Village Closes Out Major Grant

Last Saturday, the Village closed out a major project to repair flood damage and get our business community back on its feet. Last year the new Village Board found five underdeveloped grant programs-- four of which were on the verge of expiration. One of the largest was the NYS Main Street Grant program. The grant was slated for a 2008 completion but was hardly touched until last year. Without the rescue, we would have lost the entirety of the remaining money.

Due to our efforts we've been able to rescue almost all of the money for our businesses and the character of the Village. On the business side, we've provided about $150,000 in grants to over a dozen businesses. Most of this money was used to fix or finance flood repairs.

 On the other hand, over $22,000 was used on various streetscape projects to make our Village really bloom. Included in the uses of the Main Street Grant are some great projects:

- The wildflower projects
- The Creekside Avenue Pavilion and picnic tables
- The visitor's kiosk in Creekside Park with quilt squares
- The Deer Mural and Welcome to Middleburgh murals on Dan Ross' building
- New signs for parks, the pool, and to welcome people into Middleburgh

 Special thanks to all of the businesses that helped make this happen!

Village Eyes Grants

The Village of Middleburgh is aiming to continue the economic recovery since Irene. In addition to the nearly $70,000 NYS Main Street Grant extension, the Village has placed two grant applications recently. One was for $372,000 for repairs to the water systems and sidewalks on Railroad Avenue. Another was for a $99,000 federal grant for a new revolving loan fund to help existing and startup businesses. Special thanks to our VISTA partner Donald Osei-Owusu, DPW Chief Dale Nunamann, and Sheila Donegan for assisting with the projects.

Village Extends Main Street Grant

The Village of Middleburgh will be closing out its NYS Main Street Grant over the next five months. The project was awarded to the Village in 2005 for an expected 2008 completion. By 2012, after six extensions, almost none of the money meant to improve Middleburgh's scenery and provide money for local business improvements was expended. Last year there was a dash to get out about $150,000 in money to most businesses on Main Street to cover flood damage and beautification efforts and a further $20,000 for Village efforts such as signage and parks.

Upon the Village's request, almost $70,000 in unused funds will be forwarded to the Village to help with reimbursing flood damage. Of that money, about $2,500 will be used to complete the new pavilion on Baker Avenue, the dog park, and a new mural on Main Street. The rest will be granted to some of the local businesses that had already participated in the previous program  to help cover flood damage or other repairs. Without the Village's work, all of this money would have been lost.