$1,113,000 In Downstate Grants

3 Kids Corp of Middletown - $187,500 (Middletown)

• The Orange County company provides packaged frozen seafood for wholesale fish distributors.  The capital grant will be used for a portion of the cost of the purchase of machinery and equipment for renovations and expenditures.  As a result of this project, the company pledges to create 45 new jobs.

County Draperies, Inc - $150,000 (Middletown)

• The Orange County company manufactures complete window treatments and related items, such as valances, cornices, hardware, and related items for the trade including hotels, motels, casinos, and institutional buildings.  The capital grant will be used for a portion of the cost of its relocation.  As a result of the project, the company has retained 20 existing jobs and created 40 new jobs.  

Hannay Reels, Inc. - $525,000 (Westerlo)

• The Albany County Company produces reels which serve a variety of markets including fire and rescue, petroleum and heating oil, lawn care, aviation refueling and audio/video and communications reels.  The MAP (Manufacturing Assistance Program) grant will be used for a portion of the cost of purchase and installation of machinery and equipment.  As a result of this project, the company will retain 128 employees.

Greene County IDA - $172,500 (Athens and Baltimore)

• The Greene County IDA is a public benefit corporation that focuses on developing “shovel ready” sites and historic locations with the goal of marketing to and attracting a diverse mix of business types and employment opportunities for local residents as well as needed new local property tax revenue.  The grant will be used for a portion of pre-permitting costs associated with making the two sites – Third Park in Athens and Tavco is new Baltimore – “shovel ready” for developers.

Restore NY Grant - $213,000 (Town of Rockland)

• The town of Rockland received a grant under the Restore NY Communities Initiative Program.  The grant will be used for a portion of the costs associated with the rehabilitation of a vacant barn into a commercial building.  The Restore NY program revitalizes urban areas and stabilizes neighborhoods as a means to attract residents and businesses.      

The Empire State Development Corporation’s Board of Directors today also approved the hiring of Earth Tech/HAKS to provide owner’s representative technical services at the Atlantic Yard project site.  The company will act as ESDC’s “eyes and ears” by providing staff to observe construction activity, monitor site safety, and review construction, design documents and contractor’s requisitions.

Earth Tech, which has substantial offices in New York City, was chosen from among 10 firms that submitted responses to an advertisement in the New York contract Reporter.  The firm was deemed to have the most complete understanding of ESDC’s requirements and has assembled a team of highly qualified professionals to be assigned to the project.

The hiring of an owner’s representative fulfills another of the commitments ESDC made to increase oversight of the project.  Other measures have included hiring an ombudsperson, creating an interagency working group and holding meetings with elected officials.

ESDC will enter into contract with Earth Tech/HAKS for a total contract not to exceed $1,250,000.  An average of three people will be on the job during the course of a year and the cost of this service is estimated to be $625,000 per year, including reimbursables.