Community Development

Jerome J. Gabryszak
Director of Community Development

Phone: (716) 897-7200
Fax: (716) 897-7204

The Office of Economic and Community Development is responsible for administering and implementing the Town's federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program. The primary goal of the Program is to develop and maintain viable communities with respect to housing, neighborhoods and economic opportunities.

Housing rehabilitation and economic development are the two primary activities carried out by the Community Development Office. The revolving Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program provides low-cost assistance to low-to-moderate income homeowners to make needed repairs to their property. The program helps preserve property values and assures a safe, decent and sanitary living environment for many families and elderly persons. Applicants must be owner-occupants, current with property taxes and income-eligible.

The Business Loan Program primarily provides assistance to companies involved in manufacturing and wholesale distribution which are relocating to or expanding current operations within the Town. The program has, as its primary goal, the retention of existing jobs and the creation of new job opportunities, particulary for low-to-moderate income persons.

The Community Development Office may also provide funding for a variety of projects which vary from year to year, including neighborhood improvements such as sidewalk replacement and drainage improvements, public services such as neighborhood police foot-patrols, or planning activities. The Community Development program also provides support for home weatherization and insulation services carried out by the Supportive Services Corporation of Western New York and housing counseling services, such as mortgage default and pre-purchase counseling, carried out by the Housing Assistance Center.