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Governor Hochul Announces $200 Million in Funding to Revitalize Downtown Areas in Communities Across New York State

New $100 Million NY Forward Program to Invigorate and Enliven Smaller and Rural Downtowns

Launches Round 6 of $100 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative to Continue Supporting Downtown Areas in Metropolitan Centers

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation's Opens New $11 Million Coworking Space with Support of Jamaica's Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $200 million in funding for two major downtown revitalization initiatives: NY Forward, a new program aimed at rejuvenating smaller and rural communities, and Round 6 of the state's successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative. An educational brochure on both programs was also released today. Governor Hochul announced the funding in Jamaica, Queens at the ribbon-cutting for Greater Nexus, a brand-new $11 million coworking space funded through Jamaica's previous DRI award and operated by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation in partnership with York College.



"New York's downtowns are the heart and soul of our communities and regions, and today we're taking comprehensive action to support them," Governor Hochul said. "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative has ignited a renaissance in these spaces, which are critical to the continued growth of businesses and local economies, and I am proud to support this vital program. As we grow our downtowns, we are proud to launch a new program — NY Forward — that will provide crucial support to New York's smaller and rural communities to help bring them back to the bustling towns and villages they once were."   

"The DRI program has been successfully revitalizing downtown communities across New York State and with our new NY Forward program, we're extending that same spirit to our smaller and sometimes forgotten communities to help rejuvenate them," said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. "New investments in these critical initiatives will bring back New York's walkable downtown areas and restore the charm to our smaller villages and hamlets, all with sights set on rebuilding our economy."

DRI was launched in 2016 to accelerate and bolster the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for increased local investments. Led by the Department of State (DOS) with assistance from the Department of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR), Empire State Development (ESD) and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation. The Governor added a new component to DRI this year that allows two or three communities to apply jointly for one award. To date, DRI has awarded a total of $600 million to 59 communities in its first five rounds.

Read the full press release here.