State announces local economic grants

YATES COUNTY -- New York state's 10 economic regions will divide more than $700 million in state economic development funding.
The money will support hundreds of local economic development projects including private company expansions, new start-up businesses, local higher education programs and workforce development initiatives.
The funding was announced Thursday in Albany at an event that attracted hundreds of local leaders and economic development officials from around the state. Gov. Andrew Cuomo told the crowd the funding is a key part of his administration's efforts to reverse decades of economic decline in upstate New York.
"For many years we were fighting the tide," said Cuomo. "Now it's coming back our way."
Five regions were declared "top performers" and received extra money this year. They are the Finger Lakes, the capital region, New York City, the Mohawk Valley and the mid-Hudson Valley. The Finger Lakes region received $80.5 million supporting 97 projects and the Southern Tier was awarded $60.4 million supporting 63 projects.
In Yates County:
• $1,000,000 went to Keuka College for the Dahlstrom Student Center transformation. "Keuka College will renovate and expand the Dahlstrom Student Center into a light-filled, contemporary complex that will be the focus of student life on the campus."
• $679,800 to the village of Penn Yan for water main improvement. "Funds will be used to install water mains on Sheppard Street, Johnson and Myrtle Avenues, plus hydrants, line valves, a railroad crossing boring, and other appurtenances."
• $100,000 went to Keuka College for waterfront development. "Keuka College will develop the waterfront on Keuka Lake at the college for public open space including a promenade, swimming beach, outdoor classroom and a performance venue."
• $24,000 will go to the village of Dundee for wastewater treatment plant improvements. "The village of Dundee will complete an engineering study to evaluate current and projected capacity for removal of total nitrogen and phosphorous. The study would also evaluate alternative effluent disinfection methods."
In Schuyler County:
• $1,091,500 will go to the Project Seneca strategic planning and implementation in Schuyler County. "Schuyler County will prepare a regional strategic plan for Watkins Glen and Montour Falls and implement projects identified in the Watkins Glen local waterfront revitalization program. Capital projects include the rehabilitation of Clute Park bathhouse, Catharine Valley Trail connector extension and enhancements at Clute Park and Montour Falls Marina."
• $415,700 to the village of Watkins Glen for Clute Park facilities. "Clute Park is 35 acres with ball fields, ball courts, BBQs, picnic tables, skate park, pavilion, parking, beach, refreshment stand, and bathrooms/comfort station. The current facility is deteriorating from 50 years of use. The new facility will be designed and constructed for year-round use. The park is used by 70,000 visitors annually."
• $350,000 for the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District for Schuyler County multi barrier phase III. "The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District will purchase materials needed to stabilize streams and road ditches and repair and replace infrastructure. The project will create habitat, and prevent erosion/sedimentation and the associated nutrient deposition in nearby streams and lakes."
• $250,000 to Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) for the Schuyler County Business Park Ultra Premium Shared Wine Facility. "Fagan Engineers Land Surveyors P.C. will create an ultra-premium wine production, warehousing and distribution facility that will focus on exports across the United States and internationally."
• $150,000 for Watkins Glen International racing promotions. "Watkins Glen International will utilize funds to engage in a marketing plan designed to attract millennial travelers from Canada and Pennsylvania to the NASCAR weekend in Watkins Glen."
• $119,000 for the village of Montour Falls Project Seneca Quality of Life Catharine Valley Trail connector and bridge. "This project will provide a create a pedestrian bridge over the Catharine Valley Trail system, helping create a multi modal system for bicyclists and pedestrians, connecting to the village parks in Montour Falls from the trail, and creating safer access for pedestrians across NY Route 14 on the state trail."
• $100,000 to the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District for a total maximum daily load nutrient reduction and habitat improvement project. "The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District will replace culverts on Stillwell Road on Spring Brook. The project will enhance native brown trout population and reduce sedimentation and nutrients going to Cayuga Lake."
• $50,000 for the town of Dix to fund a water and sewer district extension study. "Funds will be used to complete a public infrastructure preliminary engineering report."
• $20,000 to the town of Reading for a inflow and infiltration study. "The towns of Reading and Dix will complete an engineering study to identify sources of inflow and infiltration to the village of Watkins Glen WWTP."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.