By Patricia Breakey
Delhi News Bureau
Gov. David Paterson recently announced
that $500,000 in state grants
is available for six towns and villages
along the Route 28 corridor for “smart
growth” capital improvement projects.
Locally, the funding is available for
the towns of Andes and Middletown,
as well as the villages of Fleischmanns
and Margaretville.
The funding is targeted for capital
improvement projects that apply the
principles of smart growth within the
Central Catskills, officials said. Smart
growth promotes development in historic
hamlets and aims to enhance the connection
of residents and visitors to the
area’s exceptional natural resources.
Examples of projects that are eligible
for funding include pedestrian
and streetscape amenities such as sidewalks,
benches, and parks, as well as
facade improvements, reuse of abandoned
buildings and signs.
“This is great news for these Catskill
communities,” Peter Manning, Catskill
Center regional planner said Monday.
“It’s a unique funding opportunity,”
Debra DeWan, Catskill Center interim
director, said. “These meetings will
give representatives of municipalities
and nonprofit organizations a chance to
talk to people from the state DEC about
the grants.”
“The Route 28 Corridor is integral to
the Central Catskills’ sense of place,”
Manning said. “The state’s given the region
a real boost, and it’s clear they are
a key partner in helping communities
preserve what makes the Catskills special
while wisely accommodating land
use change.”
Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope,
said the grants will help the communities
plan for sustainable development.
“The natural resources and cultural
heritage in our region are primary components
that sustain and grow the tourism
economy,” Bonacic said in a media
release. “Protecting (the region) while
promoting economic development opportunities
is a win for residents and
visitors alike.”
Bonacic said that the grants, a minimum
of $40,000 each, will be administered
by the DEC in partnership with
the Department of State.
Applications must be postmarked no
later than June 20 and hand-delivered
applications must be received by 4 p.m.
that day.
To obtain application forms or for
more information, visit the DEC’s website
at www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/37874.html.
