Yates County legislature shows support

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County legislature passed three resolutions at a special meeting on Thursday, March 2 before entering executive session.
Legislators discussed signing a letter of support for the Yates Community Center Congressional Direct Spending request. Legislators expressed concern that accepting federal money could come with conditions that may not be initially apparent. The legislature has already approved $2 million for the project of the $5 million budget.
Ultimately, legislators contacted Steve Griffin, CEO of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center, who assured legislators that federal support would not necessitate paying prevailing wage and that hiring local contractors is still the plan. Griffin also confirmed that additional money from the federal level is not being sought to provide resources to build a pool.
"All we're doing is trying to reduce how much the community center would have to take on as debt," Griffin said. "The strategies and concepts are still the same. We're just trying to find additional monies. The commitment from the county really heightens our ability to seek other grants."
In other business, legislators approved a letter of support for the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, which is also requesting federal support to construct a new building, and gave the green light for Lakeside Trolley, a new business expected to open in Watkins Glen this summer and may have several stops in Yates County.
The resolution for the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance states that the group has raised $750,000 and has requested appropriations of $2,250,000 for the $3 million project budget. "The new building, proposed to be located within Yates County, will provide office space for FLTA to continue its critical work for tourism, an interpretive center, community meeting/educational space, an opportunity for other organizations to have a larger presence in the region with exhibits and staff space for a potential National Heritage Area."