Monroe County Awards Community Climate Action Fund Grants: Hilton, Chili, Gates, and Greece Among Recipients
Nine municipalities – including four westside communities – have been awarded matching grant funding through Monroe County’s first-ever Community Climate Action Fund. By putting resources directly into area communities, the County is bringing local projects to life that preserve natural resources, protect the environment, and help secure our area’s future livability. County Executive Adam Bello announced the awards on September 22.
Recipients will receive matching funds for new or expanded initiatives included in the County’s Climate Action Plan Phase II, which seeks to address greenhouse gas emissions from Monroe County residents, businesses, and organizations. Awardees are the towns of Brighton, Chili, Gates, Greece (in partnership with the City of Rochester), Irondequoit, Penfield, Perinton, Pittsford, and the Village of Hilton.
Announcing the awards, Bello emphasized the importance of local action in addressing environmental challenges. “Climate action is most effective when it starts in local neighborhoods and communities,” he said. “These grants will help our towns, villages and the City of Rochester turn good ideas into real projects that make our communities healthier, more sustainable and more affordable.”
The new program provides funding for local initiatives that reduce emissions, improve environmental sustainability and strengthen community resilience. According to the county, the grants support projects involving energy-efficient upgrades, electric vehicle technology and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Hilton to Replace Community Center Windows
The Village of Hilton received a $10,000 grant for the Hilton Community Center Energy Envelope Upgrade project. The funding will help pay for historic window replacements at the Community Center on Henry Street, improving energy efficiency while maintaining historic preservation standards. Hilton is contributing $15,000 in matching funds, resulting in a total project investment of $25,000.
Chili Expands Electric Equipment Use
The Town of Chili was awarded $5,300 for its Parks Maintenance Equipment Electrification Pilot. The project will transition parks maintenance operations from fossil-fuel-powered equipment to electric alternatives, helping reduce carbon emissions and decrease noise in town parks. Chili will provide a matching $5,300 contribution, bringing the project’s total value to $10,600.
Gates Studies Stormwater Challenges
In Gates, officials will use a $10,000 grant to launch a Stormwater Run-off Initiative Study. The comprehensive study will examine recurring flooding issues affecting residential neighborhoods, transportation infrastructure, and community assets. Gates will match the county’s contribution with an additional $10,000, creating a $20,000 project designed to improve long-term flood resilience and planning efforts.
Greece Pursues Regional Trail Connection
The largest award among the four communities went to the Town of Greece, which, in partnership with the City of Rochester, received $30,000 for a feasibility study exploring an extension of the Route 390 Multi-Use Trail. The study will evaluate connecting the trail’s current southern terminus at the intersection of Ridgeway Avenue and Latona Road to the Erie Canal and the Empire State Trail in the City of Rochester, creating enhanced recreational and transportation opportunities throughout the region. The municipalities will provide a combined $30,000 match, bringing the total study cost to $60,000.
Countywide, the Community Climate Action Fund is providing $101,800 in grants, leveraging $131,300 in local matching funds for a combined investment of more than $233,000 in sustainability projects.
“Thank you to every municipality that applied and our Department of Environmental Services for launching this new program and helping bring these projects to life. These projects are an example of what can be accomplished when different levels of government come together around a shared goal,” Bello added.
Learn more about the Community Climate Action Fund at https://www.monroecounty.gov/des-caf-program.
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