Welcome news came to the village of Fredonia, courtesy of the state of New York on Friday. The municipality is in line to receive $2.5 million in Smart Growth Community Funding.

“I am very grateful to Gov. Cuomo and his continued support for the village of Fredonia,” said Mayor Athanasia Landis. “The Western New York Smart Growth Community Fund award we received … will give us the opportunity to revitalize our community through economic development while we improve walkability, preserve our wonderful architecture and reclaim our historic buildings.”

Last year, Gowanda and the city of Dunkirk were recipients of the grant.

But make no mistake, Fredonia’s windfall is the result of collaborations. Those partnerships, whether it be Central Connections — an effort to tie the Dunkirk, SUNY Fredonia and the village together — are what will strengthen the region in the future.

Just as significant is a fairly silent partner in assisting with the grant application — the Local Economic Development group, which is connected to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

A stronger Fredonia, through grant money that happens in collaborations, benefits our northern Chautauqua community.