SUNY Canton Receives $2.6 Million For Midtown Plaza Redevelopment Project
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the SUNY Canton College Foundation, Inc., will receive $2,641,000 for the Canton Midtown Redevelopment Project.
The project was designed to transform an underutilized and derelict shopping center in the heart of downtown Canton into three floors of much-needed commercial and residential space, including 44 residential units. The anchor of the project will be the SUNY Canton Entrepreneurship Center.
“The redevelopment of Midtown Plaza will be truly transformational for Canton and the entire region,” said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. “We appreciate our partnership with Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand to bring the Entrepreneurship Center and the entire live-work-play project to fruition.”
Three pressing needs for the North Country are addressed in this project: increased economic development; commercial revitalization of Canton’s downtown area; and access to quality housing.
“The college’s plans to create an entrepreneurial center will offer business development and support to help drive long-term regional economic prosperity,” said Lenore VanderZee, Executive Director of University Relations.
The latest funding was announced as part of the omnibus end-of-year spending package for Fiscal Year 2023. It also included $2,100,000 to the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority for their Childcare Center Project.
“From helping directly address childcare deserts in Ogdensburg to breathing new life into our Main Streets in downtown Canton, these projects get to the heart of issues facing the North Country today,” said Senator Schumer. “This over $4.6 million in funding means good-paying jobs, affordable housing, attracting new businesses and giving North Country families the support they need. I am proud to have secured these significant investments to build up the future of the region and I will always fight to bring home federal dollars to the North Country.”
“This is a critical investment that will help revitalize the North Country,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Today, we are committing to putting millions toward building affordable housing, supporting local businesses, strengthening the healthcare infrastructure, and helping parents afford child care. I’m proud to have fought to secure this funding and I’ll work tirelessly to make sure North Country families, workers, and businesses have what they need to thrive.”
Both senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending requests. The announcement was released Dec. 22, 2022.
Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college’s career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.