Cattaraugus County will receive nearly $1.5 million in funding from the most recent round of state Regional Economic Development Council grants.
Among the county projects to receive funding are:
Allegany State Park, $500,000 - Development of Allegany State Park near Salamanca, will include the expansion of existing water, sewer, power, natural gas services, lodging and other facilities. Specifically, the project will include increasing the current inventory of nine full service cottages to 37 and the development of a group camp offering a ropes course and zip line attractions.
Town of Ellicottville Regional Water Project, $268,000 - Construction of a 350,000 gallon water tank and related water transmission works to eliminate low flows and pressures in Ellicottville and Mansfield. The project will allow for job retention and growth by improving infrastructure used by existing major employers.
Gowanda Zoar Valley Gateway Park, $250,000 - The Gowanda Area Redevelopment Corporation will receive funding to initiate the final phases of restoring the former Peter Cooper Superfund Site to a usable property. The project will result in a recreational park positioned on Cattaraugus Creek, which will serve as the gateway to the State-owned Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area and conservation site.
Hollywood Theater Restorations, $420,000 - Gowanda's Historic Hollywood Theatre Ltd. will continue the restoration of "Gowanda's Historic Hollywood Theater" located in the Gowanda Village Historic District. This phase will include upgrading of HVAC and integration of the duct system into the historic architecture. Once the upgrades are complete, the remaining historic components can be completed and the Theater re-opened. The restored building will be a multi-use facility for the visual and performing arts.
"I have been proud to work with people from every part of our area including leaders in business, education, local governments, economic development and planning and others, to develop a list of job creation projects that achieve our goals of creating jobs and building a strong foundation for future growth," said state Sen. Catharine Young, R-C-I-Olean. "These grants are a culmination of those efforts."
Statewide, a total of $738 million was awarded for 725 economic development projects in every region of New York state.
"For the second year in a row, the Regional Councils have been on the forefront of rebuilding New York state's economy," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
"For too many years, top-down economic development policies have failed communities across the state and not truly invested in the unique resources and strengths of each of New York's regions. Now a new, bottom-up approach is in place that brings local communities together to chart their own economic destiny. The second round of Regional Economic Development Council awards will deliver funding for critical projects and investments in communities across our state, helping put New Yorkers back to work and rebuilding our economy."