So far we've given more than 500,000
to WNY businesses

Is 2007 your year to expand?

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, the Utility segment of National Fuel Gas Company, announces the award of some recent grants from its Area Development Program. The Area Development Program was created in June 2006 to fund natural gas-related projects in western New York that meet certain criteria. Since its inception, National Fuel's Area Development Program has awarded 13 grants, amounting to more than $500,000, to area companies.

National Fuel's Area Development Program makes available up to $750,000 a year for natural gas-related projects that meet at least one of the following criteria:

1.) Stimulate investment in infrastructure for the development of under-utilized industrial or commercial property, including, but not limited to, brownfield sites or brownfield opportunity areas.
2.) Create new or higher-value employment opportunities.
3.) Provide workforce training (or retraining) to assure that higher-value skills are available to the workforce when needed.
4.) Stimulate the expenditure of private investment in direct capital expenditures needed to expand employment opportunities.

Included among the companies receiving awards from the Area Development Program are the Special Metals Corporation and Washington Mills. The Special Metals Corporation received a $108,000 grant that was used to help fund the installation of new natural gas pipelines as part of the expansion of its industrial plant. The project included the growth of Special Metals' current building structure by 8,500 square feet, the purchase of new machinery and equipment, as well as the creation of up to 45 high-skilled employment opportunities that will include work-force training. Special Metals is an industrial manufacturer, located in Dunkirk, N.Y.

Washington Mills received a $32,000 grant to help fund the expansion of its operations at its Tonawanda, N.Y., facility. The grant was used to help finance the installation of a natural gas-fired air compressor with waste heat recovery. This equipment is part of the company's growth plan and will require additions to its workforce at the facility. Washington Mills is one of the world's largest producers of abrasives and fused mineral products.

The application period for the 2007 program year is now open and businesses in western New York are encouraged to apply if a project meeting one or more of the criteria outlined is being developed.

For more information on the Area Development Program, or to request an application for a grant, call the Energy Services department at (716) 857-7776 or visit www.nationalfuelgas.com and look for 'Economic Development Programs' under the 'For Business' section.