NORWICH – Following a brief public hearing during the Chenango County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, the board approved the next step in a multimillion dollar undertaking by local paint manufacturer Golden Artist Colors.

During the meeting, supervisors unanimously approved the submission of a community development block grant application to the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal on behalf of Golden Artist Colors. If awarded, the grant would provide substantial funds for Columbus based company to purchase and renovate the former Apple Converting facility on Hale Street in the City of Norwich, a $2.5 million expansion project estimated to bring 37 new jobs to the Norwich area over the next five years.

“We are in need of a little more space, which is a good thing,” said Golden President and COO Barbara Schindler. “We looked at places in Norwich and in Oneonta, and we think this is the best place ... For moving people back and forth as well as products, it’s a good fit for us.”