A plan to create a business incubator at the Sanford Clock Tower in Amsterdam NY, took a major step forward yesterday. A $500,000 grant to renovate the sixth floor of the building was one of many announced yesterday by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as part of $700 million in total awarded to NY communities through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
Earlier this year, Brett McCarthy, co-owner of the building, outlined the plan to turn the former Coleco offices on the sixth floor into a space that will offer shared work spaces, a reception area, a conference room, and other assistance to business start-ups.
In addition to the funds for renovation, the city received $200,000 to establish a microenterprise program which will be used to issue grants of $5,000 to $25,000 to businesses located within the city. Although participation in the incubator at the Clock Tower is not required to receive a grant, Montgomery County Economic Development Specialist Danielle Whelly said earlier in the year that she expects the two programs to compliment each other. The program will be administered by the Montgomery County Business Development Center.
A $500,000 grant was also announced for the Amsterdam Industrial Agency to upgrade the electrical infrastructure at the Amsterdam Industrial Park in order to accommodate the increased energy needs of tenants of the park.
A $62,000 grant was awarded for the construction of the John Sampone Senior Memorial Park on the city’s south side.
Other notable projects in the area include a $500,000 grant to the Gloversville Public Library for various construction projects, a $500,000 grant to renovate the Parkhurst Basefield Field in Fulton, which is known as the oldest baseball field in continuous use, and $1.5 million grant for Montgomery County to expand the Flordia Business Park on Route 5s.
Click here to view the full list of projects awarded funding.
