National Grid : Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - NATIONAL GRID AWARDS UNITED HELPERS A MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION INCENTIVE FOR MOSAIC COMPLEX RENOVATION PROJECT

OGDENSBURG, N.Y., August 27, 2014 - National Grid and United Helpers today announced a $25,000 Main Street Revitalization Program incentive to help offset construction costs associated with the renovation of a vacant structure in the mall area of downtown Ogdensburg into revitalized, usable space. United Helpers is a not-for-profit organization that provides services to over 1,500 elderly and disabled patients in Northern New York.

United Helpers recently completed the second phase of renovations at the former vacant structure, located at 100 Ford St., now renamed the Mosaic Complex. The facility will house its Mosaic program to provide living options and services for patients with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and chronic or persistent mental illnesses.

"National Grid is dedicated to the revitalization of central business districts and commercial corridors right here in Northern New York," said Melanie Littlejohn, regional executive of National Grid Central New York Division. "Through the company's Main Street Revitalization Program, we are pleased to aid worthy organizations like United Helpers that provide a valuable service to patients and positive impact to our region."

A $760,000 investment in the project by United Helpers will help to retain or add 25 jobs for employees who deliver or administer Mosaic services and other United Helpers training programs, as well as help to make business processes more efficient and expand services.

"The National Grid grant was critical to our ability to continue the Mosaic Complex Renovation Project," said Stephen Knight, CEO, United Helpers. "The completion of the new facility greatly benefits United Helpers' staff and residents in many ways."

United Helpers is not only helping to grow its operations with the new Mosaic Complex, but expects to further contribute to economic development, job retention and growth in downtown Ogdensburg.

Since the inception of National Grid's Main Street Revitalization Program in 2003, the company has awarded 122 grants totaling over $5 million to projects that rehabilitated and occupied vacant commercial and mixed-use buildings on Main Streets and commercial corridors across upstate New York.

Construction of the Mosaic Complex was completed in two phases. The first phase included the renovation of the building structure, while the second phase incorporated the redevelopment of previously unused space with the addition of a fully accessible, developmental and therapeutic gymnasium for residents and meeting rooms for public use. National Grid's funding helped United Helpers to offset construction and renovation costs of the second phase. Additional renovated space will be used as a secure room to house confidential medical records, an improvement over former practices where patient records were stored at nearly 12 different work sites.

Through National Grid's Main Street Revitalization Program, United Helpers can grow, improve efficiencies and offer expanded services as part of the company's suite of Shovel Ready economic development programs for upstate New York.

National Grid's Main Street Revitalization Program strives to stimulate investment in the rehabilitation and occupancy of vacant buildings in downtowns, on Main Streets and in commercial corridors in upstate New York communities. National Grid Economic Development staff work with municipalities, local economic development organizations, chambers of commerce and private developers to identify eligible projects.

For more information on the program and other eligibility requirements, please visit www.shovelready.com .

About United Helpers

United Helpers is a not-for-profit organization that has provided an array of community services throughout St. Lawrence County for the past 116 years. One of the largest employers in the region and one of the North Country region's largest economic drivers, United Helpers offers services ranging from independent retirement communities to complete long term care, including: assisted living, home care, skilled nursing, senior housing, respite and outpatient therapy services. United Helpers also provides homes and services for people with development disabilities and for those with mental illness. Directly and indirectly, United Helpers supports more than 950 local jobs.

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it 'joins everything up'.

In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. 

National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com

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