The Village of Sharon Springs became one of the state’s first winners of NY Forward funding Thursday, $2.5 million in grants that will go toward low-interest loans for Main Street businesses, work at Chalybeate Park, and efforts to breathe new life into Klinkhart Hall and the Sharon Museum.
Neighbor the Village of Cooperstown, will get $4.5 million for similar work, and the Village of Dolgeville in Herkimer and Fulton Counties will also get $2.5 million.
The Village of Clinton and the Town of Kirkland in Oneida County were the Mohawk Valley region’s biggest winners, $10 million in Downtown Revitalization initiative grants. (See story and more photos in this week’s paper edition.)
“I bring good news from Governor Hochul,” said Secretary of State Robert Rodriquez, taking the mic inside the crowded National Baseball Hall of Fame Theater in Cooperstown.
While this is the sixth round for the DRI grants, it’s the first-ever for NY Forward, intended to boost rural economies “and make sure no one’s left behind,” Mr. Rodriguez said.
“Governor Hochul heard you loud and clear.”
Mr. Rodriquez brought over-sized checks for the four winners.
It will be another six months until the real money, time they’ll spend defining and refining specific projects with help from the state.
“This is not the state telling you what to do,” he said. “It’s about you identifying priorities.”
Sharon Springs Mayor Doug Plummer flew up from a Florida vacation in time for the surprise ceremony–and he was still flying high.
“It’s just so amazing,” he said, accepting congratulations from neighbors and friends, both locally and from neighboring communities, beforehand.
“And the fact that Cooperstown is also a winner…we’re going to be able to do some amazing things together, all of us.”
When it was his turn at the mic, Mayor Plummer thanked his “incredible” community for coming together with almost no notice to brainstorm ideas for the application.
“We hit ‘send’ about 15 minutes before the deadline,” he said.
“And it bounced back.”
And yes, better Wi-Fi is on the village’s list of possible projects.
On Cooperstown’s list: downtown improvements, including revitalizing historic facades; improving walkability from Main Street to Otsego Lake, and helping create downtown apartment-style housing.
Dolgeville also plans to focus on its Main Street while improving access to the East Canada Creek, and create a fund to help small businesses and create child care facilities.
Both Assemblyman Chris Tague and State Senator Peter Oberacker were on hand for the event, with Assemblyman Tague introducing the speakers.
“Revitalization means increased jobs and more jobs means more opportunities and a sustainable economy for everyone,” he said.