Economic program focus is on Dundee

PENN YAN—The new micro-enterprise program, available in Dundee, was the focus of the most recent Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) meeting. Empire Zone Coordinator Ryan Hallings outlined some of the projects during the meeting of the group’s board of directors Aug. 19. Hallings said there have already been eight inquiries and five applications are out. A disc jockey service and Windmill food vendor are some of the wide range of projects that are being considered.
Applications may be made until Sept. 7 for the program which offers up to $3,000 on a 50 percent loan, 50 percent grant basis. Hallings said projects will be ranked by employment impact. The program grew out of the health improvement project begun nearly two years ago which includes the village of Dundee and the towns of Barrington and Starkey.
Dundee Foods in Dundee was also on the agenda. Steve Griffin, executive director of FLEDC, said he is continuing to work with LiDestri Foods, owner of the company, as they grow closer to moving out of Dundee. He said they want to do right by Dundee and are trying to get the building filled.
The third item related to the southern portion of Yates County was discussion of a request from Dundee resident Fran Willis for funding assistance for the upcoming Scottish Festival in Dundee slated for Sept. 18. The money would be used for marketing and general development of the festival. Hallings said this is the first year of the festival, calling the concept, “Kind of neat.” He said the community is behind the event. The board agreed to give up to $3,000 from pipeline funds in response to the request. Funds will be channeled through the organization sponsoring the health improvement project. Board member Tim Dennis said he would like to see a statement containing a budget and a report following the event.
In other business: Griffin said FLEDC is continuing to get requests across the board. He said loan requests continue to pile in for both agriculture and revolving loans.
The board approved a loan for a financial services business totaling $7,500. The business is expected to create one and one half jobs and possibly a second full-time job in 2011. Funding will come from the Entrepreneur fund and includes a personal guarantee for the funds.