Happy Two-Year Anniversary Grow LivCo

Livingston County Economic Development is excited to celebrate the two-year anniversary of Grow LivCo.

Grow LivCo represents our team's dedication to growing and developing all aspects of life in Livingston County. From strengthening our towns, our Main Streets, and our neighborhoods to driving our local economy, retaining and attracting residents and visitors, and elevating the quality of life in the region, we are building a place where nature and culture reinforce one another.

In short, we are passionately invested in YOU!

We look forward to even brighter and more vibrant days ahead with your help and continued support in LivCo. The ensuing result will create an improved quality of life, new downtown living, retail, restaurants, entertainment, and job opportunities. Grow LivCo is committed to investing in the future and to investing in you.

In the past year, we have…

Awarded Back to Business Funding

Livingston County Economic Development received supplemental Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding that was awarded to businesses to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. These funds provided grants to eligible businesses to support customer and staff safety, improve business resiliency, reopen Livingston County businesses to full capacity, and expand businesses to recover revenue quickly.

  • $1.75 million in grants approved to retain, restore and create 85 jobs

  • Average award amount: $40,700

  • More than $450,000 in private investment leveraged

  • 43 businesses assisted across Livingston County

Welcomed New Dream-O-Vate Winners

Livingston County Economic Development launched another round of the Dream-O-Vate Business Competition in 2021 offering $300,000 in grants and technical assistance. Businesses who applied completed Business Boot Camp before submitting their business plans. Plans were evaluated on the concept, community need and impact, readiness, viability, and financial feasibility. The winners of the 2021 Dream-O-Vate Competition were:

  • Angie's Ice Cream

  • A.N. Wine + Liquor House

  • Avon Park Theater

  • Cosmic Charlie Cafe

  • Easton's Food + Drink

  • Florence's Perpetual Estate Sale

  • little Lake Brewing

  • Milk + Honey Cafe

  • Route + Roost - Kitchen and Trading Post

  • Six Sprouts Farm Market

  • The Barn at Fire Creek Farms

  • The Dansville Granola Company

  • The V.A.U.L.T. (Vintage and Upcycled Lasting Treasures)

  • Woodlawn Distillery

  • Zeppo's Creekside Creamery

Launched Extreme Makeover: LivCo Edition

Grow LivCo is committed to transformative revitalization that preserves and enhances the charm and character of the communities in Livingston County. Extreme Makeover: LivCo Edition provided matching grant funds to transform commercial and mixed-use buildings that are key to revitalization efforts. These renovations will attract new visitors and boost the quality of life in the region by creating unique spaces for new and expanding businesses.

  • 19 projects were approved for $891,000 in funding to leverage $1.9 million in private investment to complete $2.8 million in projects across the county

  • An additional $65,000 was allocated to 8 projects for First Impressions improvements

  • All projects will be completed in 2022

Expanded at James Steele Commerce Park

Over the past five years, Livingston County Economic Development has made remarkable progress in our development of James Steele Commerce Park. The recent additions of UET Controls and Piranha Milling & Paving brought a significant amount of construction to the Town of Avon!

UET is fully operational with 7 employees and a nationwide customer base that has kept them very active. Piranha Milling and Paving began with a 15,000 square foot facility to house and maintain a large fleet of construction vehicles and equipment. An additional 10,000 square foot mixed-use space was quickly leased by various parties, resulting in the proposal of a 2nd similar building. The Agency currently has another 5 acres under contract and several inquiries and proposals for the remaining lands.

Joined Offices with Livingston County Tourism

To allow for closer alignment on many county initiatives that will leverage visitor spending and grow our economy, Livingston County Economic Development joined offices with Livingston County Tourism and welcomed new director, Melissa Hughes, to lead the continued effort to enhance the quality of life, create destination businesses, and elevate outdoor recreation in the Genesee River Valley. Our offices coming together will increase destination marketing and promotion to visitors and locals.

The two entities work together to implement tourism strategies based on a Destination Assessment that was conducted in November of 2020 by Roger Brooks, one of the world's leading experts on community branding, downtown development, and destination marketing. The new tourism strategy will focus on expanding digital presence and direct programming that will enhance tourism-facing businesses and improve quality of life metrics.

News and EventsMolly DowneyLivingston County Economic Development