About that NORLIC money

Klyczek was present and took the floor after Genovese to discuss the Niagara Orleans Land Improvement Corporation’s request for a $30,000 contribution from the city.

The allocation was on the last city council agenda and postponed by Cauley because he wanted to better understand what the city can expect from its investment.

Klyczek said when NORLIC was formed in 2017, it was as an economic development tool that could take possession of properties that had fallen on hard times and work to secure public and private funding to get them back on the tax rolls.

Originally, the agreement was for the participating entities to share expenses on a pro-rata basis. That means the counties as well as Lockport, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls.

It was difficult to track expenses and wait for grant money. By seeking the $30,000 contribution, NORLIC hopes to improve its cashflow.

Klyczek said the work done by NORLIC in the Falls since the beginning is valued at $1,429,113. The properties in question often have no value. NORLIC stabilizes, cleans out and looks for developers.

Niagara Falls has a good supply of housing and a market advantage over Buffalo where many developers have been priced out of the market.

“The idea becomes who is going to give us the best product,” Klyczek said.