For Immediate Release: February 13, 2009

Greene County Announces $100,000
in 2009 Main Street Revitalization Grants

Program Expands to Include Tourism and Lodging Projects Beyond Main Street

CATSKILL, New York (February 13, 2009) – Continuing a highly successful program that has helped spark dramatic transformations of Main Streets in Catskill, Coxsackie, Tannersville and other communities, the Greene County Legislature has appropriated $100,000 for its 2009 Main Street Revitalization Program (MSRP). Businesses and community groups can apply until March 16, 2009 for matching grants of up to $7,500.

Expanded in 2008 to include work with communities on Main Street and waterfront redevelopment strategies, the program is being extended even further this year to encompass enhancements of tourism and lodging facilities, regardless of their location in Greene County.

"Now more than ever in a tough economy, the Main Street Revitalization Program is critical to stimulating the local economy and supporting business growth and development of Main Street and tourism-related businesses," said Karen Deyo, Greene County Legislature Government Operations Chairperson. "Continuing the positive momentum and expanding the markets of Main Street businesses to attract more tourists will improve the vitality of our Main Streets and increase the bottom line for everyone," said Ms. Deyo.

"Since its inception in 2003, the Main Street Revitalization Program has funded more than 140 projects and leveraged millions of dollars in private and New York State investment in Greene County," said Warren Hart, Director of Greene County Economic Development, Tourism and Planning, which administers the grant program. "The program has been a major factor in the renaissance of the county’s Main Streets, while assisting with new business creation and enhancement of existing business," he noted, adding that MSRP projects have been completed in almost every town and village in the county.

Catskill has completed the most MSRP projects, which has contributed to a stunning turnaround of its Main Street that spurred Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine to name the village one of America's "Ten Coolest Towns." Buildings that house N&S Supply, M Studio, The Open Studio, Hood & Company, Oscar's Sushi and many other businesses have received dramatic facelifts with the help of MSRP grants.

Main Street funding and technical expertise were also crucial in turning the former His n' Hers department store in Cairo into the new offices of Kaaterskill Associates and a former firehouse in Coxsackie into offices for Intelligent Technology Solutions. Bistro Brie & Bordeaux in Windham and Village Bistro in Tannersville are two restaurants that have benefited from major makeovers with the help of MSRP funds; while Power Image Fitness in Tannersville and Fitness Concepts on Windham have also tapped into the grant program. Windham Hardware was also able to replace its unusual cupola and make other restorations with the help of a Main Street grant. Several of these businesses have combined MSRP assistance and Quantum Fund loans in recent years.

Success stories from 2008 include the newly renovated Athens Cultural Center, the restoration and return to active use of the former Powder night club in Tannersville as the new White Star restaurant and bar, and support of street beautification in the Town of Durham and Village of Tannersville. In particular, the streetscape projects attracted a large number of positive comments from tourists, as well as local residents.

To guide effective revitalization and growth, Greene County can also provide financial assistance and guidance to localities in order to complete redevelopment strategies. The county is currently working with the Town of Cairo on a Main Street Strategy and with the Town and Village of Catskill and the Greene County Industrial Development Agency on the completion of a Downtown and Waterfront Revitalization Plan. Both projects are anticipated to be completed in 2009.

The MSRP will fund matching grants of up to $7,500 for up to half the project cost for façade improvements such as painting, new wooden siding, cleaning and re-pointing brick, awnings, appropriate storefront lighting, wooden windows and doors and other renovations. Matching grants of up to $2,500 are also available for signage and other enhancements. In addition, the MSRP provides hands-on assistance, design guidelines and professional architectural services to help ensure the integrity of historic restoration work while making it easier for the property owner to implement projects.

Applications for the Main Street Revitalization Program are available online at www.greenebusiness.com, directly at the Greene County Economic Development, Tourism and Planning Office at 411 Main Street in Catskill, or by mail by calling (518) 719-3290. The applications must by postmarked or received by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2009 in order to be eligible to compete for the grants.

Greene County Economic Development, Tourism & Planning

Warren Hart, Director, AICP

411 Main Street Catskill NY 12414 Phone: (518) 719-3290 Fax: (518) 719-3789

business@discovergreene.com www.greenebusiness.com