"Swatting for Silver"

As in other counties around New York State, officials in Onondaga County are eager to receive as much federal stimulus money as possible.

Seven County management and budget members make up what County Executive Joanne Mahoney has dubbed the “Stimulus Swat Team.”

The team’s purpose is to find available stimulus money and make sure Onondaga County is in line for it.

Within the team, members work within individual committees including energy and water, public safety and economic development.

Included in this team are Patrice Gile, Michelle Mignano, and Stephanie Hutchinson, who claim the team is a lot more reading about potential grants, and a lot more work for them, but not without rewards.

The three say the team has already been promised $1.55 million for the “Civic Strip.” The Strip is a portion of downtown Syracuse from the Everson Art Museum to the Erie Canal Museum. The money will be used to make the area more attractive by adding street lights and planting trees.

In addition, Onondaga Lake clean-up projects will receive a grant of $20 million. The money will help fund the improvement of the County sewer system. 

The three members of the "Swat Team" reminded that some of this money is only being given as loan forgiveness and not direct cash.

“Some of the grants are competitive and some are guaranteed,” Gile explained.

Onondaga County has a 27-month period to win as much money as possible.  Mahoney has made it a top priority.