BUFFALO, N.Y. — Western New York officials visited the Mammoser Farms in Eden to present aid from the July 2024 Tornado Damage Fund program, which contains $2 million.
They were the first farm in the area to receive funding from the devastating tornadoes that hit Western New York after they formed off of remnants of Hurricane Beryl.
The funding comes from leftover grants the county received from the November 2022 winter storm.
"It's the beginning of our economy," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said. "Here was, of course, our farmers who moved into Erie County and Western New York before Erie County was even a county. There were farmers here, farming the land, and we want to ensure that continues so we have a strong economy for all, including the agricultural community, and this is just one way in which we can ensure that, going forward, we do have a strong agricultural community."
Money from the grant will be used to rebuild and repair buildings and equipment that were damaged from the storm.
Poloncarz also says he expects more checks to be given out in the near future.