NYS says $200M is available to reinvigorate downtowns

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New York State officials say $200 million in funding is now available for downtown revitalization and economic development programs.

The funding comprises $100 million each for eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and the third round of the NY Forward program, which focuses on revitalizing smaller and rural downtowns.

The DRI program was launched in 2016, while the NY Forward was established in 2022. The two programs together have awarded more than $1 billion in funding to 124 communities in “every region” across the state, officials said.

Applications, now available through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application Portal, are due Oct. 18, at 4 p.m.

“With strategic economic development investments, we’re building vibrant downtowns that are attracting businesses and residents to every region of New York,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release about the programs.

“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs are reinvigorating downtowns and transforming our communities into world-class destinations for businesses, families and tourists,” she added.

Past DRI awardees on Long Island include Westbury, Hicksville, Central Islip, Baldwin, Amityville and Riverhead, Huntington Station and Smithtown-Kings Park.

Previous NY Forward awardees include Lindenhurst, Long Beach, Brookhaven-North Bellport and Mineola.

“New York State is home to so many communities with rich histories and charm, and our Downtown Revitalization and NY Forward programs are helping to transform those communities into hubs of activity while retaining the characteristics that make them so unique,” New York Secretary of State Walter  Mosley said in the news release.

“This $200 million in funding will help an additional 29 downtown communities turn their visions of revitalization into a reality, in turn spurring local and regional economies and strengthening all of New York State,” Mosley added.

DRI, which is led by the Department of State, has awarded a total of $800 million to 81 communities in its first seven rounds and invested in the creation of over 4,500 new housing units. DRI communities benefit from partnerships with and coordinated technical assistance by the Department of Housing and Community Renewal, Empire State Development and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. For this round, joint applications of two to three contiguous communities in the same Regional Economic Development Council with a single unified vision will be accepted.

To date, NY Forward has awarded a total of $200 million to 43 communities over two rounds. NY Forward communities work with assigned consultants through a planning and technical assistance process to develop a slate of readily implementable projects. NY Forward provides one-to-one technical assistance from consultants to assist communities in developing their full applications and throughout the implementation process. The program offers two $4.5 million awards for each region.