center) is owned by the village. The Railroad Museum would to see it become a welcome center and small exhibit space, attracting people off Main Street and to the museum (while the senior center would be relocated to Village Hall).
A landscaped pedestrian plaza will connect the train station to the existing museum building. Site improvements at the existing museum will include visitor experience enhancements, roof upgrades, parking lot paving, as well as landscape beautification. On the southern side of the tracks, the campus plan calls for the creation of a park-like courtyard space adjacent to the library. This courtyard will include the installation of two, permanent dining cars – to be rented out for weddings and other events – as well as an enclosed pole barn building, which will be used to store and repair cars, according to the application.
Provided photo: State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt speaks at the podium while joined by members of the NYS Senate Republican Conference.
Press Release, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
ALBANY – In response to a fiscally irresponsible state budget proposal that continues uncontrolled state spending, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Republican Conference on Monday unveiled their vision to provide relief and create “A More Affordable New York.”
This is one of several impactful initiatives being proposed as part of the conference’s Rescue New York Agenda. While Governor Hochul and her Democratic allies in the Legislature continue ignoring everyday New Yorkers with the same old tax-and-spend routine, the Senate Republican Conference is putting forward real solutions to help the middle class and build a stronger economy statewide.
“We have actionable, achievable solutions to make our state affordable again,” Ortt said. “The policies coming from the Hochul Administration and her allies on the left aren’t just wrong, they are irresponsibly out of touch with reality and they’re driving people out of the state. While hundreds of thousands of middle class families are struggling to afford everyday necessities, the Democrats led by Kathy Hochul are prioritizing $300 million for individuals who are here illegally. While seniors on fixed incomes worry about their heating bills, they’re moving to ban fossil fuel hook-ups to new and existing buildings and drive costs up even further.”
The Republican Conference specifically called out several Executive Budget proposals that would exacerbate New York State’s lack of affordability, including:
Eliminating enhanced Medicaid payments to local governments, which would create enormous pressure to increase local property taxes;
Increasing unemployment insurance taxes on already struggling small businesses and farms;
Further increasing payroll taxes in the MTA region; and
Siphoning hundreds of millions of dollars in state money into New York City to pay for the settlement of illegal immigrants.
In contrast, the Senate Republicans’ “A More Affordable New York” initiative will put money back into the pockets of taxpayers and make our state affordable once again as families continue to struggle with rising costs due to record high inflation, including:
Eliminating costly unfunded mandates that drive up local property taxes;
Protecting businesses from unemployment insurance tax hikes by creating an Unemployment Insurance Solvency Reserve Fund and repealing the interest assessment surcharge, which is the assessment on businesses to pay back the UI Trust Fund’s deficit;
Repealing Congestion Pricing; and
Providing relief from heating costs geared toward the middle class.
Provided photo: Tim Winters, president and CEO of Western New York Energy in Medina, gives Congresswoman Claudia Tenney a tour of the facility on Bates Road.
MEDINA – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Monday visited Niagara and Orleans counties to visit local businesses and discuss the issues facing small business owners in Western New York.
Congresswoman Tenney began her day by touring Western New York Energy, the only ethanol biofuel producer in New York. During her visit to the facility on Bates Road in Medina, she toured the new expansion of the facility and spoke with employees about their work to produce renewable energy.
Tenney then met with business and community leaders in Orleans County to discuss how to promote business growth in the region. Following the meet and greet, Tenney toured Medina Business Park, where local officials showed her how they are working to promote business growth in the county.
The day ended with a visit to Rubberform in Niagara County. Tenney met with employees and business leaders and highlighted her recent introduction of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act to boost investments in American manufacturing. The Congresswoman introduced the AIM Act in the House of Representatives earlier this year alongside Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).
Tenney was joined by various elected officials and community leaders throughout her visits, including Michael Dobell, the CEO/CFO of Orleans County Economic Development; Gabrielle Barone, the Vice President of Development of Orleans County Economic Development; Timothy Winters, the President and CEO of Western New York Energy LLC; William Eick, the Orleans County Legislator, District 1; Michael Sidari, Mayor of the Village of Medina; Sean Pogue, Supervisor of Town of Barre; and Don Allport, Orleans County Legislator.
In Niagara County, the Congresswoman was joined by Rick Abbott, Niagara County Legislator; Tony Nemi, Niagara County Legislator; Michael Casale, Commissioner of the Niagara County Department of Economic Development; and Bill Robbins, the President and Founder of RubberForm Recycled Products LLC.
“It was a great honor to visit Orleans and Niagara counties and meet with several local small businesses,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Family-owned and locally-operated businesses are the backbone of Western New York’s economy and provide thousands of jobs across New York’s 24th district.
“As a small business owner, I know firsthand the struggles these companies face operating in a business un-friendly state like New York, and it was great to speak with them about their priorities. I am committed to fighting for them in Congress. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, one of my top priorities is to support legislation that eases the tax burden on small businesses, boosts employment opportunities, and encourages greater growth and prosperity.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 February 2023 at 8:30 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE – Firefighters were dispatched this morning to a fire at a vacant trailer at 13455 Allis Rd. in Barre.
A man who used to live in the trailer passed away about two years ago, a neighbor said.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 6:41 a.m. Barre, Albion, Medina and Elba responded as well as the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
The fire seemed to be concentrated on one side of the trailer.
Fire investigators are on scene to try to determine the cause of the fire.
UPDATE at 6:17 p.m.: Fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as accidental but the investigation is continuing.
Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association
ALBION – A 45-year-old inmate who was already being housed in the Residential Rehabilitation Unit (RRU), sucker-punched an officer in the face as the inmate was being escorted to the visit room at the medium security correctional facility on Saturday.
The inmate was being processed in the visit room when he struck the escorting officer in the face during an unprovoked attack, NYSCOPBA officials said in a news release. Two nearby officers immediately responded to the attack as the inmate continued to be combative with staff.
OC spray was administered to the inmate, but the scuffle continued to the floor. Two other officers responded and utilized body holds to the still combative inmate. Ultimately, officers were able to gain control of the inmate’s arms and place him in wrist restraints. Once in handcuffs, the inmate became compliant and was escorted to be decontaminated and checked out by medical staff.
The initial officer in the attack sustained swelling and bruising in his face and jaw, pain in his shoulder and potential inner ear damage. One of the other responding officers noted shoulder and wrist pain. Both were transported to an outside hospital for further evaluation. The initial officer who was sucker-punched in the face by the inmate has been unable to return to work due to his injuries.
The other three officers were treated by facility medical staff for a variety of abrasions and scratches, and remained on duty.
The inmate is serving a 12-year sentence after being convicted in Erie County in 2016 for drug possession. He previously served 12 years in prison after being convicted of assault, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon in 1998.
“Another day, another officer assaulted in our state prison system. This time it’s Orleans Correctional Facility’s turn where five officers were injured in an unprovoked attack,” said stated Kenny Gold, NYSCOPBA Western Region Vice President.
“Last week, NYS Legislators claimed they haven’t seen data indicating a rise in violence in our RRU’s since HALT,” Gold said. “Well look no further. This inmate, who was already being housed in the RRU and was on his way to the visiting room, punched an officer in the face rather than spend time with his loved ones. The message couldn’t be clearer. Certain individuals in the incarcerated community know that with the HALT Act in place, there are no significant consequences for violent behavior, and they are taking full advantage.”
Provided photo: From left include Karen Kinter, interim CEO of Oak Orchard Health; George Sokolsky, president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockport; and Robin Govanlu, OOH director of Behavioral Health.
BROCKPORT – The Kiwanis Club of Brockport donated $1,000 to Oak Orchard Health’s Mommy and Me Healthy We Will Be program and $300 to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
The Mommy and Me Program supports new moms and babies experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety. The WIC program offers eligible families breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, health education, health care referrals, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods.
“The Kiwanis Club of Brockport is dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The local club began in 1926 and has always focused on fundraising and service projects to help children. The Mommy and Me and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs fit perfectly with our mission,” said George Sokolsky, president, Kiwanis Club of Brockport.
The initial idea for Mommy and Me came from our Medical Director and Pediatrician,
Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead. She brought to our attention that the U.S. has some of the poorest health outcomes for children and their birth mothers. Just one large contributing factor to this is our culture’s approach to postpartum mental health, as well as the stigma that often surrounds this. That stigma is a barrier to mothers seeking the necessary care they need.
“Did you know that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression or anxiety?” said Karen Kinter, interim CEO, Oak Orchard Health. “The goal of Oak Orchard’s new program is to achieve optimal maternal and child health and to make it easier to have conversations about postpartum depression and anxiety. This program integrates behavioral health care managers into the pediatric care team.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today released the following statement after her appointment to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee in the 118th Congress.
Claudia Tenney
This committee has jurisdiction over all non-defense-related federal scientific research and development portfolios.
Congresswoman Tenney was also named to the committee’s Energy Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Energy’s research and development programs.
“It is an honor to serve on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee for the 118th Congress,” Tenney said. “This committee is vitally important for maintaining our technological edge over adversaries like China. We simply cannot let our enemies out-compete and out-innovate us. Additionally, with the Biden administration’s war on energy, I am especially honored to serve on the Energy Subcommittee.
“New York’s three remaining nuclear power plants are in New York’s 24th Congressional District. Safe and reliable nuclear power continues to hold great promise for our nation. As a member of the Energy Subcommittee, I will continue to oppose the Biden administration’s dangerous Green New Deal policies and support targeted investments in energy technologies like nuclear that are clean, affordable, and reliable.”
The Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas released the following statement following Tenney’s appointment to the committee:
“I’m very pleased to welcome Congresswoman Tenney to the Science Committee,” said Chairman Lucas. “She understands how scientific innovation drives a strong economy, and she’s been a strong voice for an all-of-the-above approach to developing clean, affordable, and reliable American energy. She will be a tremendous asset to our Committee as we tackle the challenges facing us and work to keep America at the cutting edge of scientific, technological, and economic development.”
BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited Jackson Primary School on Friday in Batavia for his annual Valentines for Veterans program.
Students created over 100 valentines for the New York State Veterans’ Home at Batavia. Hawley had an opportunity to join Jackson Primary School Principal Maureen Notaro and meet with a class that crafted handmade valentines for this year’s program. He discussed many issues with the students, including what makes a person a veteran and spoke about the importance of respecting our veterans.
“Connecting with young students on a personal level gave me the opportunity to listen to their ideas about veterans and what these valentines meant to them,” Hawley said. “Working with Jackson Primary School was a blessing, the possibilities for the futures of these young students is immeasurable. I am excited to continue connecting with veterans and local primary schools during next year’s Valentines for Veterans event.”
‘Medina is poised to restore and advance its legacy as a key cultural anchor and economic hub along the Erie Canal’
Photo from Governor’s Office: Pictured from left with a ceremonial $4.5 million check presented to Medina today include Medina Area Partnership President Scott Robinson, Mayor Mike Sidari, David Flynn, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Village Trustee Tim Elliott, Kathy Blackburn, Village Trustee Jess Marciano and Diana Baker. Chris Busch and Lauren Backlas also are on the DRI committee that helped prepare Medina’s application.
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Villages of Geneseo and Medina will each receive $4.5 million in funding as the Finger Lakes region winners of the first round of NY Forward.
Building on the momentum of the State’s successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same “Plan-then-Act” strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns.
“NY Forward is a key part of our economic strategy to grow businesses and local economies, and create thriving communities,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments will help Geneseo and Medina reinvigorate their downtowns by creating jobs, boosting economies, and improving quality of life. My administration is committed to making strategic investments to help strengthen downtowns for the next generation of New Yorkers.”
NY Forward is a central component of the State’s economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York’s downtowns. NY Forward serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. NY Forward communities are walkable, less dense areas that serve the immediate local community, and are more local in nature – focusing on the immediately surrounding residential or rural agricultural centric development.
Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown through a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support smaller communities that may have less capacity as part of the NY Forward program and fund projects appropriately scaled to the size of each community. Projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.
Geneseo
Downtown Geneseo is centered along the village’s Main Street and Avon Road, which is known as the center of commerce, government, social interaction, entertainment and education in the Village and County. Geneseo seeks to build upon its existing architectural and geographic strengths to thrive as a vibrant cultural hub, performing and visual arts scene and tourist attraction in Livingston County. The Village’s revitalization strategy identifies a number of opportunities to transform several prominent vacant buildings into downtown anchors, enhance walkability, and improve public spaces and amenities.
Medina
Downtown Medina is a compact and walkable area along the Erie Canal encompassing many of the Village’s most impactful economic drivers and a significant portion of its local waterfront and water access points. By capitalizing on the synergies between the downtown and the waterfront, the village’s deep-rooted historical significance and architectural assets, recent and ongoing economic developments and its scenic and strategic location – Medina is poised to restore and advance its legacy as a key cultural anchor and economic hub along the Erie Canal.
Medina’s vision includes investments to reactivate upper stories in downtown, enhance recreational park space and water access, expand cultural tourism assets, diversify housing options, and encourage small business creation.
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “The NY Forward program works hand in hand with our successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative to re-energize smaller downtowns and create more opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors. The Villages of Geneseo and Medina are the first Finger Lakes communities to receive NY Forward funds, and both have a vision for revitalization that leverages existing cultural and historical assets to transform their downtowns into an economic engine for the entire region. I look forward to seeing both villages’ transformative visions come to life.”
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The NY Forward initiative is a focused approach to revitalizing smaller, rural communities throughout New York State. With this targeted funding, the Villages of Geneseo and Medina will be able to map and envision bright futures for their downtowns, through plans designed to accelerate their vibrancy and economic growth.”
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Today’s NY Forward awards will support meaningful downtown revitalization efforts that will benefit residents of Geneseo and Medina for years to come. This $4.5 million investment in each community will be guided by strategic plans formulated with the cooperation of local leaders and stakeholders to maximize the enhancement of both villages. I look forward to seeing these communities’ plans come to fruition in the near future.”
Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Co-Chair Bob Duffy, President and CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce said, “Geneseo and Medina truly represent all that is good about the Finger Lakes region’s smaller communities and everything that they have to offer. Many thanks to Governor Hochul for recognizing the real need to help fuel the revitalization of these beautiful communities, accelerating economic opportunities for generations to come.”
State Senator Rob Ortt said, “Western New York is on the rebound thanks to our residents and strong local leaders, as well as targeted investments like this. Funding programs to revitalize rural communities and historic downtowns like Medina will only pay dividends toward our state’s economic future. I am proud to represent cities, towns and villages along the Erie Canal, and I will work with my partners in government to ensure that these communities remain focal points in New York’s economic development plans.”
State Senator Pamela Helming said, “Congratulations to the Village of Geneseo and all those whose commitment and hard work resulted in today’s announcement. This is a wonderful day for the residents who live here, the students at SUNY Geneseo who study here, the businesses that grow here, and the tourists who travel here. When completed, this transformative investment will be obvious to anyone who comes to this historic village. I thank Governor Hochul and our state agencies for their partnership and investment in these communities.”
Assemblymember Marjorie Byrnes said, “Geneseo leaders have worked hard to create a safe, walkable, welcoming community in the downtown area. I know there are several projects the village is looking to begin and expand upon with this funding. I am confident the projects will enhance the historic downtown district to benefit residents and visitors alike.”
Assemblymember Stephen Hawley said, “The NY Forward Program funding for the revitalization of these historic villages recognizes the importance of our rural identity in New York State. Rural New York makes up over 85 percent of the geography of the state. Developing Geneseo and Medina are key to driving tourism and new business in the Finger Lakes region. These historic areas deserve this critical funding, and I am thankful they are finally getting the recognition they deserve for these beautiful communities.”
Village of Geneseo Mayor Chris Ivers said, “This award will be transformative to the Village of Geneseo. It will support our newly adopted Comprehensive Plan, and it will lead the economic redevelopment of our historic village. In doing so, it will also ignite new interest and energy in increasing the economic viability of our neighboring towns, as it serves to strengthen our region as a whole.”
Village of Medina Mayor Mike Sidari said, “The Village of Medina firmly believes that projects funded through NY Forward will be a vital step in the continuing rise of our village as a regional economic and tourism destination. This is a transformative moment for Medina, with NY Forward projects advancing opportunity for entrepreneurs, job creation, generation of tax revenue and ultimately attracting more young families and tourists.”
The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered the criteria below before recommending these communities as nominees:
The downtown should be compact, with well-dened boundaries;
The downtown is able to capitalize on prior or catalyze future private and public investment in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas;
There should be recent or impending job growth within, or in close proximity to the downtown that can attract workers to the downtown, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;
The downtown must be an attractive and livable community for diverse populations of all ages, income, gender, identity, ability, mobility and cultural background;
The municipality should already embrace or have the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life;
The municipality should have conducted an open and robust community engagement process resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives that may be included in a Strategic Investment Plan;
The municipality has identified transformative projects that will be ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of NY Forward funds; and
The municipality has the local capacity to manage the planning process and implementation of projects, including the ability to oversee contracts for awarded municipal projects.
Geneseo and Medina will now begin the process of developing Strategic Investment Plans to revitalize their downtowns. A local planning committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead these efforts, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.
The Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities to identify projects that align with each community’s vision and that are poised for implementation. Funding will be awarded for selected projects from the Strategic Investment Plan that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2023 at 11:23 am
Photo courtesy of Tim Elliott: Gov. Kathy Hochul announces a $4.5 million Forward NY grant today in Rochester for the Village of Medina.
ROCHESTER – The Village of Medina was awarded a $4.5 million state grant today following years of effort to secure major funding from the state.
The Forward NY grant was announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul today at The Theater at Innovation Square in Rochester. She highlighted investments in her executive budget for the Finger Lakes Region, and then announced a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative for the Village of Perry in Wyoming County, and then two $4.5 million Forward NY grants – for Medina in Orleans County and the Village of Geneseo in Livingston County.
She praised the officials from those communities for pushing a grand vision for their communities, and seeking the state funding to be a catalyst for a series of improvements.
“They have elected officials who believe the future could be better,” Hochul said.
The specific projects weren’t announced today. Medina is expected to form a committee that will finalize projects and cost estimates, which will then go to the state for final approval.
Hochul has frequently visited Medina in the past decade, first as a member of Congress and then as lieutenant governor before she taking office as governor in August 2021.
She mentioned today that Medina is blessed with many sandstone buildings, a Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame, the Bent’s Opera House and Railroad Museum.
She said she has been a customer at Rudy;’s Diner, Della’s Chocolates and the Author’s Note bookstore (formerly The Book Shoppe). She has attended the Parade of Lights in late November, which she joked seems to fall on the coldest day of the year.
More will be coming on the Orleans Hub on the governor’s announcement and the next steps with the grant.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2023 at 10:18 am
Gov. Kathy Hochul has invited Medina village officials to Rochester this morning as part of an announcement of state investments in the Finger Lakes Region.
Medina has applied for a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant and also a Forward New York grant for up to $4.5 million.
Hochul will make an announcement at 10:30 a.m. at The Theater at Innovation Square, 131 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604. Her presentation can be following live on the governor’s website by clicking here.
Medina has been a finalist several times before for the $10 million DRI but hasn’t been awarded any of the millions. The $10 million DRI grants are more focused to cities
The state this year is offering the Forward NY grants which are geared towards villages. Those amounts so far in other parts of the state have been for either $2.25 million or $4.5 million.
Some of the Forward NY grants announced by Hochul include $4.5 million for both Lancaster and Wellsville in the Western New York region, and $4.5 million for the Village of Cape Vincent, and $2.25 million for both the villages of Lyons Falls and Waddington in the North Country.
Hochul, during an announcement at Dunkirk on Jan. 24, said the big grants from the state are “catalysts” for private investment in the communities. The grants can jump-start projects and help finish off other efforts.
Mayor Mike Sidari of Medina previously said the village has applied and been interviewed by officials in the region and state for both the $10 million DRI and $4.5 million Forward NY. The funding with accelerate economic development, small business development, tourism and housing projects.
The village has identified potential projects. If awarded one of the grants, those projects would need to go through a final approval process with the state with more precise construction estimates.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2023 at 9:38 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Thrive Foods, new owner of Freeze-Dry in Albion, is looking to invest $5 million in the site at 111 West Ave.
ALBION – The Orleans Economic Development Agency has approved a sales tax abatement for Thrive Foods, owner of the Freeze-Dry facility at 111 West Ave. in Albion.
The company will get about a $60,000 exemption on the sales tax for building materials and machinery, equipment, fixtures and furnishings that would cost an estimated $747,724.
The EDA board on Jan. 21 approved a sales tax exemption for up to $100,000.
Thrive Foods, the new owner of Freeze-Dry, is planning to spend $5 million at the site in the next two years in a renovation of the 250,000-square-foot building and equipment upgrade.
The company anticipates 45 new jobs after three years.
“This will generate new employment opportunities and attract highly skilled labor to the area,” company said in its EDA application
There are currently 59 workers at the site at an average annual pay of $47,386, with Thrive Foods expecting 29 new jobs in first year of renovation and expansion and 16 more in second year. The new positions would be at an average of $39,000 a year to start, according to the application to the EDA filed by Sebastian Nilsson, CEO of Thrive Foods.
Thrive Foods is planning to optimize existing dryer capacity and add new dryers to boost capacity. The project will increase efficiency and add new capabilities, improve the working environment and renovate interior/exterior of the building, the company said.
The projects at the facility include:
renovations to the roof, interior offices, commercial plumbing and paving of parking lot
increase refrigeration capacity to increase number of shifts and output
upgrade equipment through improved maintenance plan
add two additional freeze dryers to improve capacity
The EDA calculated the overall benefit to the county with the facility investments and new employee wages at $7,263,305. With the sales tax abatement at $59,818, the cost to benefit ratio is 17 to 1, according to the EDA.
The Orleans County Legislature also is seeking a $675,000 grant to assist with the expansion and upgrades at Freeze-Dry in Albion. The county is seeking that grant funding from the state Office of Community Renewal. The Orleans Land Restoration Corporation, which is under the EDA umbrella, is assisting the county with the application.
