CANTON - High Peaks Winery in Parishville will be one of three rural economic development organizations will receive $203,600 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Corporation will receive $14,600 to support an expansion of High Peaks Winery. Calls left with Matthew W. Whalen, the winery’s owner, on Friday afternoon were not returned.

The funding was supported by U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

The funds were made available through the department’s Rural Economic Business Enterprise Grant program, which provides funds small rural businesses. The three organizations will split $203,600 in grants.

The Jefferson County Local Development Corp. took in the largest share of the funding, and will receive $99,000 for equipment aiding the development of Clayton Distilling Co.

The Lewis County Industrial Development Agency will receive $90,000 to augment the Lewis County Revolving Loan Fund

The USDA funding will be used to supplement roughly $40,000 in an existing revolving loan fund, according to Eric J. Virkler, Lewis County’s director of economic development and planning.

The funding was supported by U.S. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

“This federal funding is so important for the North Country’s economy,” Sen. Gillibrand said, in a statement announcing the grant funding. “Small businesses are the most powerful economic engines we have.”

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