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LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Livingston County won its first ever National Association of Counties (NACo) award this year, positioning the county to apply for multi-million dollar grants.
Fresh on the heels of receiving the inaugural Community Economic Development award from the NYS Economic Development Council, Livingston County Development’s trophy case just welcomed it’s newest addition. Last week, the National Association of Counties (NACo) granted Livingston County a 2016 Achievement Award for its Downtown Partnership Program in the category of Community/Economic Development.
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“Building on this momentum, the County is planning several grant requests in the $5 to 10 MM range, to take the program to even higher positions of success and prestige,” said Director of Livingston County Development Bill Bacon.
For 46 years, NACo has recognized innovative programs in county government through the Achievement Awards Program. In order to be eligible to apply for a NACo Achievement Award, the program submitted by Livingston County had to measure up to a number of competitive criteria.
The Downtown Partnership Program combines grant funding for physical improvements with technical assistance for business owners and community groups. The Partnership brings the county’s nine villages together under one program with a mission to create sustainable, vibrant and authentic downtown districts.
The success of the Livingston County Downtown Partnership program has inspired legislation from State Senator Catharine Young. She is sponsoring a bill which would establish a New York Main Street Development Center within the state’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal Department, which would provide assistance to local governments across New York State seeking to revitalize their own downtowns.
“There is not a more successful or innovative county-led program in the state that can match our Downtown Partnership Program. We are ready for the next, truly transformative level in this award-winning venture,” said County Administrator Ian Coyle.