Nineteen non-profit booster groups, including three in Lockport, are receiving grants from the William G. Mayne Jr. Business/Community Enhancement program this year.

The program, funded by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and administered by Niagara County, is investing $39,000 in commercial district beautification and promotion efforts around the county this year.

Recipients announced by the county Legislature on Tuesday are:

• Western New York Historic Park Associates, $2,500 toward hanging baskets and median plantings along Main Street, Lockport; stone for a driveway extension at John Henry Park, Prospect Street; and production of a promotional brochure for Lockport In Bloom 2013.

• Lockport Main Street Inc., $3,000 toward production and printing of an updated Lockport Visitors Guide, which includes a map of the city and listings of attractions, restaurants, overnight accommodations and special events.

• Lockport Business Association, $1,515 toward upgrade of two Lockport “welcome” signs; and event signs for Lockport In Bloom 2013.

• Gasport Beautification Committee, $1,911 toward construction of a memorial garden with concrete walk and engraved memorial bench at Royalton Town Hall.

• Newfane Business & Professional Association, $3,000 toward Main Street plantings, sprucing up of a welcome sign, a granite bench for green space and three new lit holiday ornaments.

• Olcott Beach Community Association, $2,750 toward sidewalk replacement and addition of a flag pole and flags at the beach, plantings around the Civil War statue, lighting of the Main Street gazebo and event marketing post cards.

• Watch Wilson Grow, $2,380 toward upgrades at Krueger Park including pavilion renovation to complement the new Wilson Welcome Center.

• Sanborn Business & Professional Association, $2,000 toward new landscaping at the Welcome to Sanborn sign bed, Saunders Settlement and Hoover roads.

• Ransomville Business & Professional Association, $1,000 toward hanging floral baskets for the business district, and marketing materials for the Concerts in the Country series and Lighting of the Wreaths holiday event.

• Youngstown Business & Professional Association, $2,894 toward updating the Youngstown welcome brochure, flags and hanging baskets in the village.

• Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, $2,500 toward installation of digital signage in the new welcome center and production of 2013 promotional materials.

• Niagara USA Chamber, $1,850 toward acquisition of a marketing and communications software program.

• LaSalle Business & Professional Association, $1,500 toward sidewalk rehabilitation in the Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, Business District.

• Highland Community Revitalization Committee, $1,500 toward landscaping and gardening supplies for low-maintenance green spaces, a community vegetable garden and promotional materials.

• Main Street Business & Professional Association, $2,500 toward the placement of U.S. flags on utility poles along Main Street, Niagara Falls, seasonal plantings and two benches for Cenotaph Park, Main Street and Pine Avenue.

• Niagara Street Area Business & Professional Association, $566 toward installation of a business district sign at Niagara Street and Portage Road.

• Town of Niagara Business & Professional Association, $2,500 toward planters, commercial floral pots and replanting of existing hanging planters in the Military Road retail district.

• Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, $1,750 toward the “Walkway to Webster Street” beautification project.

• Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda, $1,372 toward creation of a large business district map, with business listings, for the Gateway Park information kiosk.

The grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Business booster groups around the county sought a combined $47,000 in support for commercial district enhancement projects, according to Kathryn Lance, R-North Tonawanda, chairman of the legislature’s economic development committee.

Source: Staff Reports (May 8, 2013). Booster groups win shares of ‘enhancement’ pot. Retrieved from http://lockportjournal.com