Saratoga County committee readies $150,000 economic development grant round; targets $10,000 awards, June 20 deadline

The Saratoga County Economic Development Committee on March 5 discussed details for the county—conomic development grant program, recommending a $10,000 target award amount, a June 20 application deadline and reimbursement payments from a $150,000 program budget.

Committee members and staff heard from Jason Kemp, a county staff member presenting the program, who gave a status update on current and outstanding grants and explained budget and reserve figures. "Budget amount was a hundred and 50,000," Kemp said, describing the fund available for the upcoming grant round. He told the committee that earlier program years saw different per-project award targets "originally the first year was 14,200, then it went down to 7,100, and last year, you were 10,000." Kemp said last year's round produced 18 applications totaling about $177,000, and that some applicants did not request the full award amount.

The committee discussed application timing and administration. Kemp said the application can be released once the committee sets a deadline and award parameters; last year the application was issued March 22 with a June due date. The committee asked that the deadline fall after their next town council meetings so local officials could prepare and notify constituents; members suggested a June 20 due date so award recommendations could return to the committee in July during budget season. Kemp described the reimbursement process: applicants submit receipts and canceled checks and the committee approves reimbursements; the grant awards do not go to the full board for approval.

Members raised the question of eligibility and prioritization. The committee discussed whether villages should remain eligible; Kemp noted villages began applying in the most recent round. Some members said towns and cities should be prioritized over villages because villages often have smaller tax bases; others said villages can route projects through town governments if appropriate. The committee also discussed options if demand exceeds the $150,000 allocation: reducing individual awards proportionally, setting per-applicant caps, or using reserve funds. Kemp said there is unallocated reserve built up from past years and estimated it at about $200,000, but warned that increasing participation could draw further on reserves.

Examples of projects that have received awards in recent years included downtown redevelopment in Ballston Spa, a land use update, pickleball courts in Clifton Park, a Corinth master plan, a community newsletter in Greenfield, halfmoon town hall lighting, pedestrian crossing improvements and snowmobile-club support. Kemp encouraged applicants to describe projects already underway in their application so the committee can consider them.

Next steps: the committee directed staff to issue the application with parameters submitted by the committee (a $10,000 target award and a June 20 deadline were discussed) and to return in July with award recommendations and updated budget figures. The committee also noted it could use budget-season information in September or October to propose longer-term prioritization rules for future rounds.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Feb. 6 minutes: moved and seconded; "All in favor? Aye. Opposed? That carries." Outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn: moved and seconded; "All in favor. Bye. Bye." Outcome: approved.