As we mentioned in March's newsletter, last November the PCD embarked on a two year recreation initiative with three goals in mind:
Create an attractive, consistent signage system for all recreational activities in the area.
Develop a comprehensive recreation website.
Improve the physical conditions of the Chenango Canal Towpath.
PCD has been collaborating with many organizations to promote outdoor recreation in our area. The Town of Hamilton, Village of Hamilton, Town of Madison, the Chenango Canal Association, the Southern Madison Heritage Trust, and the Friends of Roger's have come together with the goal of making getting outside an easier, more enjoyable experience. A group of Cornell University students have been helping us to explore the potential of the Chenango Canal Towpath, while we also work to understand how we can enhance all of our recreational amenities based on public opinion.
On Saturday, April 9th we held our first public meeting
to share the Cornell University team's progress to-date and to hear your general ideas about recreation in our area. As you will see from the images below, "we had a room filled with enthusiastic people ready to share their experiences, vision, and hopes for recreation in our area. The event resulted in an interactive, creative and productive discussion. We will pull together the findings from the meeting and look forward to sharing them and receiving more feedback as the plan progresses. Our second public meeting will be held next month- stay tuned for dates and details.
Jennifer Marotto Lutter
Executive Director, PCD
All Images by Jim Leach
Scenes from the Public Meeting discussion of the Hamilton Community Recreation Initiative on Saturday, April 9th .
PCD forges a partnership with the Utica Home Ownership Center and offers :
First time Homebuyer Education Course on April 20th and 21st
The Partnership for Community Development is committed to providing Hamilton area residents with the resources necessary to meet their homeownership needs. That's why we've teamed up with the Utica Homeownership Center to offer a set of services dedicated to helping community members buy and repair homes, and seek help when their home becomes unaffordable.
The first event of our collaboration is a
FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASSÂ held at the Hamilton library on April 20th and 21st from 5:30-8:30pm. This course is for those interested in buying
a home, but aren't sure how much they can afford or what steps are required to begin the process. Completing the course will assist those to qualify for more competitive mortgage loans and grant programs. The cost is $75 per household or pair (do not have to live together to split cost). You can register online for the upcoming course at https://unhs.neighborworkscompass.org/ or call or email the PCD at 315-825-3537or [email protected] with questions.
PCD and the Homeownership Center want to make buying, owning, and maintaining a home a more achievable goal for everyone through education, one-on-one coaching, and financial resources.
REMINDER: Madison County Speed Dating
Kallet Center, Oneida, NY
A networking event for Madison County businesses with a focus on creating new business connections to match local producers, farmers, and artisans to local restaurants, retailers, B&Bs, and more! The event includes a round of "speed dating" between businesses. Find your business match!
Free to all Madison County businesses. Cash bar and hors d'oeuvres
To register call (315) 366-2377 or register online at this link:
www.BusinessSpeedDating.eventbrite.com
Grant Funding Assistance and Alerts
As you know, the Partnership for Community Development is here to help those who are thinking about starting, expanding or growing a business. We are aware of grants funding and other resources that might be available and are always here to help.
In reviewing historical PCD newsletters, we stumbled upon a terrific program from 2012 called 'PCD GRANT ALERTS' and we are bringing it back! The premise of this alert system is sharing grant opportunities that come across our desks that we want to pass along to interested readers. We are here to help with grant applications, if you find yourself curious to learn more about these opportunities, email us at [email protected].
As we mentioned in March's newsletter, l
As you know, the Partnership for Community Development is here to help those who are thinking about starting, expanding or growing a business. We are aware of grants funding and other resources that might be available and are always here to help. 
Remember to keep up with
