BUFFALO, N.Y. – National Grid has approved more than $1.3 million in economic development grants to support eight western New York projects, including six in the city of Buffalo, that are designed to grow the regional economy. The company provided the funding through its suite of economic development programs that, among other goals, support brownfield remediation, restoration of longtime vacant buildings and facility upgrades. 

“We’re proud to work with customers who deliver visionary projects that revitalize our communities, including initiatives to reinvigorate older buildings or vacant parcels, turning them into new manufacturing sites, retail stores, commercial centers and apartments,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa. “These projects, and our ability to partner with our customers and communities to see them to fruition, serve as examples of our unwavering commitment to western New York.” 

Since 2019, the company has provided $950,000 to support various Northland Corridor projects, including $390,000 for recent rehab projects at 631 and 777 Northland Ave. In September, National Grid approved more than $760,000 in economic development grants to support seven western New York projects. 

The eight most recent western New York initiatives and the corresponding economic development grant programs that support them include:




The Power House Building on Lee Street in Buffalo.


Power House at Color Park to become events center 
The Project: The former Schoellkopf and Chemical Co. powerhouse at 140 Lee St. once powered a portion of Buffalo’s heavy industry. The former boiler building dates to 1917 and later was owned by Buffalo Color Corp. which made dyes, including those used to color blue jeans. After sitting vacant for 25 years, OSC Holdings is undertaking a massive $15.5 million transformation of Power House at Color Park, which will become an entertainment and events center with a rooftop patio, offices and apartments. National Grid’s $300,000 grant will offset costs related to demolition, cleanup and asbestos remediation.

Grant Program: Project funding was provided through National Grid’s Brownfield Redevelopment program, which funds utility-related infrastructure improvements and other costs necessary to progress the redevelopment of a brownfield site or building.

Time Release Properties LLC is currently located at 205 Dingens St. 

Grant to be used for electricity infrastructure at new Lackawanna manufacturing site
The Project: Time Release Properties LLC is planning a $35 million, 290,000-square-foot facility at the former Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna that will replace its current, 120,000-square-foot Buffalo building at 205 Dingens St. Time Release Properties is a division of TMP Technologies Inc., which makes specialty foam, rubber and plastics. The new facility will support company growth, which includes plans to add 60 jobs. National Grid’s $280,000 economic development grant will cover costs related to electricity infrastructure at the new facility. 

Grant Program: National Grid’s Electric Capital Investment program, which provides funds to offset costs associated with upgrading utility infrastructure to accommodate a business expansion or new construction project.  

478 Main St. in Buffalo 

Once remediated, iconic Hens & Kelly building to become mixed-use facility
The Project: A $250,000 National Grid grant will offset a portion of multi-million-dollar remediation costs at the nearly 100-year-old, 140,000-square-foot building at 478 Main St. in Buffalo. The Mohawk Group plans to convert the iconic, six-story former Hens & Kelly department store into a mixed-use building that would include retail space, commercial space and apartments.
Grant Program: Funding for the project was provided through National Grid’s Main Street Revitalization program, which is used as part of renewal plans for main streets and commercial corridors in villages, towns and cities within the company’s service territory.

PlasticWeld to operate upgraded machinery on new three-phase power supply
The Project: Newfane-based medical device manufacturer PlasticWeld Systems will use a National Grid $245,000 economic development grant to offset costs related to new three-phase power supply. The new power supply is required to operate new machinery, which PlasticWeld expects to improve product quality, as well as streamline and increase production. The company also plans to add jobs. 
Grant Program: National Grid’s Three-Phase Power Incentive Program provides grants that fund the extension of three-phase electricity service to National Grid customers.

177 Elm St. in Buffalo 

9187 Group to convert 19^th Century Elm Street building to apartments, retail space 
The Project: 9187 Group has plans for a mixed-use building at 177 Elm St. in Buffalo that would include retail space and nine market-rate apartments to occupy 10,240-square-feet. The building has been vacant for 15 years and is among a row of rare 19^th century structures. National Grid’s $100,000 grant will offset a portion of multi-million-dollar remediation costs. 9187 Group is working with New York State Historic Preservation Office to restore the building’s exterior to resemble its original design and create a historic designation for the row of Elm Street buildings.

Grant Program: Funding for the project was provided through National Grid’s Main Street Revitalization program.

674 Main St. in Buffalo 

Revitalized 19^th century building to include retail space, apartments 
The Project: Known over the years by many names including Tent City and the Wurlitzer building, 674 Main St. in Buffalo dates to 1895, when A.E. Perron Co. manufactured a variety of products, including automobiles, sleighs and harnesses. Today, it’s part of the city’s Theater Historic Preservation District that 674 Main Street Opportunity Fund LLC will convert to first-floor commercial space and apartments on the second through fifth floors. A $100,000 economic development grant will be used toward revitalization costs. 

Grant Program: Funding for the project was provided through National Grid’s Main Street Revitalization program. 

Mono Systems is located at 180 Hopkins St. in Buffalo.

Mono Systems Inc. to reduce costs, add production lines at Buffalo facility 
The Project: Mono Systems Inc., which manufacturers products that electrical contractors and engineers use to safely manage cords, cables and wires, is expanding production capacity to include two PVC cable hider product lines. A National Grid economic development grant of $57,000 will offset costs related to an upgraded electricity infrastructure, which is needed to support the new production lines. 
Grant Program: National Grid’s Electric Capital Investment Incentive program.  

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards installs solar panels for winery production
The Project: Lockport-based Arrowhead Spring Vineyards plans to install solar panels on the rooftop of its winery production building. The project represents the final phase of a multi-year, $1 million capital investment, which is supported by a $25,000 National Grid grant.
Grant Program: Project funding was provided through National Grid’s Agribusiness Productivity program, which provides rebates to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy delivery and/or productivity improvements undertaken by agricultural facilities within National Grid’s New York service territory. 

National Grid’s Economic Development Programs
Since 2003, National Grid’s 18 economic development programs have provided more than $100 million in assistance, helping to create or retain more than 50,000 jobs and supporting almost $10 billion in private and public investment across upstate New York. More information about National Grid’s suite of programs is available at www.shovelready.com.  

Additionally, National Grid provides economic development support during the pandemic through its Manufacturing Productivity Program. The program fast tracks economic development requests to assist businesses that transitioned their facilities to produce critical medical equipment and supplies needed to fight COVID-19. The company also has committed resources and funding to assist families and customers who were impacted by the pandemic. 

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.