Cassadaga Forward: Village officials optimistic over New York State Grant

More than 30 members of the Village of Cassadaga community came together to set sights on substantial improvements to the village over the past several months. The group was formed to determine what the village hopes to see in the future in terms of future economic growth, with sights set on grant funding through the New York Forward program.

The grant application was submitted earlier this month, and already, regional officials have taken notice.

Representatives from the Village of Cassadaga’s New York Forward Grant Committee will meet with the WNY Regional Economic Development Council on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 1:30 p.m. in Buffalo to discuss the submission. Among the points the group will be asked to focus on during its presentation include what makes Cassadaga unique, what ideas the village has in mind if it were to be selected, and why the community is ready for the opportunities the grant funding would apply.

The NY Forward program targets smaller, rural communities to support revitalization projects. This year, $100 million is available statewide, as each of the 10 Regional Economic Development Councils will recommend two communities for $4.5 million NY Forward awards.

Cassadaga resident Nancy Wickmark will be involved with a presentation in an attempt to secure New York Forward Grant funding.

Coupled with the State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the two state programs focused on downtown revitalization and economic development will award $200 million this year, bringing the total amount of funds awarded through the two programs since 2016 to $1.2 billion.

Cassadaga resident Nancy Wickmark has taken the lead on the New York Forward Grant process. Mayor Bill Dorman communicated with Wickmark regarding the meeting, and Wickmark expressed that the committee will be prepared for the presentation.

In other future project discussions, the village will be submitting requests for qualifications regarding its upcoming water capital project in the coming weeks.