Walking through the streets of New Berlin will soon look a little different. Two local businesses, New York Pizzeria and Redner's Grocery, will soon be updating their appearances with the help of a Village of New Berlin Main Street Grant.
Last year, the economic development affiliate of Commerce Chenango – Development Chenango Corporation (DCC) – announced that it had been awarded $250,000 in funding to establish the grant program in the Village of New Berlin.
Frank Baio, a familiar face in downtown New Berlin for more than thirty years is one of the two business owners to apply for a share of the grant money.
“The application process took a little longer than I had anticipated, but it paid off. I'm looking forward to working with Commerce Chenango to move forward with the renovations,” Baio said.
Baio explained that the grant money will assist his business with replacing the nearly 30 year old windows with energy efficient to both his restaurant front and rental units above the New Berlin pizzeria which has served village patrons since January of 1982.
According to Baio, upgrades to the HVAC heating systems and continuing the front facade to the south side of the building are also in the scope of work. He added, “My family and I are very thankful to the New York State office of community renewal and Commerce Chenango for assisting with the grant acquisitions. The grant money we will receive will help a great deal in not only improving the outside apparence of the business, but will also help us run a more profitable business by improving our buildings’ energy efficency,” Baio said.
Meanwhile one building north, Gretchen Redner, owner of Redners' Grocery Store is also preparing for some major renovations to her grocery. Redners', formerly known as the “Big M” is preparing to have the entire roof – which has been neglected for a number of years – replaced with a portion of the grant funding that her business received. According to Redner, the purposed repairs and upgrades to the six high-demand rental units above her store front – of which a portion of grant money will be allotted – will work twofold to usher in rental income and increase foot traffic to Main Street New Berlin.
Said Redner, “We are very lucky and appreciative to have been awarded the grant money; we knew that we would have to repair the six water-damaged rental units above the store when we purchased the business. Being approved for the grant funding brings a much needed infusion of cash and allows us to complete the much needed work ahead of what we anticipated.”
When the Redners acquired the blighted building, they realized the potential and need of a local grocer in downtown New Berlin. Said Redner, “We understood how important it was to New Berlin area residents to keep a 'downtown' grocery store alive and running in the village; while we realize that people are worried about the longevity of our business, we want to assure folks in New Berlin of our determination and that we're here to stay, just as the Baio's”
The New Berlin Main Street grant was one of five Chenango County projects whose funding stemmed from Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council awards ceremony in 2012.
In a media release, New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter said, “We are excited about moving forward with the projects and the vision that everyone shares for revitalizing our village"
Commerce Chenango Economic Development Director Jennifer Tavares said in the release, “We are very excited to receive this funding and look forward to working with the Village and property owners to enhance the charm and vitality of their historic downtown.”
“There is still a substantial amount of grant funding available for New Berlin business owners to utilize”, She added. Nearly $275,000 of the $334,000 remains available. Tavares encourages other downtown New Berlin business owners and entrepreneurs to contact Commerce Chenango with inquiries into the application process at 334-5532.