Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced significant state funding awarded to the Mohawk Valley through Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative. The Mohawk Valley received $11.5 million in funding for a number of economic development projects with $6 million funding the demolition of the former Beech Nut facility in Canajoharie. As the only project in New York State to receive a "special project" designation, this award will allow for the demolition of abandoned and condemned warehouse space at the former Beech-Nut facility that sits on a 26-acre parcel of land, creating a 15-acre shovel-ready site.

Assemblyman Santabarbara, a civil engineer by trade, expressed support for the project in a letter to Empire State Development. “This funding is great news for the Village of Canajoharie,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “With this project we have an opportunity to help breathe new life into a beautiful area of upstate New York that is unique to the region and rich in history.”

Assemblyman Santabarbara was an advocate for the Restore New York Communities Initiative in last year’s State Budget. Through the program, cities, towns and villages are all eligible to apply for funding that support projects like this that include demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned or surplus properties. Projects located in economically distressed communities were emphasized and encouraged.

“The Restore New York Initiative continues to support our ongoing efforts to lead community development and neighborhood revitalization,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “Here in the Mohawk Valley, I know we have strong partnerships that are committed to smart growth,” Santabarbara added. “Identifying vacant and abandoned properties and turning them into assets that reinvest in upstate communities is critically important to our success.”