DEC OPENS ADIRONDACK SMART GROWTH APPLICATIONS
$1 Million Available for Municipalities
New York State has opened up the application process for $1 million in grants to Adirondack Park communities, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. An official Request for Application (RFA) has been mailed to more than 100 units of local governments in the Park and has been posted on the DEC website (www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/37874.html ).
The new Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program is geared at helping Park communities develop plans that foster sustainable development, environmental protection and community livability. DEC will be assisted by the Department of State and the Adirondack Park Agency in the implementation of the program.
"The Adirondack Park is America's largest, and one of the oldest, state parks in the country, a mosaic of public and private lands. It also is the home of 130,000 permanent residents, more than 115 municipal governments and dozens of hamlets that help define the character and culture of the park," Grannis said. "The continued protection of the Park starts with the protection of its communities and residents - and this grant program will help provide the financial resources they need to invest in planning for their future."
Grannis had announced the launch of the program in July. The rapid completion of the formal application "reflected my commitment to get this grant process ready to go as soon as possible," the commissioner added. DEC has now finalized the application process and guidelines, including the following grant categories:
•n Village, Hamlet and Town Center Revitalization.
•n Sustainable Economic Development.
•n Cultural, Environmental and Natural Adirondack Resources.
The deadline for applications is Nov. 15. The Department anticipates announcing grant awards in January.
A series of workshops have been scheduled, with the assistance of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages, to brief potential municipal government applicants on the grant program. (The schedule is detailed below.)
Parties can apply for local, regional or Park-wide planning grants geared at addressing the special conditions of the Adirondack Park. Municipal- and local-government applicants are encouraged to work with higher education institutions and non-profit organizations with expertise in park-related matters. Awards, covering 100 percent of project costs, will be made on a competitive basis.
The Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program is modeled after the national "smart growth" movement, which promotes strategic planning to achieve growth that balances the need for economic development with protection of the natural and built environment. Governor Eliot Spitzer provided $2 million in the 2007-8 state budget for ``Smart Growth Funds'' and earmarked half to go to Adirondack Park communities.
"We are committed to working with local officials and other stakeholders in the Park to improve the economy and community livability in the Park and its many hamlets, villages and town centers," Grannis said.
Local officials expressed support for the initiative.
"Planning for the future is an important responsibility of any municipality, including those within the Adirondack Park," said Senator Betty Little, R-Queensbury. "Our Adirondack local governments face some unique challenges. With very limited tax bases, they sometimes lack the resources needed to turn good planning ideas into reality. This program makes available a new source of funding to help our Adirondack communities and the people they serve. I am hopeful many will seize the opportunity by applying this fall and I appreciate Commissioner Pete Grannis' and the DEC's initiative in making this funding available."
The Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages encouraged communities to apply.
"We are looking forward to working with the Department to present these workshops around the Park that will provide the attendees with the tools needed to make good strong application for smart growth grants," said Association President J.R. Risley, Inlet town supervisor. "The funding available to communities within the Adirondacks can be used to take a hard look at current issues that each town, village and county might be experiencing. It can also be used to look in to the future and plan for what will be the best for their unique situation."
Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Grants Program Public Workshops
Date Location Time
Sept. 25 SUNY ESF Ranger School 4 to 6:00 PM
257 Ranger School Road
Wanakena, NY 13695
Sept. 27 NYS DEC Regional Headquarters 4 to 6:00 PM
1115 State Route 86
Main Conference Room
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Oct. 3 NYS DEC Warrensburg Office 4 to 6:00 PM
Conference Room
232 Golf Course Road
Warrensburg, NY 12885
Oct. 4 Adirondack Museum at Blue Mt. Lake 4 to 6:00 PM
Auditorium (left of driveway)
Routes 28N & 30
Blue Mt. Lake, NY 12812
