Schoharie County and Cobleskill officials were told Friday that everything is falling into place for the big expansion at Howe Caverns though it may take until next month to get federal funding to extend water and sewer services to the caverns.
Howe Caverns is in the process of adding a new gemstone building, a three-season banquet facility, a zip line and mountain coaster in addition to a state-of-the-art dinosaur canyon.
Alicia Terry, the head of the county planning department, said the zoning applications are all in the process of being approved for the project. Officials, though, were not successful in getting $2.57 million in grant funding to extend water and sewer lines to the caverns.
The original grant application was submitted in December, Ms. Terry said.
Planning department officials are getting ready to submit another grant application, in the names of both the village and town of Cobleskill, to the Economic Development Administration. The application deadline is March 18, she said.
Extending the water and sewer lines may cost $8 million.
Aside from the grant setback, the project is progressing and a ribbon-cutting is planned for May 18.
“Some people said it would never happen,” said Cobleskill Supervisor Tom Murray, “but it’s here and it’s moving on.”
Middleburgh Supervisor Dennis Richards said a meting between county, local, state, and federal officials is being planned, possibly for May, to get everyone on board on what the project entails and its possible impact. The governor or a representative will be invited to the meeting.
“They need to know how important this project is to the county and the state,” Mr. Richards said.