New York State has awarded the Village of Endicott in Broome County and the City of Norwich in Chenango County $10 million grants as part of the fifth round of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).
Erik Kulleseid, commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, on Wednesday announced the DRI awards at the Endicott Welcome Center and at Commerce Chenango in Norwich. Both Endicott and Norwich are the Southern Tier winners in the fifth round of DRI, per the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“The Village of Endicott is a community on the rise,” Endicott Mayor Linda Jackson said in a state news release. “The DRI funds will increase our momentum and expand our current investment bringing continued economic growth and transformation to our Village.”
As part of DRI round five, New York is awarding each of the state’s 10 regional economic-development regions $20 million for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their post COVID-19 economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.
Norwich Mayor-elect Brian Doliver called it “an amazing day for Norwich.”
“I am grateful not only to Gov. Hochul for her support of our downtown, but to the many dedicated community members who worked hard to put forth this vision. I look forward to working with the entire community to develop projects to help begin a bright new chapter for Norwich.”
The Norwich and Endicott communities will now 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 strategic investment plan will examine local assets and opportunities and identify economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with each community’s vision for downtown revitalization and that are “poised for implementation.”
The strategic investment 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.
Plans for the DRI’s fifth round will be completed in 2022.