Darren Asper, senior vice president with Delta Development Group, told the Allegany County Committee of the Whole on June 25, 2025, that his firm has helped secure $1,875,000 in grant awards for county projects and is pursuing roughly $5,580,000 more in pending applications for a multi-component Gateway infrastructure project.

Delta Development presented the Gateway plan as four linked components: a hilltop water tank and 12-inch water main, a wastewater package plant, a wastewater collection system, and a 5,000-square-foot cultural center intended to serve as a tourism hub. “We wanna talk about things that have been successful and also things that are pending,” Asper said as he opened the presentation.

The presentation identified awarded grants totaling $1,875,000: a $425,000 HUD Economic Development Initiative (Community Project Funding) award used for fairgrounds improvements; a $100,000 Empire State Development grant for a countywide sewer study; two Appalachian Regional Commission allocations tied to IIJA funding (about $560,000 for the countywide sewer study and $740,000 for the Gateway waterline and tank); and a $50,000 CDBG Community Planning award for a countywide housing study. Asper noted those awards have already been documented in the county’s materials.

Delta listed $5,580,000 in pending requests tied to the Gateway components: a $500,000 Empire State Development County Infrastructure Grant (decision expected summer 2025) and two congressional appropriations requests advanced to conference — roughly $3,030,000 for the waterline and tank and $2,000,000 for a wastewater package plant. Asper cautioned, “Doesn't mean we have the funding today,” and said Delta will continue working with congressional and state staff to advance those requests.

Delta’s funding book in June 2025 estimated the four components’ combined cost at $14,000,000. The project team proposed a mix of federal, state and county resources and flagged secured sources (for example, the $740,000 ARC IIJA allocation designated for the water tank and water line) versus pending resources (the ARC POWER program, ESD grants, and the two congressional requests). Under the current strategy Delta presented, the county’s share could be “43% or under 50%” of total project costs, though the consultants warned that cost estimates and award amounts could change.

Luke Galien, associate with Delta Development Group, walked the committee through the Gateway schedule and an example project that Delta previously supported for the county: the fairgrounds. Galien described Delta’s role from application through post-award compliance and reimbursement for the $425,000 HUD grant used to begin paving and electrical work at the fairgrounds. “This is a reimbursement grant,” he said, explaining that the county must submit regular reports and reimbursement requests as work is completed.

On timeline, Delta offered milestones tied to anticipated award and post-award periods. If pending awards are secured, Delta projected engineering, bidding and contracting for the water tank and main could start in June 2026, with construction beginning in December 2026 and running roughly a year. For the wastewater package plant the projected construction window ran roughly December 2026–November 2027. The cultural center schedule depended on ARC POWER and other funding and was forecast into 2026–2027 for engineering and construction work.

Committee members asked about alternatives and risks. Legislator Healy asked whether Delta pursues private or foundation funding; Darren Asper said the firm focuses on government funding but can pursue private or philanthropic sources when appropriate. A legislator asked whether engineering and bidding costs are included in the $14 million estimate; Delta said those costs are included. Committee members and staff discussed using county fund balance set aside for economic development and whether bonding would be needed for local match; a county staff member said bonding can take months and will be coordinated with fiscal advisers and bond counsel if pursued.

There were questions about wastewater strategy. A committee member noted an existing 12-inch main to the site and suggested an 8-inch tie-in near the hotel site; others asked whether a wastewater package plant or a sewer tie-in would be preferable. Delta and county staff said that decision involves engineering, DEC permitting, expandability and long-term operations and maintenance and that the package plant design could be sized for later expansion.

Delta recommended continued communications with U.S. senators’ and congressional staffers — including in-person or virtual briefings during congressional recesses — and said the county team should be prepared to explain local need, economic impact and project timing. Asper said a delegation meeting in Binghamton or meetings in Washington, D.C., were under consideration after the July recess.

The presentation materials included a funding strategy table and attachments with a project schedule and maps showing the Gateway and S Curves properties. Delta cautioned the committee that estimates reflect June 2025 conditions and could change as costs, match requirements and award decisions evolve.

Next steps recorded in the presentation were continued grant submissions (including an ESD capital funds application with a July 31 deadline and an ARC POWER application in the fall), ongoing ARC IIJA compliance, and planned outreach to congressional offices. Delta said it will assist with post-award compliance, reporting and reimbursement processes should awards be made.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the Gateway project at the June 25 meeting; members directed staff and Delta to continue advancing applications and coordinating with the county’s planning, economic development and DPW teams.