Kent Lakes, NY - New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today $100,000 in grant funding for the Town of Kent and its installation of an energy-efficient HVAC system and EV charging stations as part of renovations and modernization of Kent’s historic Old Town Hall and enhancement of other town facilities. 

“This investment in Kent will help bring new life to a historic building and provide efficient EV charging, both while advancing our shared commitment to clean energy and community resilience,” Harckham said. “This important financial support can help save local taxpayers money both in the short-term and in the long-term.” 

“We would like to thank Senator Harckham for the $100,000 grant for the Town of Kent,” said Kent Supervisor Jamie McGlasson. “We will use half the funds for an HVAC system at our Community Center, currently under renovation, and half to build EV charging stations. The generous funding provided for these two projects will positively impact the lives of our Kent residents.”

Located at 770 Route 52 in Kent Lakes, the Old Town Hall is a 3,616-square-foot building constructed in 1950 that once served as a town courthouse, police station, and municipal offices. Since the construction of the new town center complex in 2004, the building has remained largely vacant. Kent officials plan to fully renovate the structure to serve residents as a flexible community hub powered by renewable energy and energy-efficient infrastructure.

The renovation of the Old Town Hall aligns with other clean-energy initiatives underway in Kent, including the installation of the EV chargers at the Town Library and the current Town Hall. Once complete, the project will reflect the Town’s long-term commitment to sustainability, resilience, and smart reinvestment in existing infrastructure.

Harckham has delivered more than $35 million in state grant funding for municipalities, first responders, and nonprofit organizations since taking office in 2019.