ONEONTA – Governor Cuomo couldn’t make it, called away from a City of the Hills appearance by a collapsing crane on the Tappan Zee Bridge project. But he sent the check. $10 million. Howard Zemsky, Empire Development Corp. president, announced at 3:45 p.m. that Oneonta has won the special multi-million allocation earmarked for downtown redevelopment in the whole Mohawk Valley Economic Development Region. In making the announcement, Zemsky said this city’s application – it was championed and fast-tracked in May by Mayor Gary Herzig, assisted by Otsego Now President Sandy Mathes and his staff – had it all: an affordable … Read More

Oneonta was awarded a $10 million grant in the state’s competitive Downtown Revitalization Initiative, funding which officials said will benefit not only the city but the entire region for years to come. “Congratulations,” said Howard Zemsky, head of Empire State Development, in announcing the award to thunderous applause at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center on Tuesday afternoon. State, county and town politicians, along with community and business leaders, joined Oneonta’s mayor, Common Council and city staff for the announcement at the Foothills production center on Market Street downtown. Organizers said 200 people attended the event. “The importance of … Read More