Villages of Montour Falls and Waverly to Receive $4.5 Million Each New $100 Million NY Forward Program Builds on Momentum of the Successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative to Support a More Equitable Downtown Recovery for New York’s Smaller and Rural Communities Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Villages of Montour Falls and Waverly will each receive $4.5 million in funding as the Southern Tier 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 smaller and rural communities. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns. “Montour Falls and Waverly represent some of the best that New York State has to offer: natural beauty, a vibrant business community, thriving agriculture, and culturally rich historical sites,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to NY Forward, these communities will be able to leverage these assets and state funding to revitalize their downtowns, welcome even more workers and businesses, and transform their Main Streets into regional destinations. My administration remains committed to investing in local economies like these to give residents the jobs, the tools, and the infrastructure needed to 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. NY Forward serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. NY Forward communities are walkable, less dense areas that serve the immediate local community, and are more local in nature – focusing on the immediately surrounding residential or rural agricultural centric development. Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown through a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support smaller communities that may have less 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.

Budget Includes $250 Million to Fund Housing Infrastructure; $20 Million for Planning Assistance Includes $240 Million in Department of Transportation Capital Projects and $27 Million for Local Road Repairs Traducción al español Governor Kathy Hochul today announced details of key proposals from her Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget to grow jobs and boost the economy in the Mid-Hudson Region of New York. In line with the 2023 State of the State, the budget includes a major investment to increase housing supply and expand economic opportunity and innovation in the region. "These significant investments in housing, education, and infrastructure in the Mid-Hudson region are critical to lifting up the local community and economy," Governor Hochul said. "This funding is building on efforts already underway to ensure the region is safe, affordable, and resilient to the challenges of the future -- creating a more prosperous Mid-Hudson region for generations to come." Several of the budget proposals Governor Hochul announced today are in line with the Economic Innovation Plan announced in the 2023 State of the State to grow jobs and businesses by expanding economic opportunity and innovation across New York State through targeted investments, business support and other programming aimed at high-growth industries. The Governor's budget includes several initiatives to invest in higher education and improve local attractions across the state.  Read the full press release here.

Village of Sleepy Hollow and Town of Cornwall to Receive $4.5 Million Each New $100 Million NY Forward Program Builds on Momentum of the Successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative to Support a More Equitable Downtown Recovery for New York’s Smaller Communities Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Village of Sleepy Hollow, and the Town of Cornwall and the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, will each receive $4.5 million in funding as the two Mid-Hudson 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 DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities. During NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns. As part of the FY24 Executive Budget, Governor Hochul has proposed $100 million to fund an additional round of NY Forward. “We are helping small towns and cities across our state build a better future for New Yorkers through our NY Forward program,” Governor Hochul said. “These awards will help the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Town of Cornwall and the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson develop their downtowns, improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, and create new jobs and attract businesses to expand economic opportunity across the region.” NY Forward is a component of the State’s economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York’s downtowns. The program serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. NY Forward communities are walkable, less dense areas that serve the immediate local community, and are more local in nature - focusing on the immediately surrounding residential or rural agricultural centric development. Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown through a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support smaller communities that may have less 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.

Postponed – To Be Rescheduled With videoconferencing to: Empire State Development, 633 Third Avenue – 36th Floor Conference Room, New York, New York 10017 This meeting is open to the public. Please Note: Those attending at either location must RSVP by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. RSVP press line (800) 260-7313; RSVP Buffalo press line (716) 846-8239; RSVP public line (212) 803-3772 The public may listen to the meeting via webcast by clicking the link below. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda item in writing to [email protected] by 9:00 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2022. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted online.