Erie County Helps Improve Façade of City of Tonawanda

 July 22, 2009

Erie County Executive Chris Collins joined City of Tonawanda Mayor Ronald Pilozzi to announce the start of a grant program to help City business owners improve the exteriors of their properties. The Erie County Commercial Center Improvement Program is underway in the City of Tonawanda, with nearly $120,000 of work recently completed in the Village of Gowanda.

The Erie County Commercial Center Improvement Program is a 50/50 matching grant program utilizing federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Erie County administers the program and contracts with an architectural consultant to carry out the necessary improvements. An eligible business can apply for a matching grant of up to $10,000. The program promotes physical improvements including new signage, awnings, lighting, and masonry work, while adhering to all state historic preservation guidelines.

"The Erie County Commercial Center Improvement Program is an effective way for the County, with federal dollars, to help reinvest and spruce up our community's various businesses districts. The new building facades help restore a sense of pride in the community and draw new attention to existing businesses that are often the heart of the commercial districts in our various cities, towns and villages. Erie County is excited to help facilitate upcoming work in the City of Tonawanda, after just completing eight successful projects in the Village of Gowanda."

"More than $60,000 of CDBG funding was used in the Village of Gowanda to leverage more than $55,000 of private investment," continued Collins. "This program also has a track record of helping to spur additional business development. Since the work started in the Village of Gowanda, seven new businesses have opened up in the central business district."

The program area for the City of Tonawanda is located on Main Street from Niagara to Seymour. Today's announcement was in front of Sweet Briar Antiques on Main Street. Owner Kory Schuler is planning to participate in the program.

The initial interest from our business community has been very strong," said Mayor Ronald Pilozzi. "This program will allow for a substantial investment in the heart of our commercial district and I am confident it will not only dramatically improve our Main Street streetscape, but promote more investment in our local businesses."

The Erie County Commercial Center Improvement Program began in 2004 and has also been active in Village of Springville, and the hamlets of Holland and Eden. Clinton Brown Associates is the current architectural consultant for the program.