Small Projects Fund recipients announced

TICONDEROGA | Within the next 12 months, downtown Ticonderoga should be looking quite a bit different than its current state. The second project of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant is about to get underway, with North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC) announcing the eight recipients of the $778,000 Small Projects Fund. The Small Project Fund is a pot of money allotted to assist local businesses with small-scale building and site improvements. Grant funding was sub-granted directly to NRDC, which is working in partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) through the New York Main Street (NYMS) program to oversee the project. "This program allows for not only property owners but business owners with renters to innovate, renovate and expand their businesses and buildings," explained NRDC Executive Director, Nicole Green. "These competitive grants will support transformational commercial building improvements in Ticonderoga's historic core—ranging from façade restoration and energy efficiency upgrades to interior fit-outs and historic preservation work." Projects were selected through a ranked, competitive review process and are expected to leverage over $1 million in total public-private investment. "All applications were scored and ranked by an independent panel of professionals in economic development and downtown revitalization- no reviewers were from Ticonderoga or affiliated with any applicants," Green revealed. Projects were funded in order of score until the pool of money was exhausted, with one awardee declining a partial award, allowing additional projects to be funded. Only three applicants did not receive funding. "Property owners were really able to create their own scopes and delineate their own needs for their buildings and their businesses," Green said. "They filled out the applications with technical assistance from us (NRDC), and I am very proud of their hard work and a lot of this work because DRI guidelines were focused on transformative projects, a lot of this work will be very visibly transformative for the downtown." Sunshine Laundry at 88 Montcalm St. was awarded $28,162.50 with a private match of $9,387.50. Work will include the installation of an ADA ramp, upgrading interior lighting and fans, replacing flooring and plumbing, adding a water softener. Adirondack Trading Post at 102 Montcalm St. was awarded $47,625 with a private match of $15,875. New front stairs, porch repairs, siding replacement, full painting, and a roof replacement will all be executed. Blee's Salon and Spa at 107 Montcalm St. was awarded $60,276.36 with a private match of $20,092.12 Storefront window replacement, masonry repair, solar panel and mini split system installation, and flooring replacement are all on the list of improvements for the Montcalm Street beauty parlor. Olio Piro's flagship distribution store at 110 Montcalm St. (formerly known as Rathbun Jewelers) was awarded $90,412.50 with a private match of $30,137.50. The newly painted white building with the Henry Knox mural will see façade and roof repairs, painting, lighting installation, and an HVAC system. Champ Café/Punky Noodles at 113 Montcalm St. was awarded $81,249 with a private match of $27,083. Work will include new historically appropriate siding, energy-efficient window replacement, and restoration of original detail. Burleigh's Luncheonette at 121 Montcalm St., the main eatery of the downtown corridor, was awarded $90,300 with a private match of $30,100. The Barber family business will receive storefront window replacement and installation of a permanent walk-in cooler. Bain's Sunoco at 128 Montcalm St. was awarded $100,000 with a private match of $33,333. Charlie Bain's building will get a cupola and roof repair, façade upgrades, signage, and interior restroom access. That's RAD!! and the building's upstairs apartments at 85 Montcalm St. was awarded $100,000 with a private match of $33,333. New code-compliant apartments and stabilization using Land Bank Initiative funds are slated. Additionally, Burleigh's Luncheonette and Champ Café / Punky Noodles will use a new supplemental state grant, the Vacant Rental Program- VRP, to renovate upper-story apartments, which will extend the program's impact to housing. "These awards reflect the energy and creativity of Ticonderoga's small business Community," Green remarked. "From historic storefronts to new specialty shops, this is the beginning of real change downtown." Currently, environmental testing is underway on all funded sites, with contractor procurement ongoing in compliance with DRI standards. Construction is expected to begin this summer, with project signage installation across downtown. "Many of these projects are out to bid and we would encourage local contractors who are interested in working with these property owners to submit bids or apply to be on our approved contractors list," Green said. "This is your chance, there are some really beautiful projects that are going to come out of this." Local contractors may contact NRDC at office@northcountryruraldevelopmetcoalition.com or by calling 518-585-6366.

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