The St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency is now accepting applications for the 2017 Community Development and Environmental Improvement Fund.

Eligible applicants include communities and not-for-profit organizations in St. Lawrence County that are planning to undertake a project that will provide a clear and demonstrable economic, community or environmental benefit. Applications are due by 4 p.m. April 14.

The RVRDA has allocated up to $329,000 for the Community Development and Environmental Improvement Fund for 2017.

When reviewing applications, the RVRDA and the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency Local Development Corporation will give priority to those projects which most clearly support and advance community development, environmental improvement, and employment opportunities and projects that propose to use CD/EI resources to leverage funds from federal, State, and regional programs, foundations, or other such external sources. Examples of activities may include:

• Projects that clearly execute provisions of the County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy or other current county or community development plans.

• Projects that directly promote local entrepreneurs and small business development.

• Projects that target funds to maintain or rehabilitate existing infrastructure that relates to economic development projects that service existing businesses/industries or new businesses.

• Projects that target funds to extend existing infrastructure-related to economic development projects (such as infrastructure that services existing businesses and industry or new businesses).

• Projects that utilize brownfield sites and/or underutilized/abandoned properties and buildings.

• Projects that promote building development or redevelopment for business use.

• Projects that support development of research/technology/IT facilities and businesses.

• Projects that directly support local energy production and/or utilization and/or energy conservation.

Applicants and their proposed project(s) must be principally located in St. Lawrence County.

The level and form of assistance provided by the Community Development and Environmental Improvement Fund will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may include loans, grants or other types of financial assistance. Funds may be used for a number of purposes including real estate acquisition, building construction and rehabilitation, machinery and equipment, and working capital. Funds generally may not be used to fund normal operating costs.

For further information about the program, or to request an application, contact Kimberly Gilbert at the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency Local Development Corporation at 315-379-9806 or kgilbert@slcida.com. The application can also be accessed and submitted via the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency website at www.slrvra.com.