$3.3 million in funding will help rebuild water treatment facility that serves more than 700 residents
GOSHEN, N.Y. (Oct. 27 2017) – Focus Media, the Hudson Valley’s largest and award-winning, full-service public relations and marketing firm, designed and implemented a community and government support campaign that was an instrumental part of the Pawling Joint Sewer Commission’s proactive approach to securing $3.317 million in state grant money to help fund the rebuilding of its wastewater treatment plant.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced the awarding of the state grant money on Oct. 5.
The Pawling Joint Sewer Commission had been successful in laying the groundwork for the upgrade of its aging wastewater treatment plant. In June, it filed an application with the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) for additional funding. To support the Commission’s application, Focus Media managed a public relations campaign, which included outreach to key officials, endorsements of the plan by prominent leaders, placement of a guest opinion piece in a local newspaper and coordinated outreach to economic development agencies, chambers of commerce and many long-time Pawling residents.
“Focus Media’s activities that were performed on our behalf in securing this grant from the state cannot be overstated,” said Pawling Joint Sewer Commission Chairman Dan Peters. “The additional funding they helped us secure was the vital missing piece we needed to complete this project at a price that will keep our annual user costs at a reasonable level.”
“Pawling’s upcoming build is a clean, long-term solution that is not just about consumers saving money; it is about creating conditions in the town that will attract more jobs and grow their economy,” said Focus Media President and CEO Josh Sommers.
Prior to filing its grant application, the Commission had already secured zero percent interest financing through the Environmental Facilities Corporation, hired consultants who designed a facility that would comply with current purification mandates, passed two bonds and received all necessary permits.
The Pawling grant is part of $34 million in grants awarded to 24 essential drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the Mid-Hudson Valley. This is part of a larger statewide investment totaling $255 million, all funded through the state’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, as well as the new Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program.
About the Pawling Joint Sewer Commission
The Pawling Joint Sewer Commission is responsible for and supervises the construction, financial management, and operation and maintenance of a wastewater facility that serves a sewer district comprised of approximately 718 customers – 475 village residents and 243 town residents. Its six members include the Village of Pawling mayor, four members of the Village of Pawling Board of Trustees and one member from the Town of Pawling, appointed by the Town Supervisor. The Commission prepares an annual budget and bills its sewer customers quarterly. To learn more, visit www.villageofpawling.org
About Focus Media
Focus Media, Inc., celebrating its fifteenth year in operation in 2017, is an award-winning, full-service public relations and marketing firm specializing in market research, branding, design, collateral development, TV and radio production, media planning and placement. Since launching the company in 2002, President and CEO Josh Sommers has assembled a talented team of knowledgeable marketing experts, public relations strategists and acclaimed graphic designers that have made Focus Media a preeminent advertising agency known for its creativity, innovation and cutting edge marketing strategies. For more information, visit www.focusmediausa.com
