Half a million for river towns

Grants for Barryville, Narrowsburg, Callicoon

By FRITZ MAYER

RIVER CORRIDOR, NY — Sullivan County has been awarded a $500,000 grant through the New York Main Street Program that targets the business districts in the hamlets of Barryville, Narrowsburg and Callicoon.

Luiz Aragon, the county’s planning commissioner, said owners of commercial properties within the selected areas in the hamlet will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for façade renovations and other capital improvements. Grants up to $25,000 will be available for apartments in the buildings. Aragon said there is a 50% match required from building owners.

Aragon said the process started back in January with the county-wide charette he initiated, and a group of participants who wanted to help improve the economy in the river corridor. The county planning department worked with businesses and chambers of commerce in the three hamlets in determining which areas would be eligible. Aragon said this is the first time the Main Streets program had awarded a grant to multiple municipalities.

Owners will be able to apply for grants in the near future, and renovation projects could begin next spring. There will be 72 buildings in the three hamlets eligible for funds.

The three hamlets are in three different legislative districts in the county, and each legislator lauded the effort. “Our River Corridor Main Streets are an integral component of the County’s economy,” said lawmaker Kathleen LaBuda. Lawmaker David Sager said the grant will help the county’s tourism industry thrive more within the River Corridor.

“The economic revitalization of the River Corridor Main Streets is critical to a well rounded economic development strategy,” concluded lawmaker Elwin “Woody” Wood.