Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup that three shovel-ready projects in Greene County have been awarded more than $1.8 million by New York state through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Announced this week by Governor Kathy Hochul, a total of $81 million will go to support 97 projects statewide. Local awards include $750,000 for Lokal Astoria, $360,000 for the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, and $750,000 for Wylder Windham. "The pandemic toll touched every corner of the state and every sector of New York's economy, and as a result, we must ensure that our recovery does the same," Hochul said. The Lokal Astoria project will transform the vacant motor lodge on Route 23B in Catskill into a four-season tourist destination. Plans feature 25-30 newly renovated or constructed cabins, a restaurant, a pool and bar, spa cabins, hot tubs, a cold plunge tank, saunas, and a yoga platform. The funding awarded to Thomas Cole National Historic Site will be used for a new 1,800 square-foot visitors center with exhibit space and outdoor terrace, as well as facility upgrades to buildings at the Spring Street, Catskill site that will increase energy efficiency and improve climate conditions for historic preservation. Infrastructure upgrades will improve visitor safety and site accessibility. Wylder Windham will use its award to renovate the historic Thompson House on Route 296 into a tourist attraction that will create jobs on the mountain top. The Thompson House is a 110-room full-service resort on 20 acres that was owned by the same family for 140 years. Wylder Hotels of Los Angeles purchased the property in early 2021. This year, $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development were made available. Additionally, projects within each region are eligible for a share of $75 million in Excelsior Jobs Program Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in their region. Read more at porcupinesoup [dot] com.