The Catskill Chronicle

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY (July 1, 2015) – The Sullivan County Legislature appropriated $100,000 in the 2015 Adopted Budget to fund the newly created Plans and Progress Small Grant Program. The Legislature has voted to award contracts in the amount of $69,075 to applicants during Round 1 of the grant program.

The Plans and Progress Small Grant Program is designed to assist local municipalities, and community and not-for-profit groups, throughout Sullivan County with capital projects related to tourism, economic development, image enhancement, and other county goals. These guidelines are intended to promote use of the program countywide through an initial allocation of funding to all legislative districts, foster projects that have county-wide or regional significance, by tying applications to county goals established in comprehensive or strategic plans, and increase the impact of the grants and accountability of the program through enhanced project tracking.

Interest in the program was strong as there were a total of 26 applications in Round 1. The 16 funded projects will support new parks and trail development, public art, downtown hamlet revitalization, agriculture, historic preservation, tourism, and image enhancement.

“The Plans and Progress Small Grant Program is an initiative that the Legislature takes great pride in reinstituting. This program will help our community and make the resources available that not-for-profit organizations in Sullivan County need in today’s economy. I look forward to seeing all of the projects awarded in Round 1 come to fruition. I think this program can be an asset to our Sullivan County community,” said Scott Samuelson, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature

The County is now accepting applications for Round 2 of the Plans and Progress Small Grant Program. Applications from all districts are encouraged as projects in districts where funding has been fully allocated may be eligible for funds remaining in the program. The deadline to apply for Round 2 is July 31.

"If past success is a prelude of things to come, then I look forward to seeing a more vibrant, aesthetically pleasing and culturally attractive Sullivan County in the near future, thanks, in part to the Plans & Progress program, but more importantly to the volunteers and organizations that have chosen to reinvest in our community," Alan J. Sorensen, Legislator District 9.

Program guidelines are available which contain details on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and the timeline and procedures for reviewing applications, and are available from the Sullivan County Division of Planning & Environmental Management at (845) 807-0527 or by email at planning@co.sullivan.ny.us. The information may also be accessed from the County’s website by going to the Planning division page and clicking on the link to Available Funding Opportunities.

“As a member of the review committee, I would like to personally thank Freda Eisenberg Planning Commissioner, Art Hussey Grants Administration Supervisor, Helen Budrock of Sullivan Renaissance, and Heinrich Strauch of Jeff Bank for their time and expertise in reviewing and making recommendations for funding,” said Joshua Potosek, Sullivan County Manager.