The Village of Middleburgh is exploring new options to kickstart economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011. Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery has been working with the Americorps VISTA program to provide local governments and organizations with one year volunteers that can assist with facilitating economic recovery at no cost.
Middleburgh's VISTA partner is Donald Osei-Owusu (518-813-1953), a native of Ghana and graduate from Union College. His degree in business has been very helpful since joining the staff at the Middleburgh Village office in August 2012. Donald has been researching local grants to facilitate economic expansion. Recent grant applications that he and Mayor Avitabile have completed recent grant applications for various projects, including for new water mains, new economic development, and flood preparation. He has helped craft many of the cultural projects that are taking shape around Middleburgh. Donald has been working with the newly re-formed Middleburgh Area Business Association on how to attract more businesses while strengthening those already in Middleburgh.
Donald has helped in Middleburgh's search for a grocery store and has worked on compiling a database of local business and available commercial space. He is also revising Middleburgh's overall economic plan while cataloging the needs of flood damaged businesses. He has also aided in plans to buy the Middleburgh Fire Department a new fire truck. He has assisted all of the Village officials and will be staying with the Village through the end of August 2013.
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