Niagara County announces Mayne Fund awardees

The Niagara County Center for Economic Development announced grant awards to business associations across Niagara County through the William G. Mayne, Jr. Business/Community Enhancement Fund. The Mayne Fund, established in 1998 to enhance and enrich the business climate and overall landscape in Niagara County’s communities, is made possible through the efforts of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and the Niagara County Legislature.

“These associations operate at a grassroots level across Niagara County to promote business through projects that enhance their local business districts,” said Legislator Rich Andres, chairman of the economic development committee. “Now, more than ever, as we emerge from the pandemic, we need to get behind efforts that bring people to main street businesses, so we are thankful to have the Mayne Fund to do that.”

The Mayne Fund offers cash grants of up to $5,000 to business associations for the purposes of assisting plans for brick-and-mortar community improvements as well as creating marketing materials such as brochures promoting business districts. Projects must be cost effective and either physically enhance or promote the community. Grant funds require a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Niagara County Economic Development Commissioner Michael Casale said 18 different organizations will receive awards totaling $47,360:

• Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas
• Downtown Merchants of North Tonawanda
• Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association
• LaSalle Business Association
• Lockport Main Street Inc.
• Newfane Business Association
• Niagara County Farm Bureau
• Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce
• Niagara Street Neighborhood Revitalization Organization
• Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce
• Olcott Beach Community Association
• Pendleton Community & Business Association
• Pine Avenue Redevelopment Project (PARP)
• Project Pride of North Tonawanda
• Sanborn Business & Professional Association
• Town of Niagara Business & Professional Association
• WNY Historic Parks Association
• Youngstown Business & Professional Association

“The Mayne Fund helps support all the small projects that help entice consumers to a business district, be it improved landscaping, signage, benches, decorative banners and so on,” Casale said. “This is the first year that we have been able to fully fund every request we received. I look forward to the announcements of the individual projects in coming weeks.”