Two local properties will benefit from
\nstate funds that will help prepare them for
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced
\n$10 million in Brownfield Opportunity
\nAreas (BOA) grants for 26 communities
\nthroughout the state.<\/p>\n
Brownfields are dormant properties
\nwhere the presence or potential presence of
\ncontamination has impeded site redevelopment,
\nturning the properties into economic
\nand environmental drains on localities.
\nBOA grants provide funding for municipalities
\nto implement revitalization strategies
\nthat are necessary in order to redevelop
\nimpacted sites.
\nOnce redeveloped, brownfield sites become community assets that can attract businesses, jobs, and ultimately expand the local tax base.<\/p>\n
Grant awards went to:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Town of Fort Edward: Champlain Canal Implementation Strategy, received the sum of $254,250. The town will complete an implementation strategy to spur investment in a 500-acre industrial park located on the Champlain Canal, characterized by significant vacant acreage, existing industries and the Hudson River dredging dewatering facility.<\/p>\n
\u2022 City of Glens Falls: South Street Revitalization Plan, received $124,000. The Greater Glens Falls Development Corp. will complete a revitalization plan for an area that includes 45 acres and 20 brownfields or vacant sites in the central portion of the Glens Falls downtown business district to spur investment for mixed use projects, new housing and to create jobs.<\/p>\n
“Brownfield redevelopment is essential to encouraging growth in distressed communities throughout the state,” Cuomo said. “These grants make that possible by creating opportunities to turn dormant sites into vibrant properties that attract jobs and private investment – in the end helping to revitalize once-blighted areas.”<\/p>\n
The BOA program helps set the stage for combined public and private investment in brownfield redevelopment. The Implementation Strategy portion of the program, which is frequently supported by BOA grants, is designed to establish priorities for site redevelopment and recruit developers and outside investors to the project, state officials said. More specifically, BOA grants have supported activities that include investigations of site contamination conditions; environmental impact assessments; economic and market studies to determine the best use of brownfields and vacant sites; redevelopment plans for strategic sites; marketing to attract developer interest; public forums and other opportunities for community participation; and other actions to spur investment, clean-up, and redevelopment related to brownfield sites.<\/p>\n
State officials said that on average, a redeveloped brownfield site has the potential to create up to 91 jobs through clean-up, construction, and new businesses. Studies have shown that approximately every dollar of public investment spent on brownfield redevelopment leverages up to $8 in total investment through job creation, wages, and taxes. Additionally, redeveloped brownfields have increased property values by between 5 and 15 percent within a quarter mile of the redeveloped site.<\/p>\n
“The New York Department of State’s BOA grants provide municipalities affected by brownfields with a unique opportunity for growth and development,” said New York Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales. “The Department works in close partnership with local communities to plan and realize a vision for redevelopment that will advance economic growth, enhance the landscape and improve the environment.”<\/p>\n
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens said the state’s brownfields program “is cleaning up contaminated sites, protecting public health and the environment, and returning abandoned properties to productive use.<\/p>\n
Gov. Cuomo recognizes that environmental projects can help to attract businesses and jobs, and his support for the brownfields program demonstrates his commitment to building stronger, healthier communities across New York state.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Two local properties will benefit from state funds that will help prepare them for development. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced $10 million in Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) grants for 26 communities throughout the state. Brownfields are dormant properties…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[66,87,91,118,122],"yoast_head":"\r\n