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Payback for Quad spending uncertain
Deadline for funding applications is March 31
By John Mason
COLUMBIA COUNTY — When it comes to Quadricentennial funding, there’s no guarantee in this economy, county officials are warning towns, villages and organizations that are planning celebrations. Columbia County Tourism Administrator Ann Cooper said a contract is on the way from the state, and she should be receiving the first funds shortly thereafter.
But expenditures thereafter will be paid up front, in the hope they will be reimbursed.
The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial is New York state’s celebration of three notable events: Henry Hudson’s discovery of the Hudson River in 1609, Samuel de Champlain’s discovery of Lake Champlain in the same year, and Robert Fulton’s launching of his steamboat 202 years ago — in 1807, which is close enough for quadricentennials.
Communities up and down the river and in the Champlain Valley have been planning their celebrations for several years, and the state has promised $45,000 in funding to eligible counties and cities, said Cooper. Twenty-five percent of this, or $11,250, will come up front, and the county Board of Supervisors designated that she use that initial amount for promotion of Quadricentennial events in the county.
That leaves $33,750 to be granted out by the county into the communities for their events and celebrations.
“The problem is the communities must spend that money up front, with no guarantee of reimbursement,” Cooper said.
In collaboration with the County Attorney’s Office, Cooper prepared an application that cautions applicants to be aware that neither the county nor the Tourism Department can “guarantee that the State of New York will in fact provide monies to the Columbia County Tourism Department for reimbursement to eligible applicants hereunder.
“Thus, applicants by their signature below acknowledge that they may not receive reimbursement from the County of Columbia and/or the Columbia County Tourism Department for the monies they have spent on a project described above.”
The application asks for project descriptions, amount of funding requested and complete project budgets: Fundable categories are personnel, supplies and materials, contractual services, equipment, travel and other.
Communities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is March 31. Applications must be submitted both by e-mail and hard copy. The e-mail address is acooper@govt.co.columbia.ny.us. The postal address is Columbia County Tourism Department, 401 State Street, Hudson NY 12534, attention: Ann Cooper.
Applications can be picked up at the Tourism Department at 401 State St.
Cooper said some towns and organizations are planning on celebrating regardless of whether the state comes through with the paybacks.
Stuyvesant holds an annual history day, and it’s incorporating the Quadricentennial celebration into it. Although the town isn’t counting on state funding, “it would behoove it to apply in hopes of possible reimbursement,” Cooper said. “If a community were counting on grant money, their event might be in jeopardy.”
Such organizations as the Columbia County Historical Society, the Olana Partnership, Clermont Historic Site and the Friends of Lindenwald are moving ahead with their celebrations, she said.
County Quadricentennial Chairwoman Ruth Piwonka said, “Our fingers are crossed. Great things are planned and hoped for out there.” Most towns are not quite ready to commit to anything, she said, but “we’ll be learning more in the not-too-distant future.”
The city of Hudson is slated to receive $45,000 from the state. The city is not regranting, Cooper said, so Hudson entities, such as the Opera House, may apply for funding from the county’s grant.
“I’m proceeding as if we have the money, because I have not been told otherwise,” said Hudson Quadricentennial Chairwoman Ellen Thurston. “We have letters saying we can have the money if we comply with certain things.”
So far, the city’s celebration has two main projects:
n A riverfront festival July 24 through 26, which will be visited by the Half Moon, an 85-foot replica of the ship Henry Hudson used to explore the Hudson River. Tours of the boat will be offered, and there will be musical concerts, Thurston said.
n A quadathlon on Aug. 2. Contestants will run across the bridge from Greenport to Catskill, swim in the Catskill Creek, bike through Athens and kayak to Hudson. However, Thurston said rather than single contestants the events will probably be handled by relay teams. Hilary Hillman is coordinating the event.
“The river that unites us, not divides us,” Thurston said.
To reach reporter John Mason, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail jmason@registerstar.com.
By John Mason
COLUMBIA COUNTY — When it comes to Quadricentennial funding, there’s no guarantee in this economy, county officials are warning towns, villages and organizations that are planning celebrations. Columbia County Tourism Administrator Ann Cooper said a contract is on the way from the state, and she should be receiving the first funds shortly thereafter.
But expenditures thereafter will be paid up front, in the hope they will be reimbursed.
The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial is New York state’s celebration of three notable events: Henry Hudson’s discovery of the Hudson River in 1609, Samuel de Champlain’s discovery of Lake Champlain in the same year, and Robert Fulton’s launching of his steamboat 202 years ago — in 1807, which is close enough for quadricentennials.
Communities up and down the river and in the Champlain Valley have been planning their celebrations for several years, and the state has promised $45,000 in funding to eligible counties and cities, said Cooper. Twenty-five percent of this, or $11,250, will come up front, and the county Board of Supervisors designated that she use that initial amount for promotion of Quadricentennial events in the county.
That leaves $33,750 to be granted out by the county into the communities for their events and celebrations.
“The problem is the communities must spend that money up front, with no guarantee of reimbursement,” Cooper said.
In collaboration with the County Attorney’s Office, Cooper prepared an application that cautions applicants to be aware that neither the county nor the Tourism Department can “guarantee that the State of New York will in fact provide monies to the Columbia County Tourism Department for reimbursement to eligible applicants hereunder.
“Thus, applicants by their signature below acknowledge that they may not receive reimbursement from the County of Columbia and/or the Columbia County Tourism Department for the monies they have spent on a project described above.”
The application asks for project descriptions, amount of funding requested and complete project budgets: Fundable categories are personnel, supplies and materials, contractual services, equipment, travel and other.
Communities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is March 31. Applications must be submitted both by e-mail and hard copy. The e-mail address is acooper@govt.co.columbia.ny.us. The postal address is Columbia County Tourism Department, 401 State Street, Hudson NY 12534, attention: Ann Cooper.
Applications can be picked up at the Tourism Department at 401 State St.
Cooper said some towns and organizations are planning on celebrating regardless of whether the state comes through with the paybacks.
Stuyvesant holds an annual history day, and it’s incorporating the Quadricentennial celebration into it. Although the town isn’t counting on state funding, “it would behoove it to apply in hopes of possible reimbursement,” Cooper said. “If a community were counting on grant money, their event might be in jeopardy.”
Such organizations as the Columbia County Historical Society, the Olana Partnership, Clermont Historic Site and the Friends of Lindenwald are moving ahead with their celebrations, she said.
County Quadricentennial Chairwoman Ruth Piwonka said, “Our fingers are crossed. Great things are planned and hoped for out there.” Most towns are not quite ready to commit to anything, she said, but “we’ll be learning more in the not-too-distant future.”
The city of Hudson is slated to receive $45,000 from the state. The city is not regranting, Cooper said, so Hudson entities, such as the Opera House, may apply for funding from the county’s grant.
“I’m proceeding as if we have the money, because I have not been told otherwise,” said Hudson Quadricentennial Chairwoman Ellen Thurston. “We have letters saying we can have the money if we comply with certain things.”
So far, the city’s celebration has two main projects:
n A riverfront festival July 24 through 26, which will be visited by the Half Moon, an 85-foot replica of the ship Henry Hudson used to explore the Hudson River. Tours of the boat will be offered, and there will be musical concerts, Thurston said.
n A quadathlon on Aug. 2. Contestants will run across the bridge from Greenport to Catskill, swim in the Catskill Creek, bike through Athens and kayak to Hudson. However, Thurston said rather than single contestants the events will probably be handled by relay teams. Hilary Hillman is coordinating the event.
“The river that unites us, not divides us,” Thurston said.
To reach reporter John Mason, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail jmason@registerstar.com.
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