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Local Recipients Secure Economic Development Awards and Matching Grants In Manufacturing, Craft Brewing, Arts, and Historic Preservation
New York State recently announced a list of winners of awards through various state programs designed to spur economic growth and support New York State businesses, arts organizations and nonprofit organizations.
The Empire State Development Grants program supports capital-based economic development projects intended to create or retain jobs; prevent, reduce or eliminate unemployment and underemployment; and/or increase business or economic activity in a community or Region.
Rockland County is part of the Mid-Hudson Region, and local companies and non-profits scored a variety of awards.
The Schreiner Group, LP, a manufacturer of high-tech labels and functional components, secured a $1,500,000 grant under the Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Program toward construction and equipping a manufacturing building to support the development of new products in the manufacture of specialty labels. The expansion will incorporate updates to existing manufacturing technologies and implement new technologies such as RFID chip technology.
The Excelsior Jobs Program provides refundable tax credits to businesses in targeted industries (e.g. high-tech, bio-tech, clean-tech, manufacturing) that create net new jobs or retain jobs and make significant capital investments.
The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble won an Empire State Development Market New York (ESDMNY) Award of $120,000 and will use the funds to host and promote the Phoenix Festival, a live arts tourism special event designed to welcome visitors to experience the Hudson Valley. ESDMNY was established to strengthen tourism and attract visitors to New York State by promoting destinations, attractions, and special events.
BRIDGES, the Rockland Independent Living Center, secured a $50,000 Empire State Development Not-For-Profit Capital Grant (ESDNFP) for installation of a Sensory Room at the Palisades Center in West Nyack. BRIDGES, is a community-based, peer-driven, cross-disability, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocacy and leadership on behalf of people with disabilities. BRIDGES plans to purchase and install equipment like sensory lighting, visual stimuli, and sensory integration tools, to expand services to help children with disabilities engage with their surroundings and interact with their environment.
The Not-for-Profit Capital Grant Program supports not-for-profit organizations that provide economic and community benefits within their Region by providing matching funds for capital improvements.
Two local craft brewing companies secured grants in the ESD-CRAFT program. Two Ladders Brewing Company from West Nyack secured a $40,000 CRAFT grant for equipment upgrades. Stony Point Brewing Company secured $25,000.
The Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program supports capital-based projects intended to increase the production capacity, business infrastructure and profitability of businesses licensed to produce wine, beer, spirits, hard cider and mead by providing matching funds for equipment purchases and facility upgrades.
Two Ladders Brewing intends to establish a second location in Rockland County. It plans to invest in new, cutting-edge equipment, enabling it to expand its operations and taproom and grow its clientele.
Stony Point Brewing Company plans to invest in equipment to increase the efficiency of the current production line and give the company the technology to create additional product lines.
And, Nyack-based, John Green Preservation Coalition secured a $90,000 matching grant from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for Phase III of the rehabilitation of the historic John Green House.
The Environmental Protection Fund: Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grants Program (EPF) provides matching grants on a competitive basis for the acquisition, planning, and development of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas located within New York State.
The John Green Preservation Coalition will use funding to restore the western wall of the John Green House as part of its overall rehabilitation of the 1819 building. The existing wall will be disassembled and rebuilt using the same stones and matching replacements for those that are damaged. Together with recently completed and planned future phases, the project will restore the house to its historic appearance when it was owned by John Green, river sloop captain and transportation pioneer.
Also, the following organizations scored New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Awards for fiscal year 2024.
- Arts Council of Rockland: $30,000
- Edward Hopper Landmark Preservation Foundation: $30,000
- Garnerville Arts Center, Inc.: $25,000
- Penguin Players Ltd.: $40,000
- Strawtown Art & Garden Studio: $25,000
- Haverstraw Brick Museum: $20,000
More award announcement are expected in the coming weeks.
