CRC gifts $12K for program
Funds to aid projects
TROY, N.Y. » The Troy City Council recently announced it will continue its Neighborhood Improvement Program after receiving a gift of $12,000 from the Troy Capital Resource Corporation.
According to a news release, in 2017, the City Council awarded $9,000 in funding to neighborhood organizations and volunteers for projects aimed at creating aesthetic improvements and encouraging community involvement in neighborhoods throughout the city.
The release from Councilman TJ Kennedy went on to state that 16 neighborhood groups worked in coordination with the Troy Neighborhood Action Council to carry out NIP projects. This program has been highly successful each year in supporting volunteer efforts to improve the quality of life in Troy, the release said.
Kennedy, who said he spearheaded the efforts to restore NIP project funding after it was cut from this year’s budget, stated that “Thanks to the persistent efforts of local leaders, Troy has entered a new period of growth and development. A strong network of community organizations and neighborhood groups has made Troy a desirable place to live andwork, supporting the development efforts of the city government and business community. The NIP program has been integral to this process as it has funded grassroots revitalization efforts throughout the city.”
The NIP received funding from the CRC because NIP projects promote community and economic development by strengthening community organizations and improving public places, making the city more attractive for businesses and their employees, according to officials.
In the release, Kennedy said the City Council has issued a new set of guidelines and requirements to update the program. NIP project applicants must provide a detailed plan that clearly demonstrates aesthetic improvements and community impact in their neighborhoods. The NIP awards will be based on the strength of each application. Some of the evaluation criteria for NIP projects includes: neighborhood impact, public visibility, community partnerships, and alignment with the Comprehensive Plan.
Officials also said the maximum award amount is $1,000 per project. Materials and supplies should be purchased from a local business in Rensselaer County to the greatest extent possible. Payments will be made directly to vendors. Direct payments or reimbursements to individuals will not be approved. Funding will be distributed equally across the city to the extent possible based on an evaluation of the proposed projects.
City officials said the emphasis of NIP for 2018 is public art and gardens but other proposals will be considered.
The new 2018 application and guidelines can be found online at www.troyny.gov/nip on the Troy City Council Facebook page, or at the City Clerk’s Office, 433 River Street, 5th Floor, Troy, NY 12180. Questions should be submitted in writing via e-mail to cityclerk@ troyny.gov. The City Clerk must receive all NIP applications by 4:30 p.m. on April 16, 2018.
The release said that the City Council NIP Committee (Jim Gulli, Anasha Cummings, and TJ Kennedy) will evaluate the applications to make recommendations to be approved at the May 3rd meeting of the City Council. Final determination of project funding awards must be voted on by the City Council.