By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Three downtown Buffalo projects have qualified for economic development grants from National Grid.

The utility makes grants based on a project's overall development plan. In each instance, the projects are bringing back to life buildings in Buffalo's central business district. The grants come from National Grid's Main Street Grant program and are being passed through Buffalo Urban Development Corp. on behalf of the individual projects.

• A $50,000 allocation will help 4858 Group L.P., an affiliate of Ellicott Development Co., finance renovations of the former Baker Shoes building on Main Street. The $5 million project will turn the building into a mixed-used complex anchored by apartments on upper floors. The Baker Shoes building has been vacant for more than 10 years.

• A $50,000 grant went to the development team that bought the Calumet Building on Chippewa Street. The $2.8 million project will see the law firm of Kenney Shelton Liptak & Nowak LLP take over the upper floors, while the first floor will be anchored by Bacchus restaurant and other restaurants or retailers.

• Alliance Advisory Group Inc. received a $50,000 Main Street Grant to help finance its move from Amherst to a building at 600 Delaware Ave. Alliance is spending $2.75 million on the project.

Peter Cammarata, president of Buffalo Urban Development, said more than 40 percent of National Grid's Main Street Grants have helped finance local projects.

"They have a great track record in Western New York," he said.