Four CNY localities to prep projects for DRI, NY Forward

HOMER, N.Y. — The Village of Homer in Cortland County, Village of Moravia in Cayuga County, Village of Phoenix in Oswego County, and Village of Hamilton in Madison County are preparing to organize plans for spending state funding to improve their communities.

New York State has awarded Homer $10 million as the Central New York winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).

At the same time, the state announced funding for Phoenix, Moravia, and Hamilton as the Central New York region winners in the first round of the NY Forward program.

The Village of Phoenix receives $4.5 million, and the villages of Moravia and Hamilton each get $2.25 million, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an announcement.

New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez announced the funding awards during a Feb. 14 appearance at the Center for the Arts in the village of Homer.

Building on the DRI, 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, Hochul’s office said. As part of NY Forward’s first round, the state will announce two to three awards for smaller communities in each of the state’s 10 economic-development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns.

Each NY Forward community will develop a strategic investment plan to “revitalize” its downtown through a “slate of readily implementable projects.” 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.

Homer DRI award

Homer has been awarded $10 million in state funding and investments to revitalize its downtown neighborhood and generate new opportunities for long-term growth following the local planning process, Hochul’s office said. Homer joins the cities of Oswego, Cortland, Auburn, Fulton, Oneida and Syracuse, which were Central New York’s winners in the first five DRI rounds. 

Homer will begin the process of developing a strategic investment plan to revitalize its downtown with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. A local planning committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private-sector experts and state planners.

The plan will guide the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that will advance the community’s vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state’s $10 million investment, Hochul’s office said.

“This funding will ensure our beautiful, friendly, historic village remains prosperous and accessible for future generations. Some of the region’s most important historic structures will be preserved thanks to these monies, as well as creating new business and economic development opportunities for our current residents,” Village of Homer Mayor Hal McCabe said in a statement. “As we prepare as a region for the arrival of Micron, the DRI will also aid local projects which will position Homer as one of the premier communities the anticipated new employees and their families will call home.”

For DRI round 6, each of the state’s 10 economic-development regions are being awarded $10 million, to make for a total state commitment of $100 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods, the state says.