The unveiling of a grant program that could transform Cobleskill will take place next Thursday, the 23rd.
Cobleskill Partnership Inc., the downtown improvement group, will explain the Lee-Hodge Community Grant program, which will provide funds to businesses, homeowners and not-for-profits for years to come.
Open to the public, the meeting will be at the Cobleskill Firehouse at 6:30pm.
The Sterling Insurance Company Foundation last month gave $100,000 to CPI, and CPI will provide grants from the interest earned from the invested donation.
“The Sterling Foundation is incredibly generous, and we’re truly grateful for what they’ve done,” said CPI’s Chris Guldner, who’s worked on the grant parameters.
The Foundation donated the $100,000 because Cobleskill’s “been so good to us for more than 100 years,” Steve Harris, Foundation chair, said last month.
At Thursday’s meeting, Mr. Guldner and others will describe the Lee-Hodge grant program and also discuss CPI’s impact on Cobleskill over the organization’s 28-year history.
CPI will provide $5,000 in grants this year, with the intent being to make Cobleskill a better place to live, work and visit.
“We’ve got the base to get started,” Mr. Guldner said. “It will be ongoing, and the community can look forward to this every year. It’s exciting.”
With a total of $5,000 to give away, grants may seem relatively small, but they can still make a difference, he added.
“They’re significant in many ways,” Mr. Guldner said. “Even $500 or $1,000 can make a difference on whether you start a project.”
He’s hoping for a large turnout, not only to hear about grants and CPI, but also to offer ideas.
“There will be a question-and-answer period, and we want feedback about how we can better manage this and help Cobleskill,” Mr. Guldner said.
The Lee-Hodge grants are named after Henry Lee and Blair Hodge, two friends, business partners and Main Street store owners who did much for Cobleskill.
CPI’s annual meeting will follow the grant presentation. President Lucas Fiedler will outline CPI events for the year, take questions and invite new CPI members.
“The more hands we have, the less work there is for everyone,” Mr. Fiedler said.