Hello Neighbors,
We’ve extended the call for small project fund letters of interest!
The Small Project Fund is a type of NYF project that could help fund a range of improvements in a downtown, such as building improvements (e.g., facades, interior fit-out, HVAC, etc.), business assistance (e.g., permanent equipment acquisition), or public art.
For the Small Project Fund to be included in the slate of proposed NYF projects submitted to the State, it is important to document interest in it. The NYF Local Planning Committee is seeking letters of interest from business and/or property owners to show that there are property and/or business owners interested in participating in this program.
We have received a few letters, but need to show more interest if we hope to have this funded by the state. Please send a letter to show your interest and support of this fund. If you have questions, email them to: athensnyf@gmail.com.
If you have a plan for a project that you’d like to propose, please submit a letter of interest.
On athensnyf.com you can find information regarding eligibility, the NY Forward process and upcoming public engagement meetings. You can also check out the Village of Athens’ winning application and contact the team directly via email from the website.
Good morning, my name is Pat Gillespie. My wife and I have contacted the state representatives from this program. We own a home on Second Street, mixed use commercial. In the project foot print. We were told that our request for grant money to paint the front of our building did not meet the criteria for the program. I have a written estimate from a local contractor. The gentleman I spoke to, from ny forward, suggested that we add more to our proposal. Heating and electrical upgrades as well as the painting job. The state would then consider loans or grants separately from the current grant program. I was at the first meeting in the village hall. I left that meeting with the impression that building improvements in the foot print. That faced second st were part of what the grant providers requested. There is a video of that meeting available to review. Thank you for your time. Pat
If your project is under $100K, please submit a small project fund interest letter. This will help us get the find into the strategic investment plan that is currently being drafted to send to the state. I know it feels like an extra step, but at this point we need more people within the area to submit their interest/plans to make the small project fund a reality. More info here: https://www.athensnyf.com/_files/ugd/7d30c8_2e9a0c354fb74f4a90b61a45643d4638.pdf
Thanks for your reply. I’m not interested in the conditions for possible reimbursement for phase two. I will state to you again, at the 1st meeting held by the ny forward reps and the village committee. I left thinking that my project fit the stated criteria for grant consideration laid out that night. Maybe I misunderstood what was being said. Fortunately I recorded the entire meeting for posterity. When I review the video of that 1st meeting perhaps I will better understand what your project is specifically offering. Presently I’m not comfortable with the way this has been presented and later defined. I am not the only village property owner in the foot print who feels this way. Thanks again for your time.
Pat
Maybe I’m misunderstanding you. Apologies. Please feel free to email the consultant team with questions or concerns. This particular opportunity will not be a good fit for everyone.