Committee endorses $50K fund

Money to help with economic development

By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-Herald

JOHNSTOWN - A Fulton County Board of Supervisors committee Wednesday endorsed establishing a $50,000 Economic Development Fund as a county capital project for 2010.

The Economic Development Committee endorsed the request, which came through the county Planning Department. The idea originally was recommended by Fulton County Economic Development Corp. Executive Vice President Jeff Bray as a followup to the county's 2007 Economic Summit.

"I think it's something we should probably do," said committee Chairman Lee Hollenbeck. "I think it's well worthwhile."

It was originally suggested the county set aside $100,000 for an Economic Development Fund to develop new marketing and promotional initiatives, as well as help finance economic development activities. The full county board declined to approve the fund last year.

"The bottom line is that it would be a fund that would be controlled by the Board of Supervisors," said Planning Director James Mraz.

He noted the amount of the proposed fund has been lowered from $100,000 to $50,000.

Historian's report

In his report to the committee, county Historian Peter Betz said the Microtel on Route 30A has worked with local historians to present some large prints of scenes from Johnstown's past.

"I believe all the artwork has been done for the Microtel lobby," he said.

Betz said he and Johnstown Historian Noel Levee will be working on text for the motel's historical displays.

Continuing his report, Betz said he attended meetings of the Mohawk Valley Museum Consortium June 9, and the Western Frontier Symposium June 11. He also spoke to the Edinburg Historical Society June 17 on the topic, "What Does A County Historian Do?"

On Tuesday afternoon, Betz said he attended the dedication of the new Parkville historic marker with Northampton Historian Gail Cramer.

For more information, see the Living section of The Sunday Leader-Herald.

Betz said it was the first of four markers proposed to be erected this summer, the others being in Johnstown, Perth and Broadalbin.

Betz said he is working with Levee on language for a new marker honoring Talmadge Edwards - the first person known to have made and sold gloves and mittens in the county, about 1808.