Staff outline grant opportunities; LDC signals $250,000 pilot for infrastructure gap financing

County planning staff told the Economic Growth and Development Committee about several grant opportunities and a potential Local Development Corporation (LDC) pilot fund to support infrastructure and housing projects.

Staff said the Adirondack Smart Growth program recently reopened and does not require a local match, and the Northern Border Regional Commission's catalyst program—if structured like the last round—would provide about 80% federal and 20% local match for eligible infrastructure and community development projects. Staff said they plan to resubmit the fish hatchery project under that program.

The county infrastructure program was described as broadly eligible for community development infrastructure with a $500,000 cap per project; projects that include a housing component may reach a $1 million threshold under that round, requiring documentation of the housing impact. Staff noted the guidelines for the current round were expected to mirror the last round.

Staff also described the Pro Housing Supply program as limited to large projects: it funds a minimum $2,500,000 award and requires an equal match, creating a $5,000,000 project minimum for eligibility.

Separately, the Local Development Corporation reported it has reconstituted funds and is piloting two pools: a housing redevelopment fund and a $250,000 infrastructure fund intended to support towns and municipalities. Committee members discussed using the LDC fund as gap financing or short-term matching loans to help projects advance through planning and engineering phases. One committee member said the LDC fund would be structured to provide returns and not simply be a grant; another described it as a potential source to help projects meet state matching requirements.

Committee members and staff encouraged municipalities and departments with ready projects to contact the planning office; staff said many grant deadlines were imminent and that their office would assist with applications.