Fulton City Council Learns about the Fulton Block Builder Program

On Tuesday March 4th the Fulton City Council heard a presentation about the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) program. Highlights included successful fundraising, community participation and partnerships with the city.

In 2024 Fulton Block Builders (FBB) awarded 197 Block Challenge, Paint Fulton and Pride Grants. Since its inception in 2017 FBB has awarded 1,583 grants. Awards were made to 22 blocks of neighbors in all Wards of the City of Fulton. For every one-dollar FBB awarded, homeowners spent 4.2 dollars, demonstrating the confidence that their investment will pay off. Participating FBB property owners have invested four and a half million dollars in exterior improvements in the past 8 years. Community support continued to exceed expectations. Thanks to local businesses, civic groups and individuals FBB raised $53,000 and received a Richard S Shineman Grant for $100,000. Notably the Foundation has been a consistent supporter contributing grants totaling $966,000 since 2017.

“The city’s support has significantly impacted FBB’s success. We ask that you continue that support by encouraging members of your Wards to apply by March 17th for this year’s grants, Thank You” concluded Tina Eusepi, FBB Administrative Director.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2025 Fulton Block Builders

Pre-Qualification Forms due by Monday, March 17, 2025

Final applications due by Monday, April 28, 2025

Awards announced Friday, May 16, 2025

Kick off Dinner for Sponsors and Awardees Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

Improvement projects must be completed by October 31, 2025

Alissa Viscome, Linda Eagan, Tina Eusepi and Shannon Sawyer share information about the Fulton Block Builder program with the Fulton City Council.

Fulton Block Builders Accepting Applications Through Monday March 17th

You’ve seen the improvements throughout the city and thought you would like to be a part of “that”! Well NOW is the time.

 Fulton Block Builders (FBB) invites ANY block in the city to apply for its 2025 Block Challenge, a program that offers matching funds to each participating homeowner for exterior home improvements. The program encourages and rewards neighborhood groups to work together and reinvest in their own community.  The Block Challenge Grant’s Applications must be submitted by Monday, March17.

 To complete the Application, city residents must first form a neighborhood cluster with 5 to 15 property owners in proximity. The group can include homeowners or landlords. The closer the clusters are grouped and the larger the number of participants, the more competitive the application becomes. In addition to the matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers. If you are interested in painting your house there is a separate “Paint Fulton” application

 Applications for the 2025 program can be found here: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/ or call 315-529-9181

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/fultonblockbuilders

Fulton Block Builders to Hold Information Meeting On 2025 Block Challenge Program

Fulton Block Builders will  hold a community information session to answer questions about their 2025 application process on Wednesday January 22nd at River Vista Conference Center, 810 South 1st Street, Fulton NY  at 6:00pm. There will be a short presentation on how the program works and plenty of time to get all your questions answered. Two thousand twenty-five is sure to be another amazing year for this program and FBB wants everyone to have a chance to become involved. Any block in the city can apply to the program and, once again, FBB has received additional funding to promote more east-side blocks to apply. 

The FBB Block Challenge is a neighborhood revitalization program that encourages groups of neighbors to collaborate on exterior improvements to their properties, with the goal of building confidence in Fulton’s neighborhoods and inspiring others to reinvest. Since FBB’s start in 2017, we have funded 1583 properties and participating FBB residents invested nearly 4.2 million dollars in their homes. Each participating property owner in a Challenge Block is eligible to receive a dollar-for-dollar match on exterior improvements up to $1,000. 

Aside from matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers. There are also additional bonuses for corner properties, block leaders and for using the Historical Colors that can found on the Paint Fulton tab of the FBB website. FBB website: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/

FBB Block applications are competitive – advice and suggestions for strong block applications will be discussed at the information meeting. Snacks and drinks will be available.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2025 Fulton Block Builders

        City Informational Wednesday January 22, 2025

Pre-Qualification Forms due by Monday, March 17, 2025

Final applications due by Monday, April 28, 2025

Awards announced Friday, May 16, 2025 

Kick off Dinner for Sponsors and Awardees Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

Improvement projects must be completed by October 31, 2025

This Thanksgiving, Futon Block Builder’s Take Time to say Thank you!

Fulton Block Builders (FBB) has just completed the 8th year of the program and would like to thank the city of Fulton and its residents for wholeheartedly embracing the Healthy Neighborhood concepts. The city has seen some spectacular transformative changes in the last 8 years, thanks to resident leadership! To say the FBB volunteers are proud is a massive understatement. We love this city we call home, and it is evident we are not alone. Not only have the neighbors led their blocks to new heights and visions; Pride Grants have brought cultural events, increased community spirit, fantastic additions to the neighborhoods and supported our churches as they serve so many. 

Highlights include increased community pride, reinvestment into our homes/neighborhoods which in turn creates more and more investment. This investment can be seen through individual home care, neighborhood gatherings, new volunteerism, more people stepping up to help in the city and even making the commitment to run for office. Elections are no longer stagnant, they are full of ideas, debates, and excellent choices for citizens to choose from. 

New groups have been stimulated by the successes of FBB: Fulton Porchfest, Fulton Garden Club, Fulton DRI, Fulton Special Events, Fulton Living History Tours, Reimagine Fulton, The Fulton Library Memoir Project and MANY partnerships with the City and FBB, “Ohhh what will the citizens of this great city think of next. Cannot wait… seriously I can’t wait” said Eusepi.

Along with Tina and Linda, FBB volunteers Kellie Niccoli, Mike Peterson, Tonya Crisafulli, Ann Casey, Allissa Viscome, Greg Bailey, Tracy Cavalier, Chris Weaver, Sharon Buske, Shannon Sawyer, Penny Halstead, Vicki Hohman, Karen Perwitz, and Joyce Garrett wish you the very best this Thanksgiving and thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts for your belief in the Fulton community!

Tina Eusepi, Fulton Block Builder (FBB) Director, Linda Eagan FBB Founder and all FBB Volunteers Wish Fulton Residents a Very Happy Thanksgiving.

Fulton Living History Tour Set for Sept. 20 at 11:00 and Sept. 21 at 1:00

The 2023 Living History Tour’s success proved to be more than an entertaining look back at Fulton’s past. It was also a catalyst that has inspired the city of Fulton to create a more complete and inclusive celebration of its notable history. After the Tour ended, the planning committee began brainstorming this expansion, inviting other community organizations to partner with them in this endeavor.

While the actual walking Tour will again take place on a main street bordering the Oswego River, the narration and performances will include 38 actors depicting scenes at former industries located throughout the city, churches that welcomed immigrants to our community, and cultural events that shaped Fulton’s uniqueness.

The expanded Tour will also offer opportunities for Fulton youth to gain an appreciation of their hometown’s history. The storywalk is being created by the library’s Teen Group. Junior high students in the district will be bused to the Tour, providing the inclusion of local history into their curriculum studies. A combined Junior- Senior High School jazz band will recreate music once performed by Fulton’s renowned drum & bugle corps. The 2024 Tours are sure to be a spectacular event in the city.

Members of the 2024 Fulton Living History Tour Planning Committee are hard at work. From left to right are Jim Farfaglia, Lori Blackburn, Karalyn Wyman, Marissa Hanlon, Tina Eusepi, Shannon Sawyer, Deverick Reidell, and Melanie Strong. Absent are Ann Casey and Linda

Eagan

Eastern Shore Insurance Agency Presents Fulton Block Builders with Check for 2024 Program.

Supporting Fulton Block Builders (FBB) is a natural for Eastern Shore Insurance Agency, a valued, community minded organization. Eastern Shore, a 100% employee-owned organization with over 80 insurance professionals, operates from six branch offices throughout Central and Upstate New York.

They work with over 30 insurance companies, giving them the ability to find the best solution for each of their customers; insurance needs. The employee-owners live and work in the same communities as their customers, and are dedicated to helping protect the insurance risk of our neighbors. FBB is a volunteer grass roots organization within the city of Fulton dedicated to community revitalization one block at a time. Their fundraising goal for 2024 is $50,000. If FBB is successful in raising the full amount, the Richard S. Shineman Foundation has committed $100,000 to the FBB program. “It’s our pleasure to support the FBB and be a part of its success” said Kim Allen, Director of Operations at Eastern Shore.

Fulton Block Builders is extremely grateful to Eastern Shore Insurance Agency and the Richard S. Shineman Foundation for their continued support of this program and encourages others to follow their lead. Since FBB’s start in 2017, both Eastern Shore and the Shineman Foundation have been continuous supporters. As a result Fulton has seen a 4 million dollar investment in city properties.

Kiley Loveall and Lynn Burns of Eastern Shore are seen here after presenting a

check to Fulton Block Builders (FBB).

Support continues to grow for the Fulton Block Builders

Oswego County Federal Credit Union’s (Oswego FCU), Khadijah Malone, Fulton Branch Manager recently presented Linda Eagan with a check for $5,000 for the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) project. “Oswego County Federal Credit Union is proud to be a Corporate Sponsor of this transformative initiative and thanks all those involved for their continued enthusiasm and hard work!” Malone said.

“FBB is a program that generates neighborhood pride and helps homeowners and property owners recover part of the cost of their exterior property investment,” Malone added. “At Oswego County FCU, the credit union motto of ‘People Helping People’ is not some fancy slogan; it’s something we believe in and practice every day! Supporting the Block Builder movement is a perfect partnership for us.”

Founded in 1975, Oswego County FCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative association dedicated to providing quality financial products and services delivered in a professional, courteous, and timely manner. They currently serve the financial needs of approximately 13,000 members from throughout Oswego County. “Those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Oswego County, are eligible to join the Oswego County FCU’s family” shared Malone.

 “This generous donation from the Oswego County Federal Credit Union moves FBB $5,000 closer to our fundraising goal,” Eagan said. “This means we will have the funds available for 2024 Block Challenge grants. This year close to 200 homeowners have been awarded FBB grants.”

Khadijah Malone, Branch Manager and Emily Strzelinski are proud of Oswego County Federal Credit Union’s support for Fulton Block Builder Program

ALKEGEN Joins the Fulton Block Builders Fundraising Campaign

ALKEGEN recently presented Linda Eagan with a check for $1,000 for the Fulton Block Builder (FBB) project. “ALKEGEN is proud to be a sponsor of this transformative initiative. Each year ALKEGEN looks for multiple ways to be involved in the communities where we have plants!” said Cathy Crisafulli, Assistant Controller for ALKEGEN Fulton and Lewis plants.

“The Fulton plant is one of over 60 locations, ALKEGEN brings together a fresh slate of exciting technologies that open doors to new opportunities. Most importantly, ALKEGEN is now a global family of 9,000-plus employees working together to create the world’s most innovative specialty materials platform dedicated to sustainability and human health while serving the industries tackling some of the most critical problems we face today. The Fulton plant is a fiber-based gasket material manufacturer. Three and four generations of families have worked here” continued Crisafulli.

Justin Sheppard and Paul Burgess, Alkegen Shipping and Receiving employees are with Linda Eagan, Fulton Block Builder founder.