Greene County economic development staff outline tourism, Brownfields and DRI small-project fund plans

Economic development staff told the Greene County Economic Development committee about staffing changes, program delays and several grant- and project-focused items that could affect local businesses and development projects.

The department introduced Jessica Dupont as its new economic and community development specialist; staff said Dupont previously worked in communications for the New York State Assembly and will be a point of contact for entry-level business assistance.

Staff reported three resolutions on the agenda related to microenterprise public hearings; two public-hearing notices contained required language errors that must be fixed, which delays the microenterprise program award process and pushes anticipated awards into early 2026 with a likely November decision on selections.

On brownfields, staff said county and Columbia County officials expect to start an EPA Brownfield Coalition Assessment grant this October to inventory contaminated sites in northern Columbia and Greene counties and move them toward redevelopment. That program had been delayed while EPA requested revisions to the project narrative.

Staff also described work on downtown revitalization initiatives (DRI/New York Forward) in Catskill and Athens. As part of the Catskill DRI, the village asked the county development corporation to sponsor a consolidated small-projects fund. Staff said they applied to administer a $600,000 fund that would pool multiple small renovation or equipment grants (for projects below typical DRI thresholds) and that the corporation could claim up to 10% of project costs for administration—about $60,000 on a $600,000 fund—if awarded. Staff said the corporation would not provide the fund’s capital up front; rather, applicants would spend on projects, submit receipts, and the program would reimburse eligible expenses after review and Housing Trust Fund Corporation approval.

Staff noted the county tourism website is slated to go dark Dec. 31 unless the legislature approves funding for redesign and hosting; the tourism director, Patty Austin, was present to answer questions about the contract and maintenance costs. County staff also described a planned satellite Greene County presence at the community college annex (a Cascale/Catskill satellite) to reduce operating costs for the First Development Board of Columbia and Greene Counties and to reallocate rent savings into programming.

Committee members asked about oversight for a DRI-administered small-projects fund, whether the county would be the subrecipient for grant compliance, and how advertising and pass-through costs were allocated in the tourism contract. Staff said selection committees would include EDC board members, meetings would be open to the public and recorded, and administrative fees offset some implementation costs. Staff committed to provide additional contract detail about advertising pass-throughs and to follow up on the timing and outreach for the microenterprise round.

Several of the program items and budget changes discussed appear on the legislature’s agenda for formal votes later in the meeting.