​Key Real Estate & Infrastructure Wins

• Cuba Business Park: Completed the donation of the GLC facility and approved a PILOT, mortgage tax exemption, and sales tax exemption to catalyze development.
• Allegany Gateway Marketplace: Submitted a $2.7M ARC Power Grant for a new facility at Rte. 86 Exit 30 to house ACIDA offices and a marketplace for local farmers and artists.
• Wellsville Business Park: Approved financial assistance in April and hosted site visits for a potential large-scale employer.
• Sale of Property: Transfer of property with 2 buildings at 6087 Route 19N in Belmont and Belmont school parking lot to County.

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Support

• Micro-Enterprise Grants: Finalized previous grant administration of $300,000 in CDBG funds assisting 9 companies and secured a $300,000 extension to assist 11 more. Conducted in-depth review of all businesses funded with 100% of grantees still operating and 33 new jobs created since program inception in 2021.
• New Entities: Successfully established the Allegany County Local Development Corporation (ACLDC) and assisted with funding for the creation of the new Economic Development Organization (EDO).

Energy & Innovation

• Solar Impact: Approved PILOTs for Rushford (CSG2/3), Burns (Moraine Solar $229 million project ), and Alfred (Water Chestnut). Reported on Solar Project Success through 2025 with $137M in capital investment and 62.9 MW of capacity—enough to power up to 10,000 homes.
• Biofuel Readiness: Secured a $150,000 USDA grant to develop a Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) zone, signaling to investors that the region is "bio-manufacturing ready."
• Brownfield Redevelopment: Began conducting Phase I studies through the $500,000 EPA grant with four sites EPA approved for Phase 1 studies and two studies completed by 12/31.

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Started a news blog on the ACIDA website, launched a first-ever Facebook presence and generated positive local press, along with a May article in the Southern Tier Builders Exchange showcasing the county as a premier destination for investment.
• Developed and presented reports on solar project impact and microenterprise grants.
• Held first annual ACIDA celebration event to showcase the ACIDA and connect legislators, developers, local companies, and other stakeholders to discuss current and future investment in the county.
• START up Allegany group hosted the 5th annual business competition with the three colleges.

Cohosted the manufacturing luncheon to discuss issues in the county holding manufacturers back.

Allegany County Industrial Development Agency Launches New Local Development Corporation to Expand Financing for Local Projects
BELMONT, N.Y. (January 1, 2026) – The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) is proud to announce the official Allegany County formation of the Allegany County Local Development Corporation (ACLDC). Established to bolster the region's economic landscape, the ACLDC will offer low-interest loans to support expansion and retention of Allegany County local businesses.
The creation of the ACLDC is a complement to the hard work of Executive Director Craig Clark and the Board of Directors. Over the past eight years, their strategic management has ensured the ACIDA is profitable enough to have the ability to provide the administrative support and capital necessary to launch the LDC. This effort has put the LDC in a position to serve as a strategic financial partner, designed to provide a critical "piece of the puzzle" within a project’s total capital stack. Rather than serving as a primary lender, the LDC will focus on filling financing gaps to ensure viable county capital projects reach the finish line.
“The ability to support and work with the Allegany County formed ACLDC represents a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering a thriving business environment in Allegany County,” said Judith Hopkins, Board Chairman, on behalf of the ACIDA Board. “By offering flexible, low-interest financing, the ACLDC is providing the necessary tools for our local entrepreneurs and established businesses to grow, create jobs, and invest in our community’s future.”
Loan Program Highlights:

• Targeted Assistance: While maintaining flexibility, the ACLDC generally expects to provide loans between $30,000 and $100,000. The purpose of the loans is to assist Allegany County companies in funding capital investment for growth while retaining employees and expanding their workforce.
• Strategic Gap Financing: The ACLDC is positioned to work alongside traditional lenders, acting as a secondary source of capital rather than the prime lender.
• Low-Interest Rates: Funding is provided at competitive rates to lower the barrier for local expansion and development.
• Compliance & Oversight: The ACLDC operates in strict accordance with the New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and the Public Authorities Accountability Act (PAAA).

The ACLDC is headquartered at the Crossroads Commerce & Conference Center in Belmont. For more information about the Allegany County Local Development Corporation or to discuss potential project financing, please contact Melissa Pingitore at [email protected], call the ACIDA office at (585) 449-2047, or visit 6087 State Route 19 N – Suite 100, Belmont, New York 14813.
About the Allegany County Local Development Corporation (ACLDC)
The ACLDC is a non-profit corporation formed by Allegany County. Its mission is to support the economic welfare of Allegany County by facilitating projects that create or retain jobs and promote local commerce through innovative financing solutions.
About the ACIDA
The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) is a public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting sustainable economic development in Allegany County, New York, through public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, and financial incentives.