The village of Schoharie will put a focus on economic development and Main Street businesses with the help of nearly $50,000 in state funding announced Wednesday by the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The $49,625 grant for Schoharie is part of a total of $877,796 being appropriated to 18 applicants, all affected by last year’s flooding.
“These grants will provide much needed assistance that supplements the work of volunteer community leaders, planning professionals and others that are helping these towns and villages recover,” state Secretary of State Cesar Perales said in a news release.
Money announced Wednesday represents the second round of competitive applications submitted under the Department of State’s Long-Term Community Recovery Strategy Grant program.
The first round of grant money under the program, announced in February, provided roughly $649,000 in grants to 13 municipalities. They included Rotterdam in Schenectady County and the Schoharie County town of Blenheim, each receiving $50,000.
A Rotterdam official in February said the money would be dedicated to getting a hydrology study for the Rotterdam Junction area. The hamlet was mauled by the overflowing Mohawk River last year. Structures and topography including the old Erie Canal, drainage from the Thruway and other factors need to be explored in order to begin seeking measures to reduce the severity of flooding there.
Blenheim, a tiny town alongside the Schoharie Creek, is developing a strategy to recover from massive losses from a disaster that followed a period of declining population and economic activity that predated the flood.
According to the announcement, the grant for Schoharie will be dedicated toward developing a strategy focusing on the recovery of Main Street businesses.
“The village’s strategy will identify projects and actions to restore the Main Street economic activity in harmony with its rich natural resources and historic heritage,” the release states.
Efforts to reach local officials familiar with the plans were unsuccessful Wednesday.
Categories: Business, Schenectady County
