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Lyons Falls Paper Mill demolition gets $1 million to continue

Roy Saplin
The former paper mill in Lyons Falls in 2010.

A nonprofit behind a development on the site of the old Lyons Falls Paper Mill in Lewis County will receive a $1 million grant from the state.

The Lewis County Development Corporation is in the first phase of demolishing the abandoned paper mill. They've slowly removed hazardous materials and obtained building permits. The non-profit plans to build a modern industrial park on the 9-acre site.

But demolishing the mill was more complicated and expensive then the Development Corporation expected. The project has moved at a snail's pace as they've struggled to find more funding.

The award from Empire State Development will be used for part of the cost of demolition. The goal of the agency is to stimulate the economy by investing in revitalization projects across New York.

The Lyons Mill site still needs to pass through three more phases of demolition before its ready for new development.

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