Adds to $400K grant it received in May
Staff report
PITTSFORD —Pittsford Village Farm was awarded $335,834 from the Northern Border Regional Commission and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture rural development funding programs on Nov. 16. This is on top of a $400,000 award in congressional funding announced by Sen. Bernie Sanders in May.
But it’s still not enough to cover the project’s plans for an early childhood education center.
A rendering of the planned Pittsford Village Farm which will host an early child- hood education center, community center and apartments.
Lorrie Byrom, chairwoman of the Pittsford Village Farm Board of Trustees, has said that in the beginning $6,000-$7,000 grants covered initial permitting, but now the organization needs to secure these types of larger grants if the project is to become a reality.
The plans are for the farm to host a five-star early childhood education center, community center and residential apartments.
When the project was first conceptualized about two years ago, the work was estimated to be in the $1.2 million range, but inflation — particularly for cost of materials — has since pushed that estimate up toward $2.1 million, Byrom explained.
But the board of trustees feels the momentum from the recent large grants and has its architectural renderings completed.
“It’s safe to say we’re almost to the $1 million mark now and that is good news because we can make some headway and once you get some grants, other grantors will be more willing to take a look at the project,” she told the Rutland Herald earlier this month.
Once completed the childhood education center will serve 26 children ages 0-3 and add much needed housing to the region — both identified as the greatest needs for the area.
Thus far, the venue has hosted plays, artist workshops and galleries, a community garden and other small programs. A pavilion is currently underway.
