Two dozen projects across the First State Senate District received funding through the New York State Regional Economic Development Council, including about $150,000 in funding to improve storm water infrastructure at Havens Beach in Sag Harbor and another $335,000 to go toward marketing the East End tourism industry.
The announcement comes as a second round of grant funding, after the East End was awarded about $1 million in grants about a year ago. In October of last year, prior to the funding being awarded, East Enders flocked to Riverhead to make their cases in front of the NYSREDC.
Regional economic development councils were put in place by the Cuomo administration in 2011, providing an incentive-based approach toward state funding of projects.
“I have been proud to work with people from every part of our area including leaders in business, education, local governments, economic development and planning and others, to develop a list of job creation projects that achieve our goals of creating jobs and building a strong foundation for future growth,” state Sen. Ken LaValle, R-Port Jefferson, said.
Across the state, $738 million was awarded for 725 different economic development projects. And on Long Island, 86 projects received $59.7 million.
At Havens Beach, Sag Harbor Village will retrofit storm water drainage piping that runs offshore. Havens Beach frequently closes following heavy rain, something the project will attempt to fix.
The East End Tourism Alliance will receive $335,000 to promote the area's wineries, marketability as a film destination, tourist location and more.
The big ticket items in the First State Senate District to receive funding include $1 million for a mixed-use project in Coram including housing and retail, as well as $500,000 which will go toward an $18 million project testing Maglev technology, using magnetic levitation technology to power rails.