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Hunter Foundation, Inc.
The Hunter Foundation, Inc is a 501©3 non-profit organization formed in 1997 by three devoted and dedicated local business persons: Sean Byrne, Ron Wagner, and Orville Slutzky. The Hunter Foundation is committed to improving the Mountaintop Communities for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. The initial and primary focus has been the Route 23A corridor also known as the “Rip Van Winkle Trail” in the [Village of Tannersville]. The objective is to beautify Route 23A by improving properties – both commercial and residential – and by filling vacant storefronts and making renovated space available to businesses.

Mission
The Mission Statement of the Hunter Foundation includes the goals of the organization:


 * To purchase, improve and resell blighted properties in the Town of Hunter;
 * To develop affordable residential and business property in the Town of Hunter;
 * To promote business activity in the Town, particularly in the construction trades;
 * To facilitate tourism/community infrastructure initiatives;
 * To create a healthier tax base;
 * To seek loans, donations, grants, and tax advantages on behalf of Foundation goals;
 * To advocate for State/Federal projects and assistance in the Town.

History
The Hunter Foundation projects always remain on the tax rolls at full assessed valuation. To date the Hunter Foundation has had significant success, including assisting in the rehabilitation of over 100 homes and 35 businesses in the Town of Hunter and (through specific programs) in the neighboring towns. In 2009, the Hunter Foundation was awarded $600,000 to create and implement the “Mountaintop Communities Rehabilitation Program”(MCRP). The MCRP provided grant funds to the residents of Ashland, Hunter, Jewett, Lexington, Prattsville, and Windham to make necessary repairs and energy upgrades to 20 owner-occupied homes. In 2012 the Hunter Foundation was awarded a grant by the O’Connor Foundation to assist homeowners in Prattsville rebuild after the damage done by Hurricane Irene. The Hunter Foundation continues to administer the privately funded and very popular Paint Program along the Route 23A corridor to residential and commercial properties. Additionally, the Hunter Foundation actively raises for and distributes small grant dollars to nonprofits, organizations, and clubs in the mountain top area including the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District.

Projects
The Hunter Foundation owns, operates, supports over 20 properties in the Village of Tannersville and Town of Hunter. Including short term rentals, long term residential tenants, and commercial businesses. Three pillar businesses operated by the Hunter Foundation include: Tannersville Antique Center & Antique Annex, Colonial Country Club and Golf Course , and Fromer Market Gardens and Fromer House.

Fundraising
In addition to managing over 20 properties in the mountain top region, the Hunter Foundation actively fundraises for its own operational budget and seeks local, regional, state, and federal grant opportunities to invest in the community. This includes but is not limited to the Consolidated Funding Application, Downtown Revitalization Initiative , and other private Foundations. The Downtown Revitalization Project submitted by the Hunter Foundation included an exhaustive examination of the communities priorities and revealed six key regional strategies to promote and enhance the mountain top communities to further a livable, walkable, and vacation-worthy region: Lift off entrepreneurs in agriculture, food, and tourism; Advance the Village and mountain top opportunity agenda; Cultivate a creative economy in arts, culinary, and technology; Invest in downtown revitalization to be a thriving rural metro; expand access to affordable and quality childcare; Address environmental justice as an age & access friendly model.

Gooseberry Creek Corridor Revitalization Strategy
Since 2016, the Hunter Foundation Inc and the Village of Tannersville have partnered to administer over $650,000 in grants awarded through the Consolidated Funding Application program. In 2018, the State of New York awarded the Village of Tannersville and the Hunter Foundation Inc with a grant of $500,000 towards the further development and rehabilitation of Lake Rip Van Winkle and Gooseberry Creek. The Gooseberry Creek Revitalization Strategy outlines a vision and goals for the Village of Tannersville’s waterways, downtown and neighborhoods. It synthesizes the work of many partners and outlines a plan of attack for continuing to promote the Village as a place to live, work and play. This Strategy was prepared with funding provided by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund. It builds upon investments in infrastructure already underway and provides an understanding of community assets and opportunities, threats and constraints. Sustainable tax base generation, job creation and expansion of the tourism economy are central goals behind this initiative.

Board of Directors
The Hunter Foundation is managed by a 11-member volunteer board of directors, all who reside or have generational familial ties to the Town of Hunter.