Monticello High School student Angie Snowden works on a mural she designed with local artist and educator Thomas Bosket. The mural, located at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello, was funded by a 2017 Plans & Progress award.
Monticello, NY – Sullivan County has made $350,000 available for municipalities, non-profits, and community organizations through the renewal of 4 incentive programs.
The Plans & Progress Program is to assist local municipalities, community groups, and not-for-profit organizations throughout Sullivan County with projects related to tourism, community and economic development, image enhancement, trails development, health improvement, agricultural and farmland protection, and other County goals.
The Sullivan Signs Program assists local municipalities in enhancing the County’s image, identity, and sense of place, and improving visitor experiences, through upgrades and additions to welcome signs, pole or street light banners, historical markers, wayfinding and other types of signage. Applications must be made by a Sullivan County municipality, but projects may be carried out in partnership with chambers, historical societies, or other community groups.
The Remove Unsafe Structures (RUSt) Program aims to clean up unsafe structures primarily in the County’s urban centers and community gateways. Properties which show promise for redevelopment and reuse will be prioritized. $200,000 has been made available to reimburse tipping fees and disposal costs for municipalities who are demolishing vacant or abandoned buildings.
The Business-Friendly Zoning & Permitting Program aims to incentivize changes to local zoning codes and development review procedures in order to increase the efficiency and lower the expense of obtaining permits for new economic development — and conversely to remove barriers to small business development and expansion posed by cumbersome, unclear, and costly regulations and processes. Funding is available to support the costs of attorneys, planners and other professionals, permit-tracking technology, and related expenses.
“If you want to make your community a better place, we have the ways and means to help you accomplish that goal,” says District 9 Legislator Alan Sorensen, chair of the Legislature’s Planning Committee. “Become a part of the team that’s transforming Sullivan County!”
These programs are administered by the Division of Planning and Community Development. More information, including the program guidelines and application forms, is available on the Division’s page at SullivanNY.us, under “Technical Assistance & Funding Opportunities.” Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on March 8, 2019. Completed applications may be submitted electronically or delivered to the Division of Planning & Community Development, County Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello, NY 12701.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss any projects with the Division of Planning and Community Development prior to applying. Staff is available to answer questions and to assist potential applicants with project development and applications. For more information, contact Shannon.Cilento@sullivanny.us, or call 845-807-0529.