Farmers markets could grow through N.Y. bill

Farmers markets could get money for construction projects through a proposed state program.

The state Senate has passed a bill creating the Urban and Regional Farmers Markets Facilities Construction Program. An earlier version of the bill passed in the Assembly on Feb. 23, but that body needs to vote again after a minor amendment.

Once signed into law by Gov. David A. Paterson, the program would provide grants and revolving loans for planning and construction of facilities at farmers markets.

"One of our goals as a state must be to put quality New York produce from our farms on the plates of New York consumers," state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, said in a statement.

The grants and loans could be used by nonprofit groups, public benefit corporations and municipalities to buy land, design, construct, improve or renovate structures or purchase equipment.

The program will disburse loans and grants of up to $50,000 through the state's Urban Development Corp., a subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corp. The $50,000 could be 80 percent of a project's cost in a "highly distressed" area by Urban Development law, 70 percent of a project's cost in an "economically distressed" area and 60 percent of a project's cost in all other areas.

The program could be funded in the future, either through next year's budget process or a source such as the $40 million Upstate Agribusiness Fund.