Hammondsport gets $432K grant

HAMMONDSPORT—Hammondsport’s village square businesses will benefit from a $432,518 N.Y. Main Street Grant.
The Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce was the recipient of the village’s first Main Street Grant, in late August. Chamber President John Jensen said the target area for this grant is the Pulteney Square Historic District. The work will be exterior and interior modifications.
The purpose of the Main Street Grant program is to provide funds for facade renovations, interior residential building upgrades, and streetscape enhancements. The funds come from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). Funds are not used for new construction.
At the same time, participating businesses and building owners must provide a matching share. Jensen said the total funds for Hammondsport, with that share, will be $530,000. He said in Hammondsport the work will include repointing bricks, improving handicapped access, roof repairs, and renovations to rear entrances.
Jensen explained the town of Urbana approached the chamber to submit the aplication. He thought the paperwork would be looked on more favorably if submitted by the chamber. Jensen added Urbana allowed the chamber to use the town’s grant writing firm. The chamber surveyed the businesses in Hammondsport, and that was how the target area was created. The application was submitted in late April.
“Anyone could apply,” said Marybeth Hafner, chamber office manager.
Now, the chamber is checking back with businesses to see if they are still interested. Hafner explained some of the businesses within the target district area have already done some work. However, she explained the funds cannot be used retroactively.
Hafner added the chamber just got the contract for the funds, but “not everything is ironed out.”
Jensen said after the contract is signed the permitting process starts. He explained that because the buildings are within a historic district, all work will have to remain historically accurate and has to be checked. He said work probably won’t begin until next year.