The Rebirth of Fulton

At a recent potluck dinner, Fulton Block Builders gathered together to share updates and talk about what’s been going on at committee meetings over the past few weeks.

It was very exciting to hear all the discussions taking place and feel the sense of togetherness, commitment, dedication, and determination to bring people together again, regain our sense of pride, and revitalize neighborhoods in the City of Fulton.

We have gained momentum and the community support behind Fulton Block Builders is growing very quickly. We love to hear that others feel the same way about our little city as we do.

This year, homeowners all across the city of Fulton will be working together to restore pride in their neighborhoods, reshaping Fulton one block at a time. Join us - you can be the difference in your neighborhood!

Fulton Block Builders Featured on Your Town

Fulton Block Builders, along with the Oswego Renaissance Association, were featured in WSTM's Your Town last week. 

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Fulton Block Builders – Reminds Residents to Complete Pre- Applications for the 2017 Block Challenge by April 1st.

March is already half over and the Fulton Block Builders (FBB) are encouraging neighbors to get-together and complete the pre-application for the 2017 Block Challenge, a program that offers matching funds to each participating home owner up to $1,000 (dollar-for-dollar match) to put towards exterior home improvements. The program encourages and rewards neighborhood groups to work together to reinvest in their own communities. Pre-Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2017.

City residents who would like to participate in the program need to form a neighborhood group with 50% of the property owners on their block. The group can include homeowners or landlords. Once a cluster has formed, the pre-application process begins. The matching grant funding will cover expenses are for exterior property improvements to groups of homeowners on a single block - in targeted neighborhoods - throughout the city of Fulton. Aside from matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers. There are also additional bonuses for corner properties and using the Historical Colors found on the Paint Fulton tab of the Website.

Applicants must enlist their neighbors on the same street/block to participate and fill out a simple Pre-Application Form. Blocks can be made up of both sides of one street or of the homes within 4 streets. FBB Representatives are available to help applicants through the process. Pre-applications are available on the FBB website: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/ or call Linda Eagan at 315-529-9181.

Fundraising for the 2017 Grant Applications has been quite successful so we encourage any neighborhood in the city to organize and submit the pre-application by April 1st. Grants are available to owner occupied homes as well as rentals.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2017 Fulton Block Builders:

• Wednesday, March 1 – Pre-application will be available

• Wednesday, March 1 – Target Areas are announced

• Saturday April 1 – Pre-applications are due

• Monday May 1 – Final applications are due

• By Monday May 15th – FBB grant awardees announced 

Pre-applications for the 2017 program can be found here: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/

Community Bank N.A Brings Fulton Block Builders to 92% of the Matching Goal Needed to Realize the Full $100,000.00 Grant from the Shineman Foundation

Community Bank N.A recently donated $5,000.00 to the Fulton Block Builders (FBB). Branch Manager, Tina Stephens is seen here with Linda Eagan, FBB administrative Director. “The Fulton Block Builders have announced Target Areas and are accepting Pre-Applications for the 2017 Block Challenge matching grant program. Homeowners are encouraged to go to fultonblockbuilders.com to download the pre-application form and sample letter to organize your neighbors. It is a very simple process and any block in the city can apply, however preference will be given to blocks in the Target Areas. FBB is thrilled to have the support of Community Bank N.A. With this 5K check, FBB has now raised 92% of the match needed to realize the full $100,000.00 matching grant from the Shineman Foundation.” Eagan said

Branch Manager, Tina Stephens (left) with Linda Eagan, FBB administrative Director

Each participating property owner in a Challenge Block is eligible to receive a dollar-for-dollar match on exterior improvements (visible from the street), up to $1,000. If $500 is spent, a $250 match will be made. If $2,000 or more is spent the match will be $1,000. (minus taxes). Funding is competitive please see Tips for a Competitive Application.

To receive the matching funds, participants must submit all receipts and invoices at the conclusion of their project. Fulton Block Builders will review the materials, take a picture of the completed work, and send a reimbursement check to the participant. (Note sales tax on purchases cannot be matched only the before tax purchase price.)

In addition to matching funds, participants will be eligible to receive special discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers. (A list of sponsors and the applicable discounts will be available when the Challenge Blocks are designated).

What improvements are eligible?

• Painting                                  
• Mailboxes                                          
• Porch repair                          
• Exterior lights
• Soffit repair                            
• Front yard landscaping       
• Sidewalk repair                    
• Front doors/screen doors
• Flower boxes                         
• Shutters
• And more...

“Community Bank N.A. slogan is Bank Happy which is more than just advertising it is the core principle by which we operate” said Stephens. We are a full service financial institution, offering all the things much bigger banks offer. But we also have one thing they don’t -a passion for providing the highest level of customer service in whatever we do. “The support for the FBB is clear demonstration of this passion” Stephens said.

Fulton Block Builders – Is Now Accepting Applications for the 2017 Block Challenge

The Fulton Block Builders (FBB) has announced details for the 2017 Block Challenge, a program that offers matching funds to each participating home owner up to $1,000 (dollar-for-dollar match) to put towards exterior home improvements. The program encourages and rewards neighborhood groups to work together in an effort to reinvest in their own communities.  Block Challenge Grant, Pre-Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2017.

Look to see if your neighborhood is in one of the Target Areas. Streets in target areas are especially encouraged to apply. https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/info/

Fulton City residents who would like to participate in the program need to form a neighborhood cluster with a minimum of 50% of the property owners in their vicinity. The group can include homeowners or landlords. Once a cluster has formed, the pre-application process begins. The matching grant funding will cover expenses for exterior property improvements to groups of homeowners on a single block - in targeted neighborhoods - throughout the city of Fulton. Aside from matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers.

Visit the FBB webpage https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/ and look at the map of the targeted neighborhoods. While all applications are considered, neighborhoods that fall inside Target Areas are given special consideration. Applicants must enlist a minimum of 50% of the neighbors on the same street/block to participate and fill out a simple Pre-Application Form. FBB Representatives are available to help applicants through the process. Pre-applications for neighborhoods interested in participating in the 2017 program are available on the FBB website beginning March 1, 2017 here: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/.

Once submitted, the pre-application is reviewed and applicants will receive a Final Application. This Final Application will require detailed plans and a joint meeting with the neighbors and an FBB representative. Final Applications are review by an independent review panel, and awarded blocks are announced by May 15th of 2017.

A minimum of 50% of homes must be on one application. Applications along with instructions can be downloaded from the FBB website; https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/.

Grant Applications are competitive. Not all applications can be funded, and the number of awards made is dependent upon funding levels and the number and quality of applications. Grants are available to owner occupied homes as well as rentals.

The closer the clusters are grouped and the larger the number of participants the more competitive the application becomes. Clusters that can be geographically "linked" with other participating clusters in your area, become even more competitive. And clusters that develop a strategic plan for their neighborhood's continued revitalization in the future will be the most competitive

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2017 Fulton Block Builders:

• Wednesday, March 1 – Pre-application will be available

• Wednesday, March 1 – Target Areas are announced

• Saturday April 1 – Pre-applications are due

• Monday May 1 – Final applications are due

• By Monday May 15th – FBB grant awardees announced

Pre-applications for the 2017 program can be found here: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/

Support continues to grow for the Fulton Block Builders

Nancy Kush Ellis, Vice President of Fulton Savings Bank is shown here after presenting Linda Eagan with a check for $10,000.00 for the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) project. “Fulton Savings Bank is proud to be a Corporate Sponsor of this new initiative and thanks all those involved for their continued enthusiasm and hard work.!” Ellis said.

Bringing homeowners together in one block builds community and generates confidence. “Residents of the city are encouraged to start organizing their blocks as pre applications will be accepted from March 1st through April 1st. Home owners are asked to go the FBB website for help with this organization. On the website residents will find: sample letters, tips, frequently asked questions and application forms.” Eagan said.

Fulton Block Builders is a program that generates neighborhood pride and helps homeowners and property owners recover part of the cost of their exterior property investment. The core feature of this approach is to build on strengths rather than just fix weaknesses.

In 1871, a group of civic leaders organized Fulton Savings Bank “to receive deposits from tradesmen, clerks, mechanics, laborers, minors, servants and others.”  The first Bank location was in a rented room at the northeast corner of Second and Oneida Streets.  The Bank has been serving the greater Fulton community ever since and continues to Build Trust for Generations. This donation to FBB is another commitment to that philosophy.
 

Fulton Block Builders Has Been Receiving Strong Support From Within The Fulton City Limits

Fulton Block Builders has been receiving strong support from within the Fulton city limits. But for the first time, business support has come from outside of the city with a donation from Sweet-Woods Memorial Co. in Phoenix.

“Dennis Goss, owner/operator of Sweet-Woods Memorial Co. in Phoenix is shown here presenting Linda Eagan with a check for the Fulton Block Builder project. “I’ve been watching Linda build momentum for this grass roots revitalization project for the past year and believe strongly in the benefits this can bring to the Fulton community. I just felt like I had to get involved!” Goss said.

“March 1st the eligible blocks for the Block Challenge grant program will be announced” Eagan said. “Fulton Block Builders has received a matching $100,000.00 grant, for 2017, from the Shineman Foundation. The match is nearly 2/3rds complete thanks to individuals and companies from now…both inside and outside the Fulton city limits. Support has been fantastic; please check out the website to learn more about this great project and how to lend your support.”

Since 1932, Sweet-Woods Memorial Co. has provided thousands of families all over Central New York with premium quality memorials, bronze plaques, and mausoleums.  With locations in Phoenix, Brewerton and Camillus, the business was founded with one philosophy in mind: to provide the best quality material and craftsmanship available, at a reasonable price.
 

We Need You!

Spring is fast approaching and I can’t wait for winter to be over! Why, you ask? So many exciting things are going to happen in Fulton this year!

We’ve all been waiting for a glimpse of hope, something that will help our neighborhoods feel like a real community…neighbors helping neighbors, neighborhoods getting together for a cookout, kids playing hide-n-seek or tag. I’m ready to take on the challenge of making our city a place we can be proud of again…are you?

People are talking and the good news is spreading. Support is steadily growing among the local business community.

We are extremely grateful for the $25,000 donation from Pathfinder Bank. 

We are also very grateful for the $1,500 donation from John and Barb Sharkey from Universal Properties and Universal Metal Works, over $1,000 from the Fulton Sunrise Rotary, and another donation of $1,000 from the Fulton Lions Club!

Now we need your support! You can help make a difference with a donation of any amount... every donation received will get us much closer to the match needed for the Shineman Foundation grant.