NATIONAL GRID AWARDS NEARLY $1 MILLION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO SCHENECTADY PROJECTS

National Grid has awarded nearly $1 million to further develop and enhance two major economic development projects in Schenectady County.

“Schenectady County’s economic development team works closely every day with National Grid to bring new jobs and new investment to our community. We appreciate National Grid’s commitment to rebuilding our economy. These two grants helped our economic development team secure almost $70 million in new investments in our County,” said Vincent DiCerbo, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning.

Congressman Paul Tonko said, “Investments in our cities are investments that pay off for the entire region in terms of economic development, jobs and recreation. I want to thank National Grid for working in partnership with government and other local businesses to improve and strengthen the downtown Schenectady area and contribute to its vibrant rebirth.”

Metroplex has received a $763,000 grant to benefit a project that will link State Street and the Proctors block redevelopment area in downtown Schenectady to Union College and Union Graduate College. The project includes the rehabilitation and expansion of Center City, a $30 million mixed use commercial, retail, and tech complex that also features a new YMCA branch. A new five-story addition to Center City is currently under construction. The new pedestrian walkway that will link Center City to the two colleges will include energy efficient LED lighting and will serve as a connector between the two colleges and the growing downtown.

In addition, National Grid provided a $200,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Assistance grant for the cleanup of the ten-acre former “Big N” site. As a result of this rehabilitation project, the site was chosen as the home of the new, LEED certified Golub Headquarters, a $30 million project that is nearing completion just a few blocks from the new Center City complex. The new Golub Headquarters will bring 850 jobs to downtown Schenectady and represents a $37 million investment.