Local firms welcome year-end grants TRI-COUNTY AREA--Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced more than $6,200,000 in community development funding for Yates and Schuyler County along with the village of Hammondsport. The awards are from the latest round of the state's regional economic development initiative. Some of the larger grants included: Village of Dundee, $1,268,000 for their wastewater project, $500,000 for the addition of a 300-seat conference center at the Hampton Inn in Penn Yan and $270,000 for the Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake Watershed Nine Element Plan (awarded through the town of Geneva). The Nine Element Plan will address deteriorating water quality conditions, high nutrient levels, and occurrences of harmful algal blooms. The plan will identify the quantity and source of pollutants, determine water quality goals, define pollution reductions needed to meet the goals and recommend actions or best management practices needed to improve water quality.

The village of Hammondsport was awarded a $1,035,000 grant to develop a new collection system for wastewater from downtown properties.

Cuomo said, "Regional-based economic development is vital for maintaining New York's thriving, prosperous economy. I congratulate all of the winners of this year's REDC awards and look forward to working together to build a stronger New York for generations to come."

The awards for Yates County include:

Abtex Corporation, Dresden, manufacturing modernization

Through the installation of new equipment and process optimization Abtex will be adding several technical positions while looking to offer new products and expand their market share.

Amount: $100,000

Keuka Lake Hotel, LLC, Keuka Lake Conference Center at the Hampton Inn

Hampton Inn Penn Yan will construct a new 300 seat banquet/conference addition on Keuka Lake. The facility will be improved with a new kitchen, separate lounge/bar area, meeting rooms and a fitness center.

Amount: $500,000

Village of Dundee, village wastewater treatment plant and sewer improvements and disinfection

The village of Dundee will make improvements to its wastewater treatment plant, including installing a sequencing batch reactor system with provisions for biological nutrient removal, including phosphorus. This project will improve the water quality of Big Stream and Seneca Lake and address a possible source of harmful algal blooms.

Amount: $268,000

Village of Dundee, village wastewater treatment plant upgrades funds will be used to upgrade the village wastewater treatment plant.

Amount: $1,000,000

Village of Penn Yan, village wastewater treatment plant will conduct a complete engineering report to add disinfection to the wastewater treatment plant process. The study will investigate implementing ultra-violet disinfection and disinfection with chlorine.

Amount: $5,600

Yates County

Countywide Water,

Yates County will explore the feasibility of forming a unified water system cooperative of non-community and private water producers into a consolidated county-wide public water supply system to ease operations and promote economic growth.

Amount: $22,500

Schuyler County

Aprile Ventures LLC

Glamping, Watkins Glen

Aprile will develop a world-class glamping destination and craft beverage venue. As part of its multi-regional strategy, the "Glamping at Watkins Glen" project will support tourism, enhance the outdoor experience for visitors, and promote awareness of the abundance of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and resources that New York has to offer.

Amount: $385,189

Damiani Wine Cellars

Shared Wine Facility

Damiani Wine Cellars (DWC) will grow three businesses (DWC, Osmote and Nine-Four wineries) by increasing shared wine production/storage capacity, and vineyard/farming capacity. A 15,000-case production facility along with storage is in the engineering phase and will be located on property owned by DWC in Hector to allow each company to increase production and storage of cased goods. Additional equipment will be purchased for the new facility.

Amount: $550,000

Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District

Cayuga Lake Watershed streambank and road ditch stabilization

The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District will stabilize 2,000 feet of streambanks and 3,000 feet of roadside ditches in the Spring Brook and Taughannock Creek watersheds of Schuyler County, both of which directly outlet to Cayuga Lake. The project will improve water quality by reducing sediment and nutrients entering the waterbodies from erosion, including phosphorus that may lead to harmful algal blooms.

Amount: $284,225

Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District

Schuyler County streambank and road ditch stabilization

The Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District will stabilize over 3,000 feet of streambanks and 5,000 feet of roadside ditches and construct one retention pond in Schuyler County. The project will reduce flooding and erosion/sedimentation in waterbodies, including a decrease in phosphorus that may lead to harmful algal blooms.

Amount: $350,000

Town of Hector, Waterfront revitalization program

The town of Hector will develop a local waterfront program for its Seneca Lake waterfront. The development of the LWRP will focus on guiding future development, protecting water quality, enhancing access to recreation, addressing watershed management issues, and promoting economic revitalization.

Amount: $82,500

Town of Orange, Municipal Park

The Town of Orange will create a new park located adjacent to the town hall to include a pavilion with picnic tables, a playground, lighting, and access to potable water. This new park will serve as the community gathering place.

Amount: $18,546

Village of Montour Falls

The Village of Montour Falls will complete Climate Smart Communities certification actions related to planning, analysis, and policy development that focus on three objectives: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in both government operations and in the community, assessing climate vulnerability, and producing educational materials that will assist other Schuyler County communities with climate change preparedness.

Amount: $8,998

Village of Montour Falls, wastewater improvements

funds will be used to construct a new wastewater pump station and force main system in Montour Falls.

Amount: $1,000,000

Village of Watkins Glen, water system study

funds will be used to complete a water system evaluation and preliminary engineering report.

Amount: $50,000

Watkins Glen International

Out-of-State Traveler Campaign 2019

Watkins Glen International will create and promote a marketing plan to attract out-of-state travelers to the Southern Tier's largest weekend sporting event, NASCAR at The Glen.

Amount:

$150,000

Watkins Glen International, Inc.

Pretreatment for Watkins Glen International: Watkins Glen International (WGI) will construct additional wastewater storage capacity at its facility. The additional storage will manage wastewater generated by large events.

Amount: $220,000

Steuben County

Village of Hammondsport

The village of Hammondsport will construct a new gravity collection system within their business district to provide wastewater collection and treatment for approximately 45 parcels that have inadequate onsite septic systems. The project will improve the water quality of Keuka Lake.

Amount: $1,035,000