Lewis County, NY – Winter is quickly approaching in Northern New York and several Lewis County businesses are reliant on local, and tourist, patrons throughout the winter. Amid the pandemic, businesses are forced to think creatively and prepare for the upcoming winter season taking into consideration the safety of their staff and customers. Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC) has developed the Winter Design Challenge Grant Program to fund creative projects that assist tourism, entertainment, and hospitality businesses with solutions to stimulate and encourage safe outdoor experiences and unique service solutions.
The LCDC is excited to announce $9,570 of grant funds have been awarded from the first round of Winter Design Challenge applications to help the community to implement creative solutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Boondocks Restaurant & Bar – Creating a new socially distant restaurant space, buffet style, in the new 3 Willows event facility.
- Great Lot Sportsman's Club – Setting up warming stations at the 2-mile mark and 4-mile mark during guided snowshoeing trips set for 2021.
- Lewis County Amateur Hockey Association – Creating a kiosk for their front desk attendant for to ensure safety for staff and customers. Providing additional sanitation for surfaces and rental equipment.
- Osceola Ski & Sport Resort – Providing 3 firepits & 6 benches socially distanced for patrons to use as warming stations outdoors.
- Oswegatchie Educational Center – Planning to implement two unique family fun snowshoe events at Oswegatchie Educational Center.
- Snow Ridge Resort, LLC – Creating warming stations outside of the rental shop and ticket window and complete their new outdoor Tavern 230 Patio with a fireplace.
- Southern Tug Hill Sno-Riders Inc. - Constructing an outdoor destination for snowmobilers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers to enjoy during the winter months including a fire pit with benches in the middle of an abandoned tree farm.
- The Mystic River Café – Creating a winter friendly outdoor space on their recently built deck with outdoor heaters and a fireplace surrounded by Adirondack chairs.
- Tony Harper's State Street Lowville, Inc. – Creating an enclosed patio area with canvas curtains & outdoor heaters to allow for outdoor pick-up and dining on warmer days.
- Tug Hill Vineyards – Creating a “Winter Estate Trail” at the vineyard with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails, complete with woodburning firepits and additional outdoor seating options.
- Turin Ridge Riders Inc – Building an outdoor warming area complete with socially distant seating and an outdoor fireplace.
- World Famous Osceola Hotel – Revamping an existing pavilion and back porch area to accommodate additional seating and incorporate a firepit and outdoor heaters for guests with proper social distancing.
Additional Funding Available!
The LCDC is urging all businesses to think creatively and prepare for the safety of staff and visitors alike. The LCDC has opened a second round of funding and extended the application deadline to December 11, 2020.Successful proposals will be awarded grant funds covering 50% of project costs, up to $1,000, for creative dining or service solutions. Lewis County wants the business community to be successful this winter and is encouraging that businesses create a plan of action to ensure the health and safety of their customers and staff. The LCDC considers for-profit business applications as a priority; however, we do not discourage not-for-profits from applying.
What we're looking for
- The LCDC is seeking solutions to stimulate and encourage safe outdoor dining, for both customers and restaurant/bar staff, during the cold weather months in Lewis County
- Solutions must be centered around facilitating safe in-person outdoor dining experiences. Unique indoor solutions will be considered as long as it takes into consideration the health and safety of staff and customers.
- Solutions may relate to physical space as well as operations/service (i.e. creation of outdoor eating spaces with heaters, or creative service solutions)
The opportunity
- Businesses who are looking to create outdoor spaces, such as adding firepits, igloos, outdoor heaters and tents, constructing creative spaces, etc. and any other creative service or operational solutions, please submit the form below by December 11, 2020
- Businesses with creative proposals will receive a one-time grant, funding 50%, up to $1,000, of selected project costs
- Funding has been made available through the Pratt Northam Foundation COVID19 Community Impact Fund & Lewis County
Businesses are encouraged to submit applications online for the Winter Design Challenge at www.naturallylewis.com/business-support/winter-design-challenge by December 11, 2020. Applications should include a project plan, health and safety considerations, and a project budget. Need help generating ideas for your creative proposal? Contact Naturally Lewis to brainstorm ideas for your business!
Click to Submit Your Winter Design Challenge!
