Franklin County Legislature approves $2.5 million Empire State Development grant for Enbridge natural gas expansion

The Franklin County Legislature voted unanimously on July 12 to accept $2.5 million in grant funds from Empire State Development and to amend the 2018 budget to make the money available for a natural gas expansion project.

The resolution (No. 183) authorizes the County Manager, subject to review and approval by the County Attorney, to enter into an agreement with the Franklin County Industrial Development Agency to disburse the funds to Enbridge St. Lawrence Gas. The budget amendment records the revenue in account 01-57-3787-10 and the corresponding expense in account 01-57-6420-10-4000.

Clerk Gloria J. Valone introduced the resolution without objection; Legislator Ellis moved the measure and Legislator Sherwin seconded. The motion passed with all members present voting in the affirmative.

The resolution, as recorded in the meeting minutes, does not specify the contract terms, schedule of disbursements, or project milestones; those details are to be outlined in the agreement between the County Manager, the FCIDA, and Enbridge and were not available in the transcript. The Legislature's action establishes county authorization to receive and forward the grant funding through the FCIDA in support of the stated natural gas project.

Next steps indicated in the minutes: the County Manager will execute the contract with the FCIDA after review by the County Attorney; the transcript does not list a date for disbursement or additional oversight conditions.