1/20/08 - Business park dependent on $2M grant

South Cortland site nearly year behind schedule as IDA looks for more funding

(As published by Cortland Standard, Christine Laubenstein reporting)

The Cortland County Industrial Development Agency expects to find out by the end of March whether it has received preliminary approval for a $2 million grant for a South Cortland business park.

The IDA is seeking a $2 million grant through the federal Economic Development Administration for the Finger Lakes East business park on Route 13.

The money would be used to extend water, sewer and power lines to the site, pay for access roads and cover engineering fees.

David Bottar, executive director of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, said the scope of the Finger Lakes East business park project has held up the notification process. In April, Bottar predicted the IDA would hear about the grant by September.

“The review process has lengthened given the size and complexity of the project,” said Bottar, who helped the county apply for the funds “I’m still optimistic (the IDA will get the grant).”

Infrastructure work to the park, mainly construction of sewer and water lines, likely won’t begin until the summer or fall, said IDA Executive Director Tom Gillson.

Former IDA Executive Director Linda Hartsock predicted in April infrastructure work would begin in fall 2006.

Work will take at least one year to complete, Gillson said.

The future of the $6.7 million Finger Lakes East business park hinges on the grant, with a lack of sewer and water infrastructure at the site and the need for the IDA to purchase 260 acres of land.

The grant would also give the IDA a better chance of securing additional government funding, officials said.

The park has 29 parcels, 27 of which are empty. Essex Structural Steel Co Inc. and Monarch Machine Tool Corporation occupy the two parcels.

The Economic Development Administration could not be reached Monday or this morning.