The St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency (RVDA) is accepting applications through April 13 for its 2018 Community Development and Environmental Improvement Program.
Eligible applicants include communities and not-for-profit organizations in St. Lawrence County that are planning to undertake a project that will provide a clear and demonstrable economic, community or environmental benefit.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. April 13.
The RVRDA has allocated up to $100,000 for this year’s program. There is no minimum application amount, but the maximum that may be applied for is $20,000 though the RVRDA retains the discretion to make exceptions to this maximum if it determines that the circumstances so warrant.
When reviewing applications, the RVRDA and the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency Local Development Corporation will give priority to those projects which most clearly support and advance community development, environmental improvement, and employment opportunities and projects that propose to use CD/EI resources to leverage funds from federal, State, and regional programs, foundations, or other such external sources.
The River Valley Agency’s Community Development and Environmental Improvement Program has provided $3.7 million in funding over the past seven (7) years for a variety of projects throughout St. Lawrence County.
These projects have included environmental cleanup, energy efficiency and development projects in Louisville, Ogdensburg, Waddington and Star Lake, infrastructure development projects in Canton, Gouverneur and at the Massena Industrial Park and the Port of Ogdensburg.
A number of civic and community organizations and initiatives have also been supported by the program, including the Boys & Girls Club of Massena, the Massena Arts and Theatre Association, the Norwood Village Green Concert Series, the St. Lawrence River Walleye Association, the St. Lawrence County Fire Training Center, and Frederic Remington Art Museum, the North Country Children’s Museum, and the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum.
The program has also funded a number of tourism and trail development activities, including the Fishcap fishing promotional initiative and the 2013 Bass Master Elite Tournament, the Iroquois Horse Trail project, the Lisbon Town Beach, the St. Lawrence County Wine Trail, the Blueway Trail Corridor, and the St. Lawrence County Multi-Use Recreational Trail System.
Applicants and their proposed project(s) must be principally located in St. Lawrence County.
The level and form of assistance provided by the Community Development and Environmental Improvement Fund will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may include loans, grants or other types of financial assistance. Funds may be used for a number of purposes including real estate acquisition, building construction and rehabilitation, machinery and equipment, and working capital. Funds generally may not be used to fund normal operating costs.
For more information, or to request an application, contact Kimberly Gilbert at 315-379-9806 or [email protected].
The application can also be accessed and submitted via the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency website at www.slrvra.com.
