bethel local development corporation (BLDC)

Daniel Sturm, BLDC Chairman
E-mail:  bethelsupervisor@libertybiz.rr.com
(845) 583-4350 ext. 102
 

Christopher Cunningham, BLDC Manager
E-mail:  bldcmanager@hvc.rr.com
(845) 583-4350 ext. 110

Fax:  (845) 583-0225  

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 300
White Lake, NY 12786
 

Location:
3454 Route 55
White Lake, NY 12786

2021 BLDC Meeting Dates:

6:00 p.m. at the Dr. Duggan School, Meeting Room, 3460 Route 55, White Lake, NY 12786

May 7, 2021

July 7, 2021

September 1, 2021

November 3, 2021

BLDC Committee - Bethel Business Association (BBA):

Link to Bethel Business Association (BBA) Committee Members and Minutes  https://www.bethelbusiness.com/general-5

The Bethel Local Development Corporation (BLDC) is a not-for-profit corporation formed to assist the Town of Bethel in promoting economic activity and job creation. Its purpose can be quoted in part from its Certificate of Incorporation: “the Corporation shall be operated exclusively for the charitable or public purposes of

relieving and reducing unemployment, promoting and providing for additional and maximum employment, and bettering and maintaining job opportunities within the Town of Bethel thereby benefiting its residents, carrying on research for the purpose of aiding the Town and surrounding area by attracting new industry to the community or retention of an industry in the community, acting in the public interest, including [but not limited to] developing and promoting musical concerts, festivals, performances and other cultural events within the Town of Bethel and in general, the performance of any and all acts and things lawful for the Corporation for the purpose of accomplishing any of the purposes of the Corporation.

The BLDC was formed by the Town on May 7, 1998, under a provision of the New York State Corporation Law, Article 14 Special Not-for Profit Corporations, section 1411 Local Development Corporations. For tax purposes it is classified as a 170(c)(1) corporation, exempt from income taxes and able to accept tax-deductible donations from others.  As a corporation, the BLDC is effectively “owned” by the Town. Five of its seven board members are town officials and the remaining two board members are appointed by the Town Supervisor. There are currently seven board members (the maximum permitted), the Town Supervisor, the four other town board members, and two additional residents who are not town officials. The Town Board approves the BLDC’s annual budget and other significant financial undertakings such as bonds and loans. If the BLDC were to be dissolved, its assets would generally revert to the Town.  At its most basic, the BLDC obtains money, spends money and promotes activities in pursuit of its stated purposes. The BLDC obtains money primarily from three general sources: The BLDC can apply for grant money from government and private agencies that offer grants for specific purposes. Generally the BLDC would compete with other applicants, with the granting agency deciding which applicants present the most beneficial proposals.

The BLDC can accept donations from individuals or corporations for general use or for the conduct of specific projects which the BLDC feels would benefit the town. The BLDC spends money primary through grants or loans to support local projects that are expected to improve the economy of the town. The BLDC promotes activities such as those of Bethel First, the Bethel Business Association and Sullivan Renaissance that assist in promoting the economic well being of the Town.