New York state has awarded Allegany County $3 million to build a wastewater package plant on county Road 20 in the town of Friendship, setting the stage for additional development.
The infrastructure project is in support of a proposed 220-unit housing project at the “Gateway” development site, which will address Allegany County’s housing shortage.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the funding on Dec. 23. The money was awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council’s Pro-Housing Supply Fund.
“It’s challenging for rural areas to address their housing needs without support from state and federal partners,” Allegany County Board Chairman Brooke Harris said in statement that thanked Hochul and the WNY Regional Economic Development Council.
“This funding enables Allegany County to provide the infrastructure necessary to attract private developers and expand the tax base. Most importantly, it will serve to support high-quality housing that encourages retention of current residents and attracts relocation to our area.”
Project at county-owned S-Curves property will support housing development
The project will involve Allegany County constructing a wastewater package plant at the county-owned S-Curves property and installing a wastewater collection system. These improvements will enable a 220-unit housing development to be built on adjacent property.
The future housing development will feature one-to-three-bedroom units. These improvements will address the county’s housing shortage and also help attract trained professionals to the region, officials said.
“After decades of work towards developing the ‘Gateway’ site in Belvidere, we’re seeing meaningful progress,” Harris added.
According to officials, the funding application was developed through collaboration with the Allegany County Administrator’s Office, Office of Economic Development, the Planning Department, the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency and Delta Development Group, Inc.
The Pro-Housing Supply fund was established in 2025 to support critical infrastructure projects necessary for new housing development. The $100 million is in addition to $650 million in state discretionary funds allocated in 2024.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: How $3 million award will help Allegany County build 220 housing units
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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