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Committee authorizes applications and local matches to support Gateway economic-development projects
Summary
The Ways and Means committee approved authorizations to seek STAG and ARC Power funding for Gateway-area infrastructure and a proposed Cultural Design Development Center, plus a $49,000 I Love NY award with matching county share.
Allegany County's Ways and Means committee on Feb. 27 authorized staff to pursue multiple funding opportunities tied to the Gateway area as part of a coordinated economic-development effort.
The committee approved an authorization to apply for STAG (federal infrastructure) funding to support Gateway-area infrastructure improvements, and separately supported applying for an ARC Power cultural development grant to fund a Cultural Design Development Center on IDA-owned land near the expressway exit. County staff described the cultural center as a small visitor/welcome center with possible office or training space, exhibits and space for local artisans; the IDA would be a matching fund partner on that application.
Economic Development Director Ashley Smith told the committee the I Love NY State Aid Program awarded up to $49,000 for a Gateway-related project and that the county must provide a local match in the same amount; the resolution authorized acceptance of the award and administrative signatures. Committee members asked for clarifications about what the cultural center would be used for and were shown mock-ups prepared by local college students; staff offered to bring those designs to a future Planning & Development meeting for more detailed review.
The committee also approved a grant application tied to a waterline project (a booster/tower to improve pressure for fire control and other needs) and discussed stacking multiple grants as a strategy to avoid drawing from the county fund balance for matches. Members asked staff to identify sources of any local match before construction funding is committed.
All items were approved by voice vote. Staff said they will continue to pursue external grants and will return to the board for acceptance of awards and any commitments of local matching funds.
