Mar. 30—CANTON — The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency board on Thursday afternoon awarded more than $750,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to several dozen St. Lawrence County businesses and nonprofits.
The IDA board unanimously approved the grants, following a 15-minute executive session, with no discussion prior to voting.
New York Open Meetings Law allowed the board to have the brief closed-door session to discuss the financial, credit or employment history of a corporation.
The largest single grant went to the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, $150,000 for an out-of-area destination marketing campaign.
The IDA board doled more than $600,000 from its facility and infrastructure improvements fund. American Legion Post 1539 in Star Lake received $38,000 for a new HVAC system. Seven businesses and organizations received $25,000 each. They include Breezy Maples Farm in Massena to build a new shell for a welcome center; Grist Mill in Massena for an outdoor patio area; High Peaks Winery in Winthrop for a new open-air pavilion; In-Law Brewery in Chase Mills to expand into a new larger space; Iron Horse-Blast Boss in Morristown for a three-season outdoor space; Norfolk Concert Series to build a new band shell; and River Street Brewing in Ogdensburg to renovate a garage into a tap room.
Grants of $20,000 each went to At the Docks in Ogdensburg to redevelop blighted property; TAUNY in Canton for a new air conditioning system; and United Helpers in Canton for a Sparx HVAC system. Other recipients include: Woodcrest Dairy in Lisbon, $18,000 to improve ventilation; Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg to rehabilitate an air conditioning system; Market Square in Potsdam, $16,000 for an HVAC system; Otto's Abode in Wanakena, $15,00 for refrigeration equipment; Police Activities League in Massena, $15,000 for new windows and doors; Adirondack Fragrance Farm in Parishville, $14,500 for an air filtration system; Fox Rust in Hermon, $10,000 for a barn addition with ventilation; St. James Outreach and Thrift Store in Gouverneur. $10,000 to rehabilitate an air handling system; TBB River Road (Main St. PERC) in Waddington, $10,000 for an outdoor patio area.
Also receiving facility and infrastructure improvements funding are: Fahrenheit in Massena, $7,000 for a central air system; St. Lawrence County Historical Association in Canton, $7,000 to rehabilitate bathrooms; Kuno Oil in Canton, $6,000 to upgrade ventilation for a cooking area; North Country Transitional Housing in Ogdensburg, $6,000 to improve rental units; and Far and Away Properties, Canton, $5,000 to improve rental units.