Distribution of DRI funds a slow process; says Sauerbrey

Last Thursday, the community reveled in spirit as New York State’s Governor Andrew Cuomo arrived in the area to announce a $10 million dollar revitalization grant awarded to the Village of Owego, N.Y.

And although met with great enthusiasm, with a 63-page proposed document submitted for the award, things could take time, cautioned Marte Sauerbrey, chair of the Tioga County Legislature in New York.

Areas highlighted within the document offer an extensive detail of the Village of Owego and its surrounding area, some of its historic features and natural resources, and several additional documents, to include an ambitious proposal from WEBOs President, David Radigan, who is requesting several million to enhance his company’s presence, according to the proposal.

On Thursday, LeAnn Tinney, the economic development director and a co-chair on the grant’s committee, offered clarification on the WEBO document included in the grant’s application, stating that it was in there as an example only, and that the application itself failed to clearly state it as such.

But the need for clarification had merit, as within WEBOs proposal they have also requested funding for portable battery-operated radios for the Village of Owego residents, and requested that over $1 million of the state money be allocated in a sum of $17,520 per business, per year for advertising; money to be spent exclusively with WEBO. They also requested $600,000 for job creation, as well as over $300,000 for capital improvements.

Other offerings within the proposal included support letters submitted by Ike and Julie Lovelass, owners of The Owego Kitchen and the Belva Lockwood Inn; the Tioga County Arts Council; Tioga County Tourism; Owego Harford Railway; Edgemere Development, Inc.; Cornell Cooperative Extension; Tioga Downs; and several others.

You can read the entire proposal at https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Owego_DRI_THREE.pdf.

And although the proposal mentioned the description of the grant and highlighted previous projects, it remains unclear as to how projects within the village become selected, and what the process for this selection entails, locally.

Sauerbrey, in an interview on Tuesday, noted that a plan for how the money will be spent is due to Albany by March of 2019.

As for the process, Sauerbrey explained that some representatives will be in town this week to talk to Team Tioga, the county group comprised of several Tioga County government agencies that is spearheading the application and award.

“They will soon form an advisory committee,” said Sauerbrey, adding, “Owego’s Village Mayor, Mike Baratta and LeAnn Tinney are currently co-chairing the committee.” She explained that a development advisory group would also be needed.

Tinney, on Thursday, told The Owego Pennysaver that there would be open communication throughout the entire process. And echoed Sauerbrey, stating, “The process could take a long time.”

Co-Chair Baratta talked on Tuesday about the award, stating, “I am excited for the DRI. We are forming a team made up of village and county officials along with members of Team Tioga and the state. Eventually members of the community will be involved as well.”

As for what Baratta would like to see as possible projects funded is revitalization around the North Avenue area, or the blocks behind it such as Temple Street and Liberty Street, etc.

He added, “I want to improve residential properties, and would love to see some of it be applied to homeowners.”

Baratta also discussed parking as an option to be looked at, as well as lights working on the other side of the bridge, stating, “I would like to bring those villagers out of the dark.”

However, those are merely Baratta’s ideas. The projects will have to be chosen, he added, by a committee, and public meetings held to find the best way to use the money.

As far as the proposals, such as that seen by WEBO within the county’s document, Sauerbrey explained that folks will be able to apply, and that a timeframe will be set to submit applications. A public hearing, she added, will also be offered to the community at a later date.

Sauerbrey did note that the parameters of the grant do not allow funding to be utilized for staffing, and the complete details can be found at https://www.ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/round-three-dri-frequently-asked-questions.