The Kashmir Museum in Niagara Falls. 

National Grid continues to advance Western New York’s revitalization by awarding economic development grants to five projects that are breathing new life into old buildings and reshaping commercial corridors and main streets across the company’s service territory.

Funding was provided through National Grid’s Main Street Revitalization program, which provides grants to eligible property owners, municipalities and non-profit development corporations that are transforming vacant structures into vibrant, state-of-the-art buildings that symbolize growth in Western New York’s central business districts.

“Many of our customers see potential in old, vacant buildings that can be converted into thriving commercial or industrial sites, retail stores, or new company headquarters,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa. “Our economic development programs serve as catalysts and are investments that can result in adding or preserving jobs and rejuvenating communities.” The five projects include:

Buffalo Urban Development Corporation receives two grants totaling $350,000 for 541 East Delevan Avenue, 612 Northland Avenue projects

Buffalo Urban Development Corp. received a $250,000 grant to support construction at 541 East Delevan Ave. in Buffalo. The 44,000-square-foot building will be used for commercial and light industrial tenants and is expected to employ around 90 people. In addition, a $100,000 National Grid grant will offset costs related to BUDC’s renovation of a 15,000-square-foot building at 612 Northland Ave. that will be repurposed for manufacturing and industrial use.

"I am extremely grateful for National Grid's continued partnership in the Northland Corridor,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, who is BUDC’s chairman of the board of directors. “The $350,000 will leverage the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Build Back Better Challenge grant for Phase 3, for which Buffalo competed at the federal level to secure. This partnership is a testament to the collective effort in Northland Corridor redevelopment, which will continue to bring jobs to East Buffalo.”

Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology to receive $100,000 to support move to new Sycamore Street site

Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology is moving its workforce development training center to a former vacant warehouse at 368 Sycamore St. in Buffalo. The move to the 21,000-square-foot building allows the nonprofit to expand adult workforce offerings and afterschool arts and technology programs that boasts more than 300 work-ready health and IT graduates annually. “National Grid’s commitment to investing in East Buffalo and to organizations focused on the city’s economic vitality is a testament to what can happen when we work together,” said Gina Burkhardt, president and CEO, Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology. “With their support, BCAT is building a new workforce development and afterschool arts hub. Their investment means access to cost-free education and career training where it's needed most. It’s a win for the whole community.”

Center for Kashmir receives $100,000 to revitalize Niagara Falls property

An abandoned church at 650 Park Place in Niagara Falls is to be repurposed by Center for Kashmir Inc. as the new Kashmir Museum, which anticipates hiring four full-time employees. It will include a robust library, plus artifacts and art from the early 1800s, including 600 original paintings. Renovations include a new roof, masonry repair, gutting the interior and adding new mechanical and electrical systems. "This grant helps revive an abandoned historic building in Niagara Falls, while promoting cultural heritage and economic development, aligning with our vision of a downtown arts and cultural corridor," said Dr. Khurshid Guru, Center for Kashmir board chair.

African Heritage Economic Initiative receives $100,000 grant for project at 238 Carlton St.

The African Heritage Economic Initiative is undertaking the rehabilitation and reuse of 238 Carlton St. in Buffalo's Fruit Belt neighborhood where African Heritage Food Co-op will house its operations. Renovations will result in a 3,500-square-foot grocery store, a dining area, community meeting space, offices, and the creation of 20 new jobs.

More About National Grid’s Economic Development Grant Program

NationalGrid was recently recognized by leading economic development industry publication Site Selection Magazine as a 2023 Top Utility in Economic Development, selected from a pool of approximately 3,300 electric utilities from across the country. Of the twenty companies named by Site Selection, National Grid is the only utility to make the list with operations in the Northeast. Since 2003, the company’s robust suite of 18 economic development grant programs has provided more than $154 million in assistance, helping to create or retain more than 67,000 jobs and supporting $11.7 billion in private and public investment across upstate New York. More information about National Grid’s suite of programs, including the program application, is available at www.shovelready.com.

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.