*Photo by NM Electronics LLC
An aerial shot of the demolition process of the former Nestle site of Fulton as of 6/29/2017.
FULTON, NY – The announcement of a $250,000 grant secured for the former Nestle site in Fulton has city officials “thrilled” for the ongoing development of the site.
Federal funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission’s Economic and Infrastructure Development Investment Program will benefit needed infrastructure work for further development of the 24-acre site located at 555 S. Fourth St.
“This was a very competitive type grant from a federal funding source. We had found that we were up against some other projects locally so we’re very thrilled to receive this,” said Joe Fiumara, executive director of the Fulton Community Development Agency.
U.S. Representative John Katko representing the 24th Congressional District supported the application after it was submitted by the Fulton CDA.
“As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I recognize how important strong water infrastructure systems are for local municipalities in Central New York and across the nation,” said U.S. Rep. Katko. “I commend the city of Fulton’s Community Development Agency for its efforts to spur economic growth and help revitalize distressed neighborhoods by updating and replacing vital infrastructure, and I was proud to support this application for funding.”
The grant, written by Fiumara, will allow infrastructure work to include such things as water and sewer line upgrades, roads, curbs, and the possibility of fiber optics as well.
“I’m thrilled, we’ve been trying to get help from all our representatives and this is the first one that’s helped us. It’s very welcomed and appreciated,” Fulton Mayor Ronald Woodward said.
Woodward said that among other things the grant will help in extending South Fifth Street through the site after incoming supermarket chain, Aldi, begins extending the street through the eastern portion of the 2.2-acre site that recently finalized purchase on the corner of South Fourth and Fay streets.
“Aldi is going to extend South Fifth Street as far as their store and then turn that over to us, we will continue through that first site until it opens up on both sides of the road,” Woodward said.
The grant funding will allow the entire 24-acre site to receive infrastructure work needed for further economic development.
“There’s potential clients looking at these sites right now and I would say some of our obstacles have been the undersized and outdated infrastructure so this is very, very important,” Fiumara said.
Fiumara added that city officials are ensuring parcel purchases throughout the site follow the city’s vision for what it is to become, which consists of mostly retail.
“We want it to be a retail core as people enter the city of Fulton right there,” Fiumara said.
“We’re just thrilled, hopefully this is the start of many good things happening for the city,” Fiumara said.
Fulton Common Council President and Second Ward councilor Dave Ritchie said he’s glad the city has received help from federal funding sources, noting that the grant will be very helpful in further development.
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One might ask, What happened to the $300,000 the city received already for infrastructure. Now that makes $550,000 for infrastructure. Not bad. But where will it all go.
Fulton’s future is dependent upon government handouts. Even that won’t be enough to turn the tide without an economic plan to create jobs and produce tax revenue.
Joe lets get a grant for the pool. Let’s vote in a new mayor. Wants to build a museum for nestle who left us high and dry. It’s about time to move to Oswego where they have it going on. This store will hire a hand full of part time employees. Who will still be on welfare. And the stories goes on.