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The Finger Lakes region has been awarded $42.6 million through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The funds will support 48 projects and leverage more than $160 million in additional public and private investments, Empire State Development officials say.
“Gov. (Kathy) Hochul’s REDCs continue to recommend proposals that will create jobs and spur new growth through a locally focused, bottom-up strategy to economic development,” says Hope Knight, president, CEO and commissioner of ESD. “By awarding state funding to projects that align with regional priorities, New York is investing in new ideas, new efforts and new developments to promote community growth throughout the state.”
The region also received another $10 million for future high-impact projects. DeAnna Burt-Nanna and Bob Duffy, co-chairs of the Finger Lakes REDC, shared their appreciation for council members’ vision and hard work.
The following are three key projects that were awarded funding:
■ Pro-housing supply fund grant: The town of Henrietta has $3.27 million allocated for the completion of an infrastructure project that will extend Fair Avenue and relocate the existing trunk sewer to the new road and run water, storm sewer, electric, and gas lines to the area to support 550 new housing units, officials say. The housing projects include senior housing and market-rate affordable units. The project also supports retail plaza, municipal recreation and community spaces.
■ Headwater Foods: With a $3 million grant, the regional food hub is expected to build a new headquarters and operations center in the city. The new facility will improve food distribution and provide cold storage and light processing to reduce spoilage, and expand and diversify markets for state farms and food businesses, ESD says. It will help transform a vacant former gas station site and increase access to affordable, healthy food in a distressed area of the city.
■ Housing development: The village of Phelps will support the construction of a housing development with a $2.88 million grant to increase housing stock by 25 percent. The site will have 144 housing units, with single-family and patio homes, and apartments.
A list of the projects across REDCs is here.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor.
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The state is trying to reach an 85% reduction in fossil fuel emissions by 2050. There is no way in 2026 that we should be funding new gas infrastructure for housing (see the Henrietta grant). Building new gas heated homes locks in climate warming pollution for decades to come. It’s mind boggling that this is part of any grant from NYS.