OGDENSBURG - Years after the city assisted in securing $1.3 million in grant funding to aid his venture, a former Ogdensburg man is moving forward with plans to open a hardware center to the former …
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OGDENSBURG - Years after the city assisted in securing $1.3 million in grant funding to aid his venture, a former Ogdensburg man is moving forward with plans to open a hardware center to the former Hackett’s Hardware building.
Noble’s Ace Hardware is expected to open in August bringing 25 full-time jobs and likely some additional part-time positions to the city.
In a prepared statement Robert A. Noble III, who owns Noble Ace Hardware stores in Vermont, New York and New Hampshire, said he is buying the former Hacketts store from the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad. He offered praise to city officials old and new for helping pave the way.
“Over my 30 years in the retail industry in three states, I can honestly say that I have never seen city government officials and a county industrial development agency staff so helpful and welcoming to a new business as the City of Ogdensburg staff and the St. Lawrence County IDA staff,” Noble said. “This project never would have happened without their help, guidance and encouragement every step of the way.”
He says the project will get a major commercial building back on the city, school and county property tax roll and bring a new, major retail department store and hardware company to Ogdensburg.
Noble says the store will bring additional sales tax to the city and county and create new jobs above the minimum wage.
He said that county officials and the Industrial Development Agency have also been crucial in moving the plan forward.
“When I was trying to put this $4 million project together, the IDA and the city of Ogdensburg helped me apply for a $1.3 million Restore New York grant that will help me save the Hackett’s building and help return it to its glory days as a major retail and shopping destination,” he said. “While my company is putting up most of the money by selling three of my six stores and taking most of the risk on this project, the IDA has been helping me every step of the way.”
He expects the store will draw visitors and tourists to Ogdensburg, its stores and restaurants and is an opportunity to “save a major Ogdensburg landmark, renovate the building and prevent it from further deterioration.”
The project will aid the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad’s debt associated with the building and help stabilize their budget by providing a long-term, affordable, lease and permanent home at its current location.
“Anyone who visits Ogdensburg’s Marina District can see that Ogdensburg is on the move,” Noble said in a prepared statement. “I believe in the future of Ogdensburg and I want to be part of the effort to get the Maple City back on its feet. I believe the time is right for business people to invest in our community’s future.”
He also offered praise for several community members including St. Lawrence County Legislator Jim Reagen, St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency CEO Patrick Kelly, former Ogdensburg Planning Director Andrea Smith, IDA staff member John Pinkerton, City Councilor Storm Cilley, City staff member Jennifer Ashley, City Manager Fonda Chronis, OVRS Chief Ken Gardner, OVRS President Michael Paige, City Councilor Storm Cilley, the OVRS officers and board of directors, Mayor Mike Tooley and City Council and the past city council.
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