Published: May 21, 2008 06:09 pm            

BRIDGE COMMISSION: Agency to support 21 county groups with $42,000 in grant funds

A fund that honors the work of a former representative from the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission will support the efforts of 21 Niagara County community organizations in the coming year.

Members of the Niagara County Legislature this week announced the names of groups that will be supported with a total of $42,000 in grant funding to be made available through the 2008 William G. Mayne Jr. Business and Community Enhancement program.

The program, supported with revenue from the Bridge Commission and established in 1998 in honor of Mayne, a long-time commissioner and community advocate who passed away last year, will supply grants for park improvements, community enhancement projects and promotional efforts in communities across the county.

“Throughout his professional career, I can’t think of too many things that Bill Mayne didn’t touch in Niagara County in a very positive way,” said Bridge Commission General Manager Thomas Garlock.

The commission owns and operates the Lewiston-Queenston, Rainbow and Whirlpool Rapids international bridges. Garlock said the Business and Community Enhancement Program is an extension of an earlier practice in which the commission donated funds directly to the county. Garlock said the commission formally adopted the program at the urging of Maine who convinced county lawmakers to distribute the revenue to various local organizations so it could be used for enhancement projects as opposed to being funneled directly into the county’s general fund. All of the revenue made available this year will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the organizations receiving funds.

“It’s descriptive of Bill’s involvement in the county at large and the great passion he had for Niagara County,” Garlock said.

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250.



Who got what?

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission’s William G. Mayne Jr. Business/Community Enhancement Program provides matching grants to various community organizations in support of local enhancement projects and promotional efforts. The following organizations will receive funding this year:

• WNY HISTORIC PARK ASSOC.: $2,500 for landscaping on the Kenan grounds, at various city parks and enhancements at John Henry Historic Millennium Grove

• HIGHLAND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE: $2,250 for landscaping at the Niagara Falls Housing Authority and other HCRC designated areas and creation of an agency Web site

• WATCH WILSON GROW: $3,000 to erect an electronic sign at Young and Lake streets



Chamber of commerce’s

• NIAGARA USA: $1,100 for placement of an entrance sign at Lockport Road and Inducon Corporate Drive West

• LOWER NIAGARA RIVER REGION: $2,500 for the production and distribution of a new visitor’s guide and marketing brochure

• TONAWANDAS: $3,500 for the production of a five to seven minute DVD that will showcase cultural and tourist attractions



Business Associations

• MAIN STREET: $1,000 for the purchase hanging flower baskets on Main Street in the Falls

• NIAGARA STREET: $2,000 for landscape improvements around the Gill Greek gazebo

• DOWNTOWN: $2,350 for the purchase of banners and hanging flower baskets in Falls tourism district

• PINE AVENUE: $2,500 for the purchase of hanging flower baskets and flowers for new cast-iron urns along Pine Avenue and at Columbus Square Park

• LASALLE: $2,000 for the purchase of additional bences, flowerpots and trash receptacles along Buffalo Avenue

• TOWN OF NIAGARA: $3,000 for the purchase of additional holiday decorations along the Military Road business district

• YOUNGSTOWN: $1,164 for promotional signs and landscaping to beautify the village business district

• RANSOMVILLE: $1,500 for phase II of the association’s historic markers program

• WHEATFIELD: $3,000 for the restoration of Wheatfield’s historic schoolhouse

• SANBORN: $530 for signs and landscaping at entryways to the Hamlet of Sanborn

• NEWFANE: $1,300 to plant perennial flowers at tree bases along Main Street and LED tree lighting

• LOCKPORT: $3,000 for a boat enhancement project at the Transit Road entrance to the city’s Canal District

• OLCOTT BEACH COMMUNITY: $1,500 to erect three promotional signs to promote attractions, food, lodging, restrooms and shopping

• MIDDLEPORT: $2,350 to erect signs promoting the village’s designation by Business Week magazine as the 11th Best Place in the Nation to raise children

        

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