Four Cazenovia-area businesses last week were awarded more than $1.8 million in state grant funding by the New York State Regional Economic Development Council. The funds will go towards the creation of a new Cazenovia hotel, the expansion of an existing Cazenovia vineyard, the expansion of a Cazenovia restaurant and inn and the transformation of a commercial building in Nelson into an agri-tourism-based destination.
The awards, announced Dec. 11 in Albany, were part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s regional economic development council initiative, which offers capital grant funding for capital-based economic development projects intended to create or retain jobs; prevent, reduce or eliminate unemployment and underemployment; and/or increase business or economic activity in a community or region.
The Central New York region, which was named a Top Performer Awardee, received $80.2 million in state aid for 85 total development projects.
In the Cazenovia area, Cazenovia Hospitality LLC, 20 East, Owera Vineyards and The Brewster Inn all received funding in the latest award announcements.
Cazenovia Hospitality, LLC, received $1.28 million to construct an 80-room national chain hotel and conference space, which could accommodate up to 300 people, indoor pool, fitness center, breakfast area and business center on Route 20 in Cazenovia.
“I am very excited about the grant and happy the money could stay in Cazenovia,” said Dan Kuper, owner of The Lincklaen House and president of Cazenovia Hospitality LLC. “Receiving the grant was huge part of this project getting under way.”
The new hotel, a Hampton Inn and Suites to, was approved by the village planning board in July and the current plan is to start construction in April 2015 and be finished about one year later, Kuper said.
Twenty/East received $30,000 for “building redevelopment for agri-business based tourism.” Twenty/East, to be located at 2770 Route 20 East, where the Cazenovia Cut Block showroom now resides, will be a cooperative venture that will house the businesses Cazenovia Cut Block, Rise bread makers, Life of Reilley Distilling and Wine Co. and Hughes Distributing. There are also plans to create a farmers coop in the building.
The $30,000 state grant will be used for extensive renovations of the commercial buildings onsite and transform them to into “a unique agri-tourism based destination,” said the grant award.
“I feel overwhelmed and humbled that New York state wants to support our little project,” said Mackenzie Hughes Houseman, co-owner of 20/East, who was present in Albany when the awards were announced.
Twenty/East is currently in the planning stages — Rise and Life of Reilley currently operate at other locations in Cazenovia and Nelson — and the grand opening is expected to occur in July or August 2015, Houseman said.
EBAC, LLC, the company that owns Owera Vineyards, received $200,000 for expansion of the Owera Farm Winery, including enclosure and expansion of a tented winery promotion area to enable12-month operation, enhancing regional tourism.
Owera’s proposed 6,300 square-foot promotion and marketing facility will replace the three-season tent currently in use for special winery events. The building is proposed to be open seven days a week, 352 days a year and be able to hold 430 people.
The town planning board closed the public hearing on the winery’s proposal on Dec. 4, and now has two months in which to make a decision to either approve or reject the project.
The Brewster Inn received $300,000 for “banquet hall and inn expansion” to purchase the two properties adjacent to the inn on Ledyard Avenue to be converted to a banquet hall and 11 hotel rooms.
That project, however, was cancelled in September after Brewster Inn owner Richard Hubbard decided not to purchase the two neighboring houses on Ledyard Avenue due to the expiration of the existing purchase agreement and the potential threat of litigation from other neighborhood residents.
“I was just as surprised as anyone [by the grant announcement] because I already said the deal was off,” Hubbard said. “I did inform the state that I did not need or want the grant anymore.”
Hubbard said he cannot use the grant money for any projects other than what the funding is specifically earmarked for — which is the purchase of his neighboring buildings — so the grant will just not be used.
“I can’t use it just to use it,” he said.
Two projects in Hamilton also received funding under the 2014 Regional Economic Development Council Awards.
Good Nature Brewing Co. received two grants totaling $350,000 to construct a new 4,000 foot brewery with indoor/outdoor retail and event space, and to renovate an existing 3,500 foot structure for use as warehouse and office space.
Colgate University received a $750,000 grant to be used to relocate two Colgate University museums to a newly constructed Center for Art and Culture in downtown Hamilton.
“This is excellent news for Madison County,” said Dr. Joan Johnson, president of Madison County Tourism, which is the county’s official tourism promotion agency. “I want to congratulate the award winners and thank them for their hard work, we are fortunate to have such spirited entrepreneurs in our community.”
Johnson noted that visitors spent nearly $81 million in Madison County in 2012, referencing data provided by Tourism Economics. According to Johnson, this spending generated $5.6 million in local taxes, which saved the average Madison County household $372 and sustained nearly 2,000 jobs in the county.
“These projects will not only draw more visitors to our county but they’ll also create new jobs,” said John M. Becker, chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. “These awards are just the latest examples of how Madison County is a great place to live, work and visit.”
“Madison County’s growing tourism economy will certainly be bolstered by this funding, and I was pleased to support it in the REDC process. From the burgeoning hops and craft brewery industry to additional hotels, this funding will enable the Madison County economy to grow,” State Senator David J. Valesky said.
“This investment recognizes New York’s diverse bounty and supports our farms and creates jobs by helping the area to become a more popular tourist destination. The blending of agriculture and tourism is crucial to successful economic development for Madison County and surrounding areas, and I’m grateful to Governor Cuomo and the REDC for this initiative,” Assemblyman Bill Magee said.
The first three rounds of the Regional Council process awarded more than $2 billion to more than 2,200 job creation and community development projects across the state, supporting the creation or retention of more than 130,000 jobs, according to the governor’s office.
On April 28, Cuomo kicked off Round IV, during which members from the 10 Regional Councils traveled to Albany to make in-person presentations of their proposals to the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team. Over the course of two days, the SIAT, which is composed of State agency commissioners and policy experts, heard from each of the Regional Councils directly, reviewed the progress being made on projects that have previously received state funding, and assessed the regions’ strategic plan implementations and proposals for funding in 2014.
The Cazenovia area has a history of promising businesses receiving state assistance through the Regional Economic Development grant program. During the past three years/three rounds of funding, the village of Cazenovia, Cazenovia College, Owera Vineyards, Empire Brewing Co., Marquardt Switches and Dielectric Laboratories all received funding for various projects.
The 2014 Regional Economic Development Council Awards can be read online at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
