Cassadaga expands search for grant funding
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CASSADAGA -- The Village of Cassadaga has ramped up its efforts on securing grant funding for various projects and areas of focus. The village's NY Forward Grant Committee, consisting of local business owners and residents, was established to take on comprehensive grant submissions. In recent months, rather than remaining focused on just the NY Forward application, the Village has been eyeing several different grants.
The Board has submitted an application for up to $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used toward the village's capital waterline project. Cassadaga has received $5 million in grant funding from the State for the project, with another $2.3 million in the form of an interest-free loan.
The Regional Economic Development Council submitted an application on July 31 for Market New York grant funding up to $100,000. The grant requires a 50% match for working capital/marketing projects, with a $50,000 minimum request.
The Board also authorized an application to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, with assistance from the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga, in hopes of offsetting the 50% match requirement for the Market New York grant. An application for the 2027 Tourism Product Development Grant was also authorized by the Board.
Regarding a grant that was already awarded and utilized, renovations to the bandstand have been completed. The total cost of the project was $18,500, and it was supported by a grant of $15,000 from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The outstanding balance of $3,500 was recently paid to Dan Pavlock & Sons by the Village, rather than the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga group listed as the lead agency. Multiple members of Citizens for a Better Cassadaga, including President Cindy Flaherty, expressed their gratitude to the Village Board for covering the remaining balance at the latest meeting.
The Village is also seeking $15,000 in reimbursement for a tree study that was previously conducted. The money was spent by the Village, but the paperwork for reimbursement was just recently submitted to the Board. Legal counsel will advise the Village regarding the next steps for reimbursement. The Village is withholding further Tree Committee funding until documentation is provided regarding what the $15,000 was used for.
The Village Board elected not to pursue a NY Plays Grant to install playground equipment at the village ballfields. Mayor Rudy Abersold explained the Board's decision was influenced by having a short turnaround from the time it was presented to the Board to the deadline, as well as the payment required upfront before reimbursement.
"It may be fair to argue that the Board was cautious in its decision. However, the Board will not put all taxpayers at risk," Abersold said. "Given the timing, reimbursement requirements, and other major projects facing the village, we do not believe the decision was short-sighted."