Guide dogs, cooking school among Long Island projects vying for NYS aid
John Miller, of the Guide Dog Foundation, makes a pitch to the LI Regional Economic Development Council at Long Island University in Brookville on Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
A center for training puppies to become guide dogs for the blind and therapeutic companions for wounded veterans, new equipment for a maker of grinding machines, a cooking school for low-income residents and restoration of a historic auditorium are among 25 projects vying for state aid.
The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council heard three-minute pitches for building projects, business expansions and tourism initiatives that are seeking a share of $447 million in state grants and tax credits for 2024-25.
The council, which consists of business, labor, nonprofit and university leaders, recommends local projects for state funding through the annual Regional Economic Development Councils competition. Final decisions are made by the state agencies with the money.
As a group, the 25 projects touted at last week's council meeting are requesting more than $35 million.
The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s VetDogs, both based in Smithtown, are applying for $3.3 million in state funding for a proposed $18.6 million puppy development and visitors center.
The project would help the two nonprofits to meet growing demand for service dogs, said John Miller, the groups’ CEO and president. "We’ve exploded ever since" providing Sully, a Labrador retriever, to former President George H.W. Bush in summer 2018. Bush died six months later.
"The new puppy development center is going to be key to the organization’s future," Miller said, accompanied by Buddy, a 5-month-old puppy.
Miller said the puppy center could be built in Washington or Atlanta "but we want to stay right here on Long Island where 135 people work at our national headquarters."
Basaran Grinder Corp., a Hauppauge-based maker of grinding machines, is seeking $74,000 toward the purchase of $370,000 in new equipment.
The project will enable the 20-year-old business to design and produce machinery for use by semiconductor manufacturers, including large plants in Syracuse and Albany, said president and founder Murat Basaran, adding that his father spent decades in the grinding equipment industry.
"We want to help Long Island be a part of the semiconductor trade . . . With the new equipment, we will add three to five employees over the next two years" to a workforce of 17 people, he said.
Basaran Grinder was among four manufacturers making pitches for a $10 million grant program for factories with 100 or fewer employees that was included in the 2024-25 state budget by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature.
The Economic Advancement Resources Network Inc., a nonprofit that helps the poor, is applying for $300,000 in funding for a proposed cooking school and business incubator in Long Beach. The project, with a total price tag of $700,000, is being done in conjunction with the city’s Martin Luther King Center.
"This program will provide individuals with certified training in culinary and pastry arts," said Christina Curry, one of the network’s founders. "We truly believe this project will provide individuals with the skills needed to pursue gainful opportunities in the food-service industry."
She also said participants would receive assistance in starting businesses and expanding existing businesses with a kitchen to create food products for sale. She said the program would begin in March and create nine jobs.
A couple of blocks south of the King center, Long Beach officials are proposing to add two concession stands and more bathroom facilities on the boardwalk, along with shaded seating areas, according to City Manager Daniel Creighton.
He said Long Beach hoped the state would pay for half the project’s cost of $2.9 million.
In Greenport, design consultant Lucy Barnes is working to restore an auditorium and theater built in 1894 and recently used as a furniture store. She said the restoration would take about 2½ years and $7 million, of which she hoped the state would provide $2 million.
"We want to provide programming space, coworking space [for small-business owners] and space for retailers while preserving the heritage of the building," Barnes said, adding 16 people would eventually work in the Queen Anne-style building.
Funding applications are due to the development council by Wednesday at 4 p.m. More information may be found at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
A center for training puppies to become guide dogs for the blind and therapeutic companions for wounded veterans, new equipment for a maker of grinding machines, a cooking school for low-income residents and restoration of a historic auditorium are among 25 projects vying for state aid.
The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council heard three-minute pitches for building projects, business expansions and tourism initiatives that are seeking a share of $447 million in state grants and tax credits for 2024-25.
The council, which consists of business, labor, nonprofit and university leaders, recommends local projects for state funding through the annual Regional Economic Development Councils competition. Final decisions are made by the state agencies with the money.
As a group, the 25 projects touted at last week's council meeting are requesting more than $35 million.
WHAT TO KNOW
- A diverse group of projects was pitched to the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council for state grants and tax credits.
- The council, along with nine others across the state, will help determine how $447 million in state funding is distributed in the annual Regional Economic Development Councils' competition.
- Applications for funding are due to the local council on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s VetDogs, both based in Smithtown, are applying for $3.3 million in state funding for a proposed $18.6 million puppy development and visitors center.
The project would help the two nonprofits to meet growing demand for service dogs, said John Miller, the groups’ CEO and president. "We’ve exploded ever since" providing Sully, a Labrador retriever, to former President George H.W. Bush in summer 2018. Bush died six months later.
"The new puppy development center is going to be key to the organization’s future," Miller said, accompanied by Buddy, a 5-month-old puppy.
Miller said the puppy center could be built in Washington or Atlanta "but we want to stay right here on Long Island where 135 people work at our national headquarters."
Basaran Grinder Corp., a Hauppauge-based maker of grinding machines, is seeking $74,000 toward the purchase of $370,000 in new equipment.
Murat Basaran, of Basaran Grinder Corp., said his business would be able to purchase new equipment and add up to five employees if he is awarded a state grant. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The project will enable the 20-year-old business to design and produce machinery for use by semiconductor manufacturers, including large plants in Syracuse and Albany, said president and founder Murat Basaran, adding that his father spent decades in the grinding equipment industry.
"We want to help Long Island be a part of the semiconductor trade . . . With the new equipment, we will add three to five employees over the next two years" to a workforce of 17 people, he said.
Basaran Grinder was among four manufacturers making pitches for a $10 million grant program for factories with 100 or fewer employees that was included in the 2024-25 state budget by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature.
The Economic Advancement Resources Network Inc., a nonprofit that helps the poor, is applying for $300,000 in funding for a proposed cooking school and business incubator in Long Beach. The project, with a total price tag of $700,000, is being done in conjunction with the city’s Martin Luther King Center.
"This program will provide individuals with certified training in culinary and pastry arts," said Christina Curry, one of the network’s founders. "We truly believe this project will provide individuals with the skills needed to pursue gainful opportunities in the food-service industry."
She also said participants would receive assistance in starting businesses and expanding existing businesses with a kitchen to create food products for sale. She said the program would begin in March and create nine jobs.
A couple of blocks south of the King center, Long Beach officials are proposing to add two concession stands and more bathroom facilities on the boardwalk, along with shaded seating areas, according to City Manager Daniel Creighton.
He said Long Beach hoped the state would pay for half the project’s cost of $2.9 million.
In Greenport, design consultant Lucy Barnes is working to restore an auditorium and theater built in 1894 and recently used as a furniture store. She said the restoration would take about 2½ years and $7 million, of which she hoped the state would provide $2 million.
"We want to provide programming space, coworking space [for small-business owners] and space for retailers while preserving the heritage of the building," Barnes said, adding 16 people would eventually work in the Queen Anne-style building.
Funding applications are due to the development council by Wednesday at 4 p.m. More information may be found at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.
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