The Mid-Hudson awarded $82.8 million at the Regional Economic Development Council Awards

The state awarded $82.8 million - the highest amount granted to any of the 10 statewide councils - to 118 projects/initiatives that will preserve and develop the valley's "green" infrastructure and foster the continued growth of industry clusters, creating new jobs and sustaining a vibrant economy throughout the seven-county Mid-Hudson Region. The Putnam EDC commends gov. Andrew Cuomo for spearheading a fourth round of state grants, announced yesterday, that provide funding for projects endorsed by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council under the leadership of co-chairs Dennis Murray and Leonard Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D., and executive director Aimee Vargas. Specifically in Putnam County, we can celebrate the following projects and initiatives awarded funding this round: Green Chimneys School Expansion - $750,000 - This grant will support the renovation of two existing vacant buildings to add seven new classrooms to serve special needs and preschool children with high quality early education and specialized and intensive therapeutic education. Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail - $935,000 (Dutchess and Putnam) This grant supports creation of a nine-mile, off-road route that will connect the train stations and downtowns in Cold Spring, Putnam County, and Beacon, Dutchess County, with popular hiking trails in between. In addition to Scenic Hudson, partners in this extraordinary public-private initiative include the Hudson Highlands Land Trust, the two counties and four municipalities through which the trail will run, Metro-North Railroad and several state agencies. Hudson Shakespeare Festival - $71,600 - In 2015 Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival's Education and Outreach Department wil provide innovative hands-on arts education programs and outreach initiatives, increasing access to and participation in the arts. Programs include: In-school performances, workshops and residencies; Shakespeare Summer Camp; Acting Apprenticeships, Techincal Theater and Arts Internships; Shakespeare Institute & Resource Workshops. Manitoga Inc. - $16,700 - Manitoga will receive support for a series of intricate large-scale sculptures by structural artist Stephen Talasnik at Manitoga, the modernist home, studio and landscape of 20th century designer Russel Wright in Garrison. The installation is part of a new initiative that annually interprets Manitoga through bold artistic statements. Hudson Valley Opportunity Fund - $1,000,000 - (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Westcheser) Creation of a revolving loan fund by Community Capital, the SBA certified micro-lender for the Hudson Valley. Greater Hudson Heritage Network - $49,500 - (Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westcheser) Greater Hudson Heritage Network will expand the Program Coordinator position to address the increased request for assistance from the field resulting from the organizations' broadened constituent base. Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress - Regional Infrastructure Planning - $60,000 - (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Westcheser)Survey of all municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Region to assess capacity and barriers to appropriate infrastructure investment in the Region with a case study approach for the Opportunity Area. Since establishment of the Governor's Regional Economic Development Council strategy in 2011, New York State has invested more than $300 million in 350 projects endorsed by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council.