Press Release

Release: County Awarded National Grid Grant For Redevelopment Project In Canajoharie

County IDA Receives $300K Grant From National Grid's Brownfield Redevelopment Program

FONDA - County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort and County IDA Director Ken Rose announced on Wednesday that National Grid has awarded Montgomery County a grant for ongoing work at the redevelopment site in Canajoharie. The county's Industrial Development Agency (IDA) applied for a grant from National Grid's Brownfield Redevelopment Program and received an award of $300K, which will be used for demolition and remediation of buildings on the eastern side of the site, adjacent to Exit 29 of the New York State Thruway, in Canajoharie.

"I want to sincerely thank National Grid for their support," Ossenfort said. "These funds will propel the project forward, with the ultimate goal of returning the site to productivity and have it complement downtown Canajoharie. This is a transformational opportunity for the village, county and region. We have a plan that we are continuing to follow and this grant money from National Grid will help keep our plans moving forward."

"I want to thank National Grid for continuing to partner with the county and the IDA on these important projects," added Rose. "When it comes to the county's economic development efforts, the redevelopment of this site in Canajoharie continues to be a top priority."

National Grid has previously partnered with the county's IDA on marketing initiatives for the county. National Grid's Brownfield Redevelopment program looks to provide grants to fund utility related infrastructure improvement projects and other costs necessary to progress there development of a brownfield site.

"This grant award is great news for the county and for Canajoharie," said Legislator Roy S. Dimond (District 3), Chairman of the Montgomery County Legislature. "The County Executive's project team has been following a strong plan and I believe if we continue down this path, we will have a positive result."

The site of the former Beech-Nut factory, which is currently privately owned, has recently been the source of positive news, as the county is focused on returning the site to a shovel-ready status. At the Regional Economic Development Council awards, in December, the county received a grant of $85K through the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Two weeks ago, the county received a grant of $500K through the state's Restore New York Communities Initiative.

The county is aiming to demolish several buildings on the eastern side of the 26-acre site this spring, while exploring all options with the buildings on the western side that are more historic.