(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, N.Y. – National Grid is sparking a renaissance across Western New York by awarding economic development grants to five projects, transforming vacant buildings into vibrant hubs of commerce and industry. Through the Main Street Revitalization program, these grants are not just financial boosts; they symbolize the region’s commitment to growth and community rejuvenation.
National Grid’s Main Street Revitalization program provides critical funding to property owners, municipalities, and non-profits dedicated to transforming vacant structures into thriving commercial spaces. These revitalized buildings are becoming cornerstones of Western New York’s central business districts, igniting local economies and creating jobs.
“Many of our customers see potential in old, vacant buildings that can be converted into thriving commercial or industrial sites, retail stores, or new company headquarters,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa. “Our economic development programs serve as catalysts and are investments that can result in adding or preserving jobs and rejuvenating communities.”
Projects Leading the Charge in Western New York
Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC) – $350,000 Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC) received two grants totaling $350,000 to support key projects in Buffalo. A $250,000 grant will fund construction at 541 East Delevan Avenue, transforming the 44,000-square-foot building into a space for commercial and light industrial tenants, expected to create around 90 jobs. An additional $100,000 will assist in renovating a 15,000-square-foot building at 612 Northland Avenue for manufacturing and industrial use.
“I am extremely grateful for National Grid’s continued partnership in the Northland Corridor,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, who also serves as BUDC’s chairman of the board of directors. “This $350,000 will leverage the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Challenge grant for Phase 3, for which Buffalo competed at the federal level to secure. This partnership is a testament to the collective effort in Northland Corridor redevelopment, which will continue to bring jobs to East Buffalo.”
Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) – $100,000 The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) is relocating its workforce development training center to a previously vacant warehouse at 368 Sycamore Street in Buffalo. With a $100,000 grant, BCAT will expand its adult workforce offerings and afterschool arts and technology programs in the 21,000-square-foot building, which boasts more than 300 work-ready health and IT graduates annually.
“National Grid’s commitment to investing in East Buffalo and to organizations focused on the city’s economic vitality is a testament to what can happen when we work together,” said Gina Burkhardt, president and CEO of BCAT. “Their investment means access to cost-free education and career training where it’s needed most. It’s a win for the whole community.”
Center for Kashmir – $100,000 An abandoned church at 650 Park Place in Niagara Falls will be repurposed by Center for Kashmir Inc. as the new Kashmir Museum, employing four full-time staff. The museum will house a library and artifacts, including 600 original paintings from the early 1800s. The $100,000 grant will fund renovations, including a new roof, masonry repairs, and updated mechanical and electrical systems.
“This grant helps revive an abandoned historic building in Niagara Falls, while promoting cultural heritage and economic development, aligning with our vision of a downtown arts and cultural corridor,” said Dr. Khurshid Guru, Center for Kashmir board chair.
African Heritage Economic Initiative – $100,000 The African Heritage Economic Initiative is rehabilitating a property at 238 Carlton Street in Buffalo’s Fruit Belt neighborhood. The $100,000 grant will transform the space into a 3,500-square-foot grocery store, dining area, community meeting space, and offices, creating 20 new jobs.
National Grid: A Beacon of Economic Development
National Grid’s robust economic development grant programs have been instrumental in revitalizing upstate New York. Recognized by Site Selection Magazine as a 2023 Top Utility in Economic Development, National Grid stands out among approximately 3,300 electric utilities nationwide, with operations concentrated in the Northeast. Since 2003, the company has provided over $154 million in grants, helping create or retain more than 67,000 jobs and supporting $11.7 billion in private and public investments.
For more information on National Grid’s economic development programs, including application details, visit www.shovelready.com.
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