Farley secures $1.67M in local grants

Canajoharie, Nathan Littauer Hospital among beneficiaries

By KERRY McAVOY, The Leader-Herald

State Sen. Hugh T. Farley, R-Niskayuna, announced Friday more than $1.67 million in grants to local governments and agencies in Fulton and Montgomery Counties.

"Particularly during these times of fiscal stringency, it is important that taxpayer money is carefully invested to create jobs and preserve communities," Farley said in a news release. "These have been identified as high-value projects by people in our local communities."

In Montgomery County, grants have been awarded to the village of Canajoharie and city of Amsterdam.

In Fulton County, grants were awarded to the Johnstown Water Department, Fulton County Economic Development Corporation, Fulton-Montgomery Community College and Nathan Littauer Hospital.

The largest of the grants will be for the village of Canajoharie. Farley secured $500,000 for rehabilitating the downtown area to attract more tourists and shoppers to the area. The grant also will be used to diversify the local economy to prepare for the closing of Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp.'s village facility.

Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville is to receive $250,000 to expand the emergency room, completely renovate the maternity unit and acquire new radiology equipment.

Littauer Vice President of Development Sue Kiernan said she had just recently learned about the funding and was still trying to absorb the news.

She said a request was put in last fall to Farley's office for help with the planned renovations. She said there is never a guarantee state funding will come through, and she was pleased the hospital received the grant.

Kiernan said the funds are part of a $16 million strategic plan to upgrade technology, equipment and facilities at the hospital.

"These will all lead to better patient care," Kiernan said.

Canajoharie officials cheered the news of a half-million-dollar grant coming their way.

"This is certainly a step in the right direction," said Canajoharie Village Trustee Tom Grainer.

He said Farley's announcement was the first confirmed offer of help for the village to offset the losses expected due to Beech-Nut's move.

Deputy Mayor Jeff Baker said the money was a nice surprise.

"It's great that we receive any financial assistance, especially with the situation we're in right now," Baker said.

Grainer said village officials have been asking about getting grant money for some time now, but they had not previously seen anything concrete.

"We've been told Canajoharie will be taken care of," Grainer said. "This is just one step forward."

Beech-Nut, part of the Swiss-owned Hero Group of companies, is building a 580,000-square-foot facility on Route 5S in the town of Florida. The company plans to close the downtown Canajoharie facility as well as one in Fort Plain. Production is slated to begin at the Florida Business Park plant in fall 2009.

Canajoharie already has started rehabilitating storefronts in the downtown area. The village, along with the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission and Crawford & Stearns architects, have competed renovations of six building facades, and work is now under way at Mercato's Restaurant.

Grainer said village officials will likely discuss the matter at their next board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The other local state grant awards announced Friday are as follows:

$250,000 to the Fulton County Economic Development Corp. for the second phase of conversion of the former Estee Middle School into apartments.

$250,000 to Fulton-Montgomery Community College to replace 40-year-old classroom equipment such as desks and chairs.

$350,000 to the Johnstown Water Department for construction of a new covered water tank at its reservoir in order to meet federal and state water quality standards.

$75,000 to the city of Amsterdam for improvements to the stadium and ballfield at Shuttleworth Park.

Farley previously helped secure a $50,000 state grant that was used to construct a new farmers market pavilion on Elm Street in Gloversville. The senator is expected to be present for a grand opening ceremony at the pavilion at 9:30 a.m. today.

Kerry McAvoy covers Montgomery County. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com.