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Governor Hochul Announces Far Rockaway as NYC Region Winner in First Round of NY Forward

Far Rockaway to Receive $4.5 Million

New $100 Million NY Forward Program Builds on Momentum of the Successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative to Support Equitable Recovery

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Far Rockaway will receive $4.5 million in funding as one of the New York City region winners of the first round of NY Forward. Building on the momentum of the state's successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same "Plan-then-Act" strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York's communities. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to communities in each of the state's ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns.

"New York's smaller towns and cities are the heartbeat of our state,” Governor Hochul said. "Through NY Forward, my administration is building on the continued success of our Downtown Revitalization Initiative to ensure these communities have the resources they need to reach their full potential. I'm proud to announce Far Rockaway will receive $4.5 million from this initiative to support locally-led projects that will enhance the downtown's beauty and help the community thrive."

NY Forward is a central component of the State's economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York's downtowns and commercial corridors. NY Forward communities serve the immediate local residents and are more local in nature, as opposed to communities typically funded through DRI that focus on amenities and attractions that serve the regional community. For the New York City region, NY Forward communities are BID-scale business districts where projects are developed with input from local residents.

Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support those communities with less internal capacity as part of the NY Forward program and fund projects appropriately scaled to the size of each community. Projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.

Read the full press release here.