December 2021
Choice Words LLC handled the grant writing for 13 projects that received $11.8 million in collective funding last week via the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). The awards will help fund major development projects for companies, municipalities, colleges and nonprofit organizations located in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster and Westchester counties.
Some of the projects awarded funding include the Ferari Associates North80 Development Project in Westchester ($3 million), The Plant Powerhouse Redevelopment Project in Yonkers ($2 million), Viking Industries Expansion Project in New Paltz ($1.33 million), Foster Supply Hospitality Grand Street Redevelopment Project in Newburgh ($1.25 million), Clarkson University’s North Country Innovation Hot Spot ($1.25 million), City of New Rochelle’s Complete Streets Phase IV Project ($600,375), Upriver Studios Expansion Project ($500,000) and Walkway Over the Hudson Lighting Phase III Project ($400,000). State officials announced the awarding of the grants on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The CFA is the primary conduit for state funding of not-for-profit agencies, municipal infrastructure and economic development initiatives.
“Choice Words is gratified to have written and filed 13 winning applications on behalf of so many worthy and visionary projects throughout the Hudson Valley and even one located upstate,” said Choice Words’ President Steve Densmore. “These extremely impactful projects will leverage more than $600 million in new development within our region and will catalyze many important economic development and operational initiatives.”
Thirteen of Choice Words’ clients were awarded the following amounts:
- Ferari Associates North80 Development Project in Westchester ($3 million) The North 80 Phase One Development Project will create a mixed-use “village” in central Westchester with nearly 490,000 square feet of medical offices, biomedical facilities, housing, hospitality venues, shopping, and retail. (Westchester)
- The Plant Powerhouse ($2 million) The former Glenwood Power Plant will be re-envisioned as a center for leadership, activism, and education on climate change. Redevelopment of The Powerhouse building on the site will include advanced geothermal systems, and other elements designed to make The Powerhouse entirely carbon neutral. (Westchester County)
- Viking Industries Expansion ($1.33 million) The Viking Industries Expansion Project will significantly increase capacity and efficiency by constructing and equipping a new 45,000 sq. ft. addition on the plant at 89 South Ohioville Road in New Paltz. (Ulster County)
- Foster Supply Hospitality Grand Street Redevelopment Project in Newburgh ($1.25 million) Foster Supply Hospitality will transform three long vacant, county-owned buildings on Grand Street in downtown Newburgh into a bustling hospitality complex featuring a hotel, rooftop tavern, spa, restaurants, and event space. (Orange County)
- Clarkson University’s North Country Innovation Hot Spot ($1.25 million) Clarkson University has developed a scalable model with a track record of success through CAMP, the Shipley Center for Innovation, and the Reh Center for Entrepreneurship. (North Country)
- Upriver Studios Expansion Project ($500,000) Upriver Studios will create a carbon neutral campus and a more competitive series of sound stages for film and television production projects in a 101,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Saugerties. (Ulster County)
- City of New Rochelle’s Complete Streets Phase IV Project ($600,375) The city will implement the next step of its Complete Streets Plan on a section of Brook Street by improving traffic signalization and adding ADA accessible sidewalks. (Westchester County)
- Aspire Brewery ($500,000) Aspire Brewing will transform a mostly vacant 90,000 sq. ft. commercial building in the Town of Wallkill into a micro-brewery and hospitality attraction. (Orange County)
- Walkway Over the Hudson Lighting Improvement Project ($400,000) The Walkway Over the Hudson will complete a sustainable and permanent lighting system along the pedestrian bridge by installing LED lighting in the belvederes (overlooks). (Dutchess & Ulster Counties)
- Nonno’s Garden Harlem Valley Homestead Expansion Project ($500,000) The proposed capital expansion will upgrade infrastructure, repurpose existing farm structures and undertake new construction. This will add lodging and increase programming and event capacity to transform the farm into a premier agri-tourism destination. (Dutchess County)
- Town of Saugerties Kiwanis Ice Arena Air Cooled Chiller ($269,688) The Kiwanis Ice Arena Air-Cooled Chiller Project will replace an outdated R-134a chiller with a new, more efficient and cost effective, environmentally friendly chiller that uses R717 ammonia refrigerant. (Ulster County)
- Clarkson University Dennings Point Campus Build Out ($150,000) The project will complete the Dennings Point Campus Build Out, a creative and comprehensive project that will renovate a 40,000 sq. ft. former paperclip factory to bring community revitalization and job creation to the City of Beacon. (Dutchess County)
- City of New Rochelle Climate Vulnerability Assessment ($80,000) The city will develop a climate vulnerability assessment. The assessment will prioritize the input of disadvantaged communities within the city and advance the city’s goal of creating a climate justice adaptation plan. (Westchester County)