Ground Broken For Champlain Ferry, Businesses Aided
Posted on Thursday, 19 of November , 2009 at 8:38 pm
CROWN POINT—The creation of a $2.935 million economic assistance program to help North Country businesses affected by the Lake Champlain Bridge closure has been announced by Gov. David Paterson.
The program will address the region’s full range of economic industries by awarding grants to small businesses; making low-interest loans to assist small firms in paying employees and keeping their doors open; and helping farms and manufacturers offset increased travel costs.
“The Lake Champlain Bridge closure has presented real challenges to our small businesses, farms and manufacturers. It is critical that as we work to develop transportation alternatives and build a new bridge, we provide the affected communities with the resources they need to keep people working,” Paterson said. “This program will allow business to continue, keep people employed and pave the way for a strong economic future in the region.”
The Lake Champlain Bridge economic assistance program will be administered by the Empire State Development Corporation and has three components:
- $1.3 million for Retail Assistance Grants: Small cash grants will be made to retail and service firms that have suffered revenue losses of at least 20 percent during the fourth quarter of 2009 fiscal year, when compared to the same period last year. These grants will compensate up to 50 percent of uninsured loss, up to a maximum of $10,000.
- $1 million for Targeted Assistance for Increased Travel Cost: Agricultural and manufacturing firms will receive assistance to reduce added business costs due to the distance that detours add to their routes. Initial loans for working capital and capital investment can be converted to grants upon retention of employment.
- $635,000 Community Revolving Loan Fund: Using a local community lender, loans will be made to help cash-strapped firms maintain payroll, order inventory and pay for operational expenses. Repaid funds will stay in the community for future business investment and growth. At the lender’s discretion, repayment may be deferred until service is restored.
For more information about qualifying for the program, please contact Empire State Development at 1-800-STATE-NY (1-800-782-8369) or by email at champlainbridge@empire.state.ny.us.
On Wednesday, construction began on new temporary year-round vehicular ferry service near the site of the existing Lake Champlain Bridge. Last month, Governor Paterson and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced the establishment of free ferry service between the states, as well as a free express commuter bus with service to three major employers. At the Governor’s direction, State transportation officials are working closely with the federal government to expedite the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a new bridge in Crown Point.
“We are working around the clock to establish an additional year-round ferry service near the existing bridge and are working with the federal government and Vermont to build a new bridge in Crown Point so that life in this corridor can return to normal as quickly as possible,” Paterson added.
Since the Lake Champlain Bridge was closed for safety reasons in October, Governor Paterson declared a State disaster emergency for the affected area and deployed his staff and State agency personnel to the region. At the Governor’s direction, authorities established a toll-free hotline and a community outreach center near the bridge site. State agencies, including the State Emergency Management Office, the Labor Department, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Health Department, State Police, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Empire State Development and the Department of Transportation held a public meeting last month and have been working with members of the community and area businesses to mitigate the impact of the bridge closure.
The toll-free hotline number for information about the bridge closure – 1-888-769-7243 is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those calling from the 518 area code may dial 518-485-1159. The State outreach center is located in the Lake Champlain Visitors Center at 814 Bridge Rd. in Crown Point.
In addition, to ensure that the public is continually informed, regular e-mail updates are being sent to residents who have signed up to receive them. These updates can be accessed at www.lcbclosure.org. 11-19-09
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2009/11/18/champlain_ferry/
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2009/11/18/champlain_ferry/
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2009/11/12/new_bridge/
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2009/11/09/unstable_bridg/
Subscription Needed. First time visitors to The North Country Gazette are welcome at no charge. Thereafter, readers who wish to read additional articles or plan on returning at a later time will need to be an advertiser or have a paid subscription to the NCG Daily Digest in order to gain access. This policy will be strictly enforced and access will be denied to those who abuse it. To sign up, see the subscription ad and PayPal button to the right of this page or at www.northcountrygazette.org If you have questions, contact us at news@northcountrygazette.org
Category: Adirondacks, Business, Good News, Government, New York State
- Add this post to
- Del.icio.us -
- Meneame -
- Digg
COPYRIGHT 2009 - NORTH COUNTRY GAZETTE All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written permission of the publisher.
