Nearly $83 million will flow to the Capital Region through the latest round of Regional Economic Development Council awards, and nearly 30 projects in Albany County nabbed funding. Most of them focused on highlighted projects, but several local priorities were also granted funding.
Progress along the Albany County Rail Tail will continue, with $1 million awarded to help construct a 5.5-mile portion of the trail from the City of Albany to the Town of Bethlehem. The funds will be used towards the final design and construction of the pathway, which has been a recent priority for county officials after opening a new 3-mile section of the trail in December through the Village of Voorheesville and Town of New Scotland last month.
Mary Rozak, spokeswoman for the county executive, said completing the trail from Albany to Bethlehem would require around $3.5 million, so efforts to obtain additional grant funding will continue, along with trail partners raising funds.
“As design and construction is outlined, it will be prioritized (by) what makes sense to use the (REDC funding) for to maximize results,” Rozak said. “Albany County Executive Dan McCoy is thrilled that the grant money is going to help with a project that has been underway for many years — a project that is critical to our tourism and critical towards our conservation, preservation and open space efforts.”
The county Rail Trail will stretch 9.3 miles once completed and encompass approximately 117 acres.
“That would just be an incredible distance and an incredible attraction not only for residents, but (also) for visitors to the area,” Rozak said.
Expected outcomes of completing the trail are improved mobility and economic opportunity for people that do not drive, providing better option for commuters traveling on foot or by bicycle, reducing emissions and improved economic activity along the trail corridor.
The Albany Institute of History and Art won three grants totaling $171,000, which will help renovated its facility and market its attractions.
The Institute was awarded $100,000 to conduct a restoration project at the Rice House and Rice House Annex. The buildings have a façade of yellow bricks with “unusually fine” mortar joints and an “elaborate embellished cornice,” and the project will prevent these elements from reaching a critical amount of deterioration. The remaining funds would be used for two marketing campaigns to attract visitors to “The Mystery of the Albany Mummies” exhibit.
The Palace Performing Arts Center received a $76,500 grant to convert to digital projection, which will allow the arts venue to accommodate specific technical needs of some live performances and allow for new film screening opportunities and festivals.
Tech Valley High School was awarded $1.5 million towards costs of relocating its facilities to leased space in the Zen Building at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering campus in Albany. The grant would go toward interior fit-up costs, which includes purchasing new equipment for its school and Children’s Museum.
Regulars of the Menands Farmers Market will be pleased with the $100,000 awarded to demolish an antiquated building and add additional space to the market. There will be 5,000 square foot additional constructed to the Capital City Produce Building and increase the amount of products offered.