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Tag: planning

  • Broome County Awards $10K to Little Italy Endicott through County’s Small Community Fund

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    (ENDICOTT, NY) Broome County leaders announced today that $10,000 in funding has been approved for a project in Little Italy Endicott through the County’s Small Community Fund. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and members of the Broome County Legislature joined Little Italy Board Members Wednesday to announce the award.

    The Small Community Fund is for local municipalities, non-profits, and local economic development entities that are working on projects to assist in carrying out the Broome County Comprehensive Plan. The total fund is $150,000.

    “I’m thrilled to be making this announcement today,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “The Little Italy Endicott Heritage Center and Museum is an organization that is preserving the history of Broome County and we are excited see them continuing to serve the community in new ways.”

    “Helping our local communities is what this funding is all about,” said Broome County Legislative Chairman Daniel J. Reynolds. “The Legislature was proud to support the funding to the Little Italy Endicott Heritage Center for these much-needed improvements and we look forward to the benefits and opportunities they will bring the community.”

    “With many outstanding Italian community events in Endicott, this funding will go a long way toward maintaining the culture and traditions that we all cherish,” said Broome County Legislator Matthew J. Pasquale. “Not only that, but it will allow residents the chance to learn more about their heritage and help preserve our way of life right here in Endicott’s Little Italy.”

    The kitchen project at the Little Italy Endicott Heritage Center and Museum will provide cooking classes and kitchen and venue rentals to the community. The organization is working with local restaurants and chefs to put plans together for the community cooking classes that will be held in the new kitchen. Not only that, but this project will help promote the community’s heritage.

    “Thanks to the support from Broome County, elected officials and community members that aided in the completion of our long-awaited kitchen at the Little Italy Endicott Heritage Center. 2020 marks the 10-year anniversary for the Heritage Center, and when the project is complete we will be offering cooking classes, ethnic dinners and wine making classes. Food is one of the best ways we can showcase our Italian Heritage and connect with people, so were very excited to offer this new space to the community,” said Michael Romeo, the Board President.

    The $10,000 has helped with construction and installation of purchased equipment like refrigeration equipment, kitchen small wares and dining furniture.

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    The funding was approved by the Board of Acquisition and Contract in May.

    In 2018 through the Small Community Fund, Broome County provided funding for the demolition of a smokestack in the Village of Deposit to make way for their new community park, upgrade Jackson Park in the Town of Binghamton, purchase equipment for the Eastern Broome Emergency Service, support the extension of natural gas to the hamlet of Maine and other projects. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $50,000, with the average grant being approximately $16,000. Broome County will soon announce application information for the 2020 Small Community Fund.

  • Path Through History Weekend 2019 Sharing Our Stories: October 12 – 13

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County and Visit Binghamton are excited to highlight the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Susquehanna Heritage Area during the Fall 2019 Path Through History Weekend (PTHW) with events at various locations being held October 12th and 13th.

    Path Through History Weekends showcase New York State’s rich and fascinating history and feature events at historic and cultural destinations throughout the state. Broome County has participated in PTHW since 2011. The participating sites picked the “Sharing Our Stories” theme several years ago and it has remained the local theme every PTHW. 

    10 local heritage sites will be holding special events for PTHW. Each site will be celebrating local history and sharing stories in their own unique way for residents and visitors to enjoy. In addition, the historic Recreation Park Carousel will be open. 

    PTHW is a great way for people to learn about the rich history of the community and the contributions of the community, showcasing the wonderful places to visit in Broome County.

    In Fall of 2019 participating locations include:

    • Bundy Museum of History and Art
    • Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park
    • Country Wagon
    • Cutler Botanic Garden
    • Endicott History and Heritage Center
    • Nanticoke Valley Historical Society Museum/Janet Bowers Museum
    • Phelps Mansion Museum
    • Recreation Park Carousel
    • Roberson Museum and Science Center
    • Techworks!
    • Vestal Museum

    A full list of events as well as an interactive map can be found here: www.goalloutbroome.com/pthw

  • Broome County Awarded Bronze Climate Smart Community Certification

    (BINGHAMTON) Broome County has met the requirements to be a DEC bronze certified Climate Smart Community (CSC). The County announced its involvement in the NYS Climate Smart Community program in July. The program offers municipalities technical assistance, leadership recognition, and funding for implementation of projects to improve resiliency, efficiency of services, and efficiency of infrastructure.

    “Broome County has already demonstrated leadership in energy efficiency, waste reduction, community resilience and renewable energy, and we are proud to receive this certification,” said County Executive Jason Garnar. “This is just further affirmation of how our Broome County Departments are doing great work to improve our community’s sustainability and thank you to our team for all their hard work.”

    “We appreciate the work of the County Administration and the dedicated County Departments on reaching an agreement with the Legislature that led to the adoption of a Climate Smart Community Pledge that allows Broome County to put its best foot forward with the Bronze Certification,” said Broome County Legislature Chairman Daniel J. Reynolds. “We’re hopeful the State will lower the local funding requirement for the grants available under this program, because many of these projects are of Statewide significance.”

    Investments through the Climate Smart Communities program to improve energy efficiency, resiliency and waste management efficiency may save money for taxpayers and result in more resilient, livable communities and foster a vibrant, innovation-based economy.

    The New York State Climate Smart Communities Pledge is comprised of the ten following elements:

    • Build a climate-smart community
    • Inventory emissions, set goals, a plan for climate action
    • Decrease energy use
    • Shift to clean, renewable energy
    • Use climate-smart materials management
    • Implement climate-smart land use
    • Enhance community resilience to climate change
    • Support a green innovation economy
    • Inform and inspire the public
    • Engage in an evolving process of climate action

    Broome County was certified on September 26, 2019 with 178 points earned from 37 completed actions. For more information click here.

  • Broome County Asking for Your Ideas About the Future of Our Community

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) The Broome County Department of Planning and Economic Development is updating the County’s comprehensive plan and needs your input! The last comprehensive plan was adopted in 2013 and the County has made a lot of progress in implementing the recommended actions.

    A comprehensive plan outlines the vision of the community and will be used for making decisions, preparing the County’s Capital Improvement Program, and supporting grant writing efforts. Under the direction of a diverse steering committee, the County planning department is preparing an updated comprehensive plan which will be used to guide development.

    Residents are being asked to help in this effort by completing a brief online survey.  The survey covers how the County should spend its budget, what challenges residents are facing, how well the County is providing services, how the transportation system could be improved, and more. All responses will be kept confidential.

    One survey taker will win a $25 gift card from the Taste NY store on Upper Front Street. Postcards are being mailed to registered voters to encourage participation.

    Any resident can take the survey online at broomeplan2020.questionpro.com or call (607) 778-2390 to receive a paper copy.

  • Public Meeting for Broome County Comprehensive Plan Update

    At its meeting on Thursday, July 11th at 5:30 p.m., the Broome County Environmental Management Council is pleased to welcome the Broome County Department of Planning and Economic Development for a public meeting regarding the update to the Broome County Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan outlines the vision for the community into the future and is a tool for making decisions and setting priorities for County projects and programs. As Broome County begins the process of updating the Plan (adopted in 2013), they are looking for community input. There will be a short presentation with updates on progress since the last plan, followed by a workshop to get your ideas for Broome County’s future.

    To view the current Comprehensive Plan or give feedback via the online survey visit the website at broomecountyny.gov/planning/comprehensiveplan.

    The meeting is being held in the Decker Room at the Broome County Public Library, 185 Court Street, Binghamton. The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the regular EMC business meeting. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

    The Broome County Environmental Management Council is Broome County’s citizen advisory board on environmental issues. For more information about this event, visit the EMC’s Facebook Events page at www.facebook.com/broomeemc.