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Erie County Department of Environment and Planning

Erie County Department of Environment and Planning The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning provides direct services and staff assistance

Operating as usual

Now that your jack-o-lantern or fall decorations are starting to lose their luster, there are a few options for turning ...
11/04/2022

Now that your jack-o-lantern or fall decorations are starting to lose their luster, there are a few options for turning this material into an asset rather than to just throw away in your garbage!
Buffalo Pumpkin Drop-Off Event: https://www.buffalogardens.com/products/pumpkin-drop-off
Amherst Pumpkin Drop-Off Event: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=462786642560135&set=a.298026675702800

Another option is available at the Pelion Community Garden at City Honors School/Pelion Outdoor Classroom, 206 Best St, Buffalo NY just off 33/ near the Science Museum uses "organic décor" to feed their vermicompost and grow our veggies next year.
Three Sisters Potluck + Jack-o-Lantern Drop-off https://fb.me/e/26mNZ0Ud5
(today at 5-6:30pm)

Also they will accept natural fall decor items until November 30th: use the driveway and look for the signage to direct your drop properly.

The Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance reminds you NOT to rake your leaves into the street or stormwater ditch. The...
11/03/2022
LEWPA Yard Waste Management video with captions

The Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance reminds you NOT to rake your leaves into the street or stormwater ditch. These can clog storm drains and pipes and cause excess nutrients to enter our waterways and potentially cause algal blooms. Be a stormwater hero!

Learn more about how to properly manage your lawn and yard waste, especially in the autumn. Video created by Guillena Adolphe, intern for the Lake Erie Wate...

Just a friendly reminder about some of the goals and strategies that are up for public review! Go check them out and mak...
11/02/2022

Just a friendly reminder about some of the goals and strategies that are up for public review! Go check them out and make your voice heard at www.erie.gov/climateaction

Watch this space for upcoming pumpkin composting opportunities!
11/02/2022

Watch this space for upcoming pumpkin composting opportunities!

Congressman Higgins & County Executive Poloncarz Announce $1.3 Million in Federal Investments Made in Local Small Busine...
11/02/2022

Congressman Higgins & County Executive Poloncarz Announce $1.3 Million in Federal Investments Made in Local Small Businesses Through Erie County’s Micro Enterprises Loan/Grant Program

Funding Awarded through the CARES Act Was Provided to Businesses with Five Employees or Fewer; Stack Burger in Lackawanna was One of 65 Small Businesses to Receive Assistance; Limited Funding Still Available

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz visited Stack Burger in Lackawanna, New York to highlight efforts to boost small businesses in Erie County through the Microenterprise Loan/Grant Program. The initiative provides small businesses with five employees or fewer with loan/grant funding of up to $35,000 thanks to resources made available through the federal CARES Act.

“For the smallest of small businesses the grueling work of customer acquisition and day-to-day operations limits the time and resources available to make long-term investments that can help owner-operated businesses get ahead,” said Congressman Higgins. “Thanks to this federal investment and initiative led by Erie County, entrepreneurs have an extra boost to help increase inventory, purchase equipment, or improve technology.”

“The Microenterprise Loan/Grant program is another way that we are working to help small businesses in Erie County, giving them a small amount of Community Development Block Grant funding that can be used for anything the business needs, including working capital, start-up funds, or equipment. In this way small business start-ups can gain a foothold in the local market and start to grow,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Small businesses have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and Erie County, the ECIDA and the Business Task Force are teaming up to offer assistance where possible. We all succeed when small business succeeds, and this program is available to microenterprises seeking ways to grow in Erie County.”

The Erie County Community Development Consortium (“the Consortium”), received $4,326,655 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in 2020 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Consortium used the funding to assist neighborhood food pantries, invest in parks and playgrounds, make improvements to senior and community centers, and provide this relief to small businesses.

The Microenterprise Loan/Grant Program for small businesses, an effort led by the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (ECDEP) in conjunction with the Erie County Business Task Force, is a 50/50 loan/grant program that can be for as little as $5,000 or up to $35,000 with the loan administration portion handled by the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA). Recipients have a six-month grace period before beginning repayment. Since December of 2020, 65 small businesses have been assisted with micro-loans and grants for a total of $1,318,706.

There is still $450,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds available for this program. Businesses located within the Erie County CDBG Consortium, which includes the cities of Lackawanna and Tonawanda; the towns of Alden, Aurora, Boston, Brant, Clarence, Colden, Collins, Concord, Eden, Elma, Evans, Grand Island, Holland, Lancaster, Marilla, Newstead, North Collins, Orchard Park, Sardinia, Wales; and West Seneca, and the villages of Akron, Angola, Depew, East Aurora, Farnham, Gowanda, Lancaster, North Collins, Orchard Park, and Springville are eligible to apply.

The Erie County Community Development Consortium is comprised of 34 municipalities that receive formula-based federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Grant, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs to assist low-income residents. Municipalities within Erie County with a population over 50,000, including the Towns of Amherst, Tonawanda, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and the City of Buffalo, receive HUD funding directly.

For more information on the Erie County Microenterprise Loan/Grant Program,https://www3.erie.gov/economicdevelopment/sites/www3.erie.gov.economicdevelopment/files/2022-06/microenterprise_loan_flyer_6.15.2022.pdf

With the holiday season fast appropaching, learn ways to deal with staffing shortages in this article by Pursuit: Staffi...
11/02/2022
Staffing Your Business During a Labor Shortage | Pursuit

With the holiday season fast appropaching, learn ways to deal with staffing shortages in this article by Pursuit:

Staffing Your Business During a Labor Shortage | Pursuit (pursuitlending.com)
https://pursuitlending.com/resources/labor-shortage/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GoalGetter

How can you keep your business staffed during a labor shortage? Explore these tips and find actionable advice in this article.

The Erie County Arts & Cultural Advisory Board is looking for new members! Please see the full post on our page:
11/01/2022
Erie County Arts & Cultural Advisory Board (EACAB) seeks new members | Cultural

The Erie County Arts & Cultural Advisory Board is looking for new members!
Please see the full post on our page:

Thursday, December 1, 2022 - 12:00pm Erie County's award-winning Cultural Funding Program supports the nonprofit cultural sector. The Erie County Arts & Cultural Advisory Board (EACAB) actively recruits community-minded individuals to serve on the Board. The ideal applicant resides in Erie County, d...

10/31/2022
John Brent Garden Dedication

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is the non-profit organization keeping our historic Olmsted parks beautiful, and protecting them for us and future generations. An Erie County, NY grant of $35,000 in 2022 helps to cover some operational expenses so they can continue providing their great services!
Check out the video below regarding the dedication of the new John E. Brent Garden in MLK Jr. Park

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS· A public hearing will be held November 3 at 2:15 pm to consider proposed modifications to agr...
10/31/2022

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

· A public hearing will be held November 3 at 2:15 pm to consider proposed modifications to agricultural districts, in accordance with section 303-b of NYS Agriculture and Markets Law.

· A public hearing will be held November 3 at 2:30 pm to consider proposed consolidation and modification to agricultural districts, in accordance with section 303-a of NYS Agriculture and Markets Law.

Both public hearings will be held at the Chambers of the Erie County Legislature, 4th Floor, Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.

To view the 303-a and 303-b report, visit erie.gov/agriculture.

10/31/2022
 at erie.gov/eriegrown to find a farmer near you with local, in-season Brussels sprouts and so much more!When you visit,...
10/28/2022

at erie.gov/eriegrown to find a farmer near you with local, in-season Brussels sprouts and so much more!

When you visit, make sure to note the date and take a picture for your Erie Grown Passport. If you haven't enrolled yet, now is the time to get started! Sign up at erie.gov/eriegrownpassport.

10/28/2022
There is a new Commercial Energy strategy up for public review! Our Energy Storage and Demand strategy will be open for ...
10/27/2022

There is a new Commercial Energy strategy up for public review! Our Energy Storage and Demand strategy will be open for public comment until November 20th. Head to our website at www.erie.gov/climateaction/commercial-energy for more information!

Photos from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's post
10/27/2022

Photos from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's post

Mark your calendars! Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. ET is a one-hour public webinar about habitat and species prot...
10/26/2022

Mark your calendars! Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. ET is a one-hour public webinar about habitat and species protection in Lake Erie from Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Learn about what steps are being taken to protect coastal habitat in the Lake Erie basin. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions to experts.
This is a virtual webinar hosted on Zoom and part of the webinar series, Let’s Talk Lake Erie!
REGISTER: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrfu6urDMoE9zYATbPqj0YEiefH_eQkb8S

10/26/2022

As Halloween approaches, here are some ideas for getting creative with your decorations and costume. 👻

🍂 Use fallen leaves in craft projects or repurpose items from around the house or outside into new decorations.
👗 Reuse clothing or give a past costume a new twist.
🎃 When carving jack-o’-lanterns, roast those tasty seeds and compost pumpkins after the celebration concludes!

It’s happening! A public meeting all about Erie County’s Community Climate Plan and the process to engage our citizens. ...
10/22/2022

It’s happening! A public meeting all about Erie County’s Community Climate Plan and the process to engage our citizens. We are at the Buffalo and Erie Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Centraluntil Noon. Or find out more at https://www3.erie.gov/climateaction/

Tomorrow!!
10/21/2022

Tomorrow!!

You won't want to miss the chance to find out about the efforts that so many have been putting into creating this plan. Join us Saturday!

The DEP Office of GIS, in keeping with the upcoming Halloween holiday, would like to share some Halloween-themed maps.  ...
10/21/2022

The DEP Office of GIS, in keeping with the upcoming Halloween holiday, would like to share some Halloween-themed maps.

The Spooky Places map shows Haunted locations and spooky-named features throughout the Erie County area as well as the Best-Decorated Houses as determined by Step-Out Buffalo.

The Halloween Attractions map identifies pumpkin patches & corn mazes throughout the County as well as Haunted Houses for the family to enjoy.

https://www3.erie.gov/eriegrown/
https://stepoutbuffalo.com/
www.erie.gov/halloween
www.erie.gov/spooky

Happy Halloween!!!

10/20/2022

Register before October 28th for the new local government training below. The WNY Healthy Watershed and Resilient Community training takes place in Dunkirk on November 2, 2022. Learn about tools and resources for your community.

Visit Erie Grown at erie.gov/eriegrown to find a farmer near you with pumpkins and so much more!When you visit, make sur...
10/20/2022

Visit Erie Grown at erie.gov/eriegrown to find a farmer near you with pumpkins and so much more!

When you visit, make sure to note the date and take a picture for your Erie Grown Passport. If you haven't enrolled yet, now is the time to get started! Sign up at erie.gov/eriegrownpassport.

You won't want to miss the chance to find out about the efforts that so many have been putting into creating this plan. ...
10/19/2022

You won't want to miss the chance to find out about the efforts that so many have been putting into creating this plan. Join us Saturday!

Our Climate Action Planning Process has some new items up for public review! Two new Housing & Neighborhood Resilience S...
10/19/2022

Our Climate Action Planning Process has some new items up for public review! Two new Housing & Neighborhood Resilience Strategies along with the goal for our Economic & Workforce Development chapter are all open for public feedback until November 17th. Check out our website at www.erie.gov/climateaction for more information!

10/19/2022

Leaders Announce Completion of Improvements at Eastern Park in the City of Tonawanda

Project is One of Eight Parks and Playgrounds in Erie County Receiving a Combined $1.1M Investment through the CARES Act

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz were joined by Senator Sean Ryan, Assemblyman Bill Conrad, Legislator John Bargnesi and City of Tonawanda Mayor John White to mark completion of a $200,000 park and playground improvement project in the City of Tonawanda. The project at Eastern Park is one of eight parks and playgrounds benefiting from federal funding made available through the CARES Act.
“There is a healing power to parks, one that builds community, supports physical wellbeing, and helps rejuvenate the mind and spirit,” said Congressman Higgins. “This federal investment by the Erie County Community Development Consortium delivers lasting improvements to neighborhoods across the region.”
The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (“ECDEP”), through the Erie County Community Development Consortium (“the Consortium”), received $4,326,655 in Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds in 2020 from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. More than $1.1 million in federal CDBG CARES Act funding was used to assist municipalities with improvements to outdoor recreational/park facilities.

Improvements at Eastern Park on Fillmore Avenue in the City of Tonawanda included construction of a new picnic shelter with concrete pad, installation of new basketball court and co****le area, repair of kayak launch and replacement of an existing deteriorated playground equipment with new inclusive structures. Features of the new playground include:
• A fully wheelchair accessible “We-Go Round” which allows children of all abilities to interact in a themed environment.
• A “Rain Sound Wheel Panel” which supports dexterity as well as auditory and visual processing.
• A “Rhapsody Kundu Drum” and “Cascata Bells” supporting rhythm creativity and unique sound stimulation.
• A “ZipKrooz” molded bucket seat with harness to provide children access to a fun and stable swing.

A full list of park and playground improvement projects in the Erie County Community Development Consortium is below:
Location Project Funding
T. Clarence - Wehrle Drive Pedestrian Access Project $200,000.00
V. Farnham - Village of Farnham Park Improvements $106,683.00
V. Lancaster - West Drullard Outdoor Adult Fitness Center $94,929.05
T. West Seneca - Recreation Enhancements to Harlem Road and Dirkson Parks $200,000.00
T. Collins - Collins Park Improvements $160,000.00
T. Evans - Lake Erie Bach Multi-Use Trail Phase I - AJ Schmidt Elementary School to Lake Erie Beach Park $200,000.00
V. Depew - West Dawson Park Playground Improvements $164,980.00
TOTAL $1,126,592.05

The CARES Act, supported by Congressman Higgins, was approved by the House of Representatives in March of 2020 and signed into law. It provided direct relief to help communities, businesses, and Americans recover from the pandemic. The law included $5 billion in formula driven funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

The Erie County Community Development Consortium is comprised of 34 municipalities which receive federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through CDBG, HOME and ESG grants to assist low-income residents. Municipalities within Erie County with a population over 50,000, including the Towns of Amherst, Tonawanda, Cheektowaga, Hamburg and the City of Buffalo, receive HUD funding directly.

We weren’t able to stay at the Erie County Fallfest due to inclement weather on Saturday, but you can  still hear our me...
10/18/2022

We weren’t able to stay at the Erie County Fallfest due to inclement weather on Saturday, but you can still hear our message! Join us downtown on Saturday to the Main library and hear about how you can get involved in our Climate Action Plan. We’ll be there from 10:30 to noon at the Ring of Knowledge. Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Library

We are looking for you and your input!! Come to the Buffalo Library next week (Saturday) and learn about the County's Cl...
10/14/2022

We are looking for you and your input!! Come to the Buffalo Library next week (Saturday) and learn about the County's Climate Action Plan and how you can get involved.

The Erie County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) is an advisory board to the Legislature and County Exec...
10/11/2022

The Erie County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) is an advisory board to the Legislature and County Executive on agricultural matters.

The AFPB will meet on October 18, 2022 at 39 S. Grove Street in East Aurora at 6PM.
For more information about the AFPB, email [email protected].

At Saturday’s (10/8) Household Hazardous Waste collection, we also accepted alkaline batteries thanks to the Coalition f...
10/10/2022

At Saturday’s (10/8) Household Hazardous Waste collection, we also accepted alkaline batteries thanks to the Coalition for Positively Charged People. This group of volunteers sorted out the rechargeable from the alkaline so all could be recycled properly. Close to 400 lbs. of batteries were kept out of the landfill! Thanks so much to the volunteers!

 at erie.gov/eriegrown to find a farmer near you with local, in-season squash and so much more!When you visit, make sure...
10/07/2022

at erie.gov/eriegrown to find a farmer near you with local, in-season squash and so much more!

When you visit, make sure to note the date and take a picture for your Erie Grown Passport. If you haven't enrolled yet, now is the time to get started! Sign up at erie.gov/eriegrownpassport.

10/06/2022

Erie County Funds to Feedmore of WNY -CDBG Cares Act Funds Fully Expended

• On October 5, Feedmore of WNY invoiced Erie County for final payment of a $540,000 grant from Erie County’s CDBG Cares Act allocation.
• This funding was designed to assist low income families during the pandemic.
• We were able to fund 21 food pantry’s across the Erie County Community Development Consortium area from September 2020 through September 2022. A total of 4,130 low income people were assisted with this funding.

Thanks to our Friends at Buffalo Recycles for sharing these tips.
10/03/2022

Thanks to our Friends at Buffalo Recycles for sharing these tips.

A new Transportation strategy is up for review until October 26th! Head on over to our website at www.erie.gov/climateac...
09/29/2022

A new Transportation strategy is up for review until October 26th! Head on over to our website at www.erie.gov/climateaction/transportation and look for the Transit & Land Use Strategy to check it out and leave your feedback!

09/28/2022
Learn about community initiatives and resources for entrepreneurs tomorrow 9/28 @ 2PM.  Register here: https://publicpri...
09/27/2022
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Building a Better America: A Small Business Resource Community. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Learn about community initiatives and resources for entrepreneurs tomorrow 9/28 @ 2PM. Register here:
https://publicprivatestrategies.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Se5-oG7_S5-0MvRg1-yTDg?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Join SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute for a webinar on Wednesday, September 28 at 2:00pm ET to learn about community initiatives and resources for entrepreneurs. Speakers include:

• Victor Parker, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Field Operations, US Small Business Administration
• Nicola Corzine, Founding Executive Director, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
• Jeff Stout, Deputy Chief Program Office for Business and Industry, Office of Recovery Programs, US Department of the Treasury
• Lisa Coppola, Board of Directors Chair Elect, National Association of Women Business Owners

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) will host a webinar as part of their Building a Better America: A Small Business Resource Community (BBA Resource Community) series. The goal of this webinar will be to connect small businesses with critical....

Address

95 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY
14202

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17168588390

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University Express Erie County Commission on the Status of Women Freddie the Gnome Edward A. Rath County Office Building Erie County Personnel Erie County Office of Consumer Protection Erie County Parks, Recreation & Forestry Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) Erie County Veterans Service Agency Erie County, NY Erie County Senior Services Erie County Clerk's Salutes & Thank A Vet Discount Program. Erie County Probation City of Buffalo, Division of Citizens Services Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council