LOCKPORT AND ALBION ARE AWARDED GRANTS BY NYS DEPARMTENT OF HOMES & COMMUNITY RENEWAL

Lockport Main Street, Inc. Program Manager Heather B. Peck:  “This grant will make a positive mark in this community—one that our residents and businesses can see.  Lockport Main Street is committed to the long-term success of our business community, and the renovation and revitalization of these five downtown business locations is part of that commitment.  We’re grateful to the leadership shown by Gov. Cuomo and the Office of Community Renewal in awarding this grant, and we sincerely appreciate the efforts of Mayor Michael Tucker, Sen. George Maziarz, and Assemblywoman Jane Corwin to make this grant a reality.  We also must acknowledge the strong support provided by City of Lockport Director of Planning & Development Charles Bell and the Greater Lockport Development Corp., which provided support and expertise. The GLDC has also committed to assist with financial management and administration of the program.  Special thanks to County Legislators Keith McNall, Rick Updegrove, and Tony Nemi, who were adamant about the importance of the state committing renewal funding for Lockport.  Lastly, I want to acknowledge the Board of Lockport Main Street, Inc., and particularly Board Chairwoman Charlene Seekins-Smith and members Timothy Arlington (President, Apex Consulting) and Kevin McDonough (City of Lockport Department of Community Development), who volunteered many hours meeting with business owners, taking photographs, and helping me present the state with a viable, detailed application.  It also bears noting that, as the businesses being served by this grant must also invest in renovations, the real net financial impact on downtown Lockport is a $386,400 investment.”

Lockport Main Street, Inc. Board Chairwoman Charlene Seekins-Smith:  “Three years ago, we created Lockport Main Street with one goal:  making Lockport a community where business could succeed.  Since then, we’ve initiated efforts aimed at increasing foot traffic to businesses; we’ve encouraged home-based businesses with an open-air market and holiday-themed efforts like our ‘Miracle on Main Street’ Christmastime marketplace.  All along, we applied for grants—many in the thousands and tens of thousands of dollars.  This, however, is a big win for Lockport Main Street and for Lockport.  This means that five of our businesses will carry out necessary renovations so they can continue to serve customers and continue to employ local people.  We are truly grateful to Mayor Tucker, Sen. Maziarz and Assemblywoman Corwin for being strong advocates on behalf of this grant application, and on behalf of Lockport.”

The grant, which totals $251,300, will also require $135,100 in investments from the participating businesses, resulting in a $386,400 net investment in Lockport’s business infrastructure.  The grant will rehabilitate 5 buildings in the City of Lockport (4 commercial and 1 civic), and create 3 new residential units.  The businesses and locations that will benefit directly from the grant include:

• Sullivan Insurance, 31 W. Main St.
• Lockport Family YMCA, 19 East Ave.
• Garlock’s Restaurant, 35 S. Transit St.
• Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises, 220 Market St.
• Rotten Ink, 17 W. Main St.

        Albion Main Street Alliance

Albion is celebrating being awarded a $477,000 NY Main Street grant for downtown building improvements and streetscape enhancements! The Albion Main Street Alliance (AMSA) wrote the winning grant application on behalf of the Town of Albion, and will be administering the program on behalf of the Town. $395,000 will be available for building improvements, requiring a 50/50 match from the building owners in a 3-block area. An additional $50,000 will be used for making streetscape enhancements, including new signage, vegetation and visitor information. The remainder of the grant funds will cover administration costs.

The Western Erie Canal Main Street Program

The Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor Management Plan objectives are to promote the development of a vibrant regional economy, enhance the overall quality of life throughout the region, promote natural resource conversation and the re-use of existing building and infrastructure, and increase public appreciation of the unique natural and cultural heritage resources found along the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor.  The Western Erie Canal Main Street Program is designed to meet those objectives.

Through funding provided by New York State Department of State, the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program seeks to revitalize canal communities and their traditional commercial districts within the Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor.  In 2007, the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program became the first regional Main Street coordinating program in the country and the only recognized Main Street program by the National Trust Main Street Center tm (NTMSC) in New York State.  The City of Lockport in Niagara County, Village of Albion in Orleans County, and Village of Lyons in Wayne County are the three inaugural designated Main Street communities.  A follow-on grant from the Environmental Protection Fund - Local Water-front Revitalization Program was awarded from the New York State Department of State to continue and expand the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program.

The National Main Street Center tm has been retained to assist with design of this Main Street program based on the National Main Street "Four-Point Approach": Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring and Organization.  

The municipalities of the sixteen (16) small villages and small cities along the 136 mile Western Erie Canal Heritage Corridor have been challenged by economic and physical decline of their main streets in past years.  The Main Street (NTMSC) approach advocates a return to a sense of community,  local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian friendly environment, personal service and local ownership. The NTMSC will provide technical assistance and training to communities designated as Main Street program villages by the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program.

For detailed information regarding the Western Erie Canal Main Street Program please contact Joan Delaro. 

Contacts:

Regional Program Coordinator Roxanne Kise 44 Caroline Street  Clyde, NY 14433 Phone: 315-573-1479 kise@wecmainst.gmail.com
Program Manager for the Lyons Main Street Program Jerry Ashley 70 William Street Lyons, NY 14489 Email: lyonsmainstreetprogram@gmail.com  Phone: 315-871-4220 Website: www.lyonsmainstreetprogram.org
www.lyonsmainstreetprogram.org Program Manager for Lockport Main Street, Inc. Heather Peck Historic Post Office 1 East Avenue Lockport, NY 14094 Email: mailto:lockportmainstreetprogram.com Phone: 716-434-0212 Website: http://www.lockportmainstreetprogram.com/
Program Manager for the Albion Main Street Alliance Katelin Olson 102 North Main St. - Suite 1 P.O. Box 454 Albion, NY 14411 Email: AMSA@AlbionNYMainStreet.org Phone: 585-283-4550 Fax: 585-589-7326 Website: www.AlbionNYMainStreet.org  "This program supported by the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund."