December 2017
NEW PALTZ – New Paltz-based Choice Words LLC handled the grant writing for nine projects that received $7.3 million in collective funding this week via the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). The awards will help fund major development projects for companies, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations located in Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester counties.
Some of the projects awarded funding include the Kingstonian Redevelopment Project ($2 million), Hyde Park Downtown Infrastructure Project ($1.5 million), Tuxedo-Sloatsburg Corridor Revitalization Project ($1 million), Hutton Brickyards Re-development Project ($1 million), City of New Rochelle’s Complete Streets Project ($804,000), and Mount Saint Mary Campus Revitalization Project ($500,000). State officials announced the awarding of the grants on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The CFA is the primary conduit for state funding of not-for-profit agencies and economic development initiatives.
“Choice Words is gratified to have written and filed nine winning applications on behalf of companies, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations located in five Hudson Valley counties,” said Choice Words’ President Steve Densmore. “These extremely worthy projects will bring $7.3 million into our region and will catalyze many important economic development and operational initiatives.”
Nine of Choice Words’ clients in five counties were awarded the following amounts:
- Kingstonian Redevelopment Project ($2 million) to help fund a $48 million mixed use private development in the City of Kingston’s Stockade District (Ulster County).
- Hyde Park Downtown Infrastructure Project ($1.5 million) The Town of Hyde Park will construct a downtown sewer system to allow for economic growth in the area into a mixed use walkable community. (Dutchess County);
- Tuxedo Sloatsburg Corridor Revitalization Project Phase II ($1 million) includes expansion of 7 Lakes Inn, creation of a bike shop adjacent to Harriman State Park with access to Sterling Forest trails, transformation of a long-vacant grocery store into a mixed use space and significant landscaping to showcase the Historic Stewart farm (Orange-Rockland Counties);
- Hutton Brickyards Redevelopment Project ($1 million) to redevelop a significant portion of the City of Kingston’s long underutilized waterfront. This project would build upon North Street Brick Works’ successful efforts to reimagine this former industrial site as an entertainment and community market venue. (Ulster County);
- City of New Rochelle’s Complete Streets Project ($804,000) to reduce travel lanes on Quaker Ridge Road from four to two; create a dedicated bicycle lane and sidewalk on each side of the street; create new high visibility crosswalks; and implement work on North Avenue including parking, signalization, and changes to traffic flow for the purpose of reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled. (Westchester County);
- Mount Saint Mary Campus Revitalization Project ($500,000) includes renovations to its Dominican Center, existing campus dormitory, the Schools of Business and Nursing, Aquinas Theater and improvements to its athletic fields. (Orange County);
- Walkway East Entranceway Visitor Improvement Project ($405,000) The Dutchess Welcome Center will be built at the entry way to the Walkway in the City of Poughkeepsie. (Dutchess County);
- Arc of Westchester Direct Support Professional Training ($80,900) The Westchester County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc will provide “Interactional Supervision” training to enhance the skills and success of the paraprofessionals who are typically less experienced in participating in a supervisory relationship. (Westchester County);
- Starling Productions, Inc. (DBA TMI Project) ($45,000) TMI Project will hire a new full-time Director of Marketing and Communications position to support marketing, outreach, and public relations, transitioning the organization from a regional live storytelling organization to an international multi-media storytelling hub.