NYS CDBG, Main St. Projects Are Revitalizing Plattsburgh
Projects are Revitalizing Plattsburgh
On May 19, Commissioner VanAmerongen, Deputy Commissioner Joe Rabito, and staff of the Office of Community Renewal visited Plattsburgh for a tour of revitalization efforts benefiting from the New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and DHCR's Main Street Program.
The visit included a stop at two companies that will receive assistance from recently announced NYS CDBG grants totaling more than $600,000. The grants will help bring more than 100 jobs and $3 million in private investment to the North Country.
The grants were awarded to Clinton County on behalf of Spencer Assembled-Rite Limited (Spencer ARL) and B3CG Interconnect, two Canadian firms seeking to build facilities in the US. The two firms are "spin-offs" which provide support and supplies to the Nova Bus assembly plant, and are locating here because of Nova's decision last year to open a manufacturing facility in the Town of Plattsburgh. Governor David A. Paterson said "Last year, when I announced that Nova Bus was coming to Plattsburgh, I said our investment in the company would pay dividends for years to come. In addition to creating jobs, Nova Bus is now helping us to bring new business ventures to our state, creating more good jobs and attracting new investment."
Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said these awards "provide an immediate benefit for Clinton County, but more importantly, they clearly demonstrate that the wise investment of state resources can lead to effective, sustainable job growth and new private investment in our communities."
Spencer ARL will lease a 42,000 sq. ft. facility in the former military base and will sub-assemble and sequence major components for Nova Bus. B3CG will lease a 20,000 sq. ft. facility and will be the cable and harness supplier for the firm.
Spencer ARL will receive $405,000 in NYS CDBG funds which is expected to leverage approximately $1.5 million in private investment. The project will create 36 new jobs with employer-sponsored health care benefits, 22 of which will be made available to low and moderate income persons.
B3CG will receive $217,000 from the NYS CDBG program, which will help in leveraging approximately $1.4 million in private investment. B3CG will create 70 new jobs with employer-sponsored health care benefits, 61 of which will be made available to low and moderate income persons.
The group also took a walking tour of downtown Plattsburgh to see the impact that the NYS CDBG and Main Street programs are having on the city. The tour began at Mayor Kasprzak' office in City Hall and ended at Irises Café with a discussion of Plattsburgh's downtown and waterfront revitalization plans and the programs that are helping the city achieve its community development goals (also see: http://www.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/Business/CommunityDevelopment).
Last Updated: 06/01/09