State offers $18 million in grant funding for various programs fostering revitalization and growth

Funding for the state’s Local Waterfront Revitalization, Smart Grown Community Planning and Zoning, and Brownfield Opportunity Area programs is available through the New York Department of State. (Photo credit: New York Department of State website)

The New York Department of State announced it is making $18 million in funding available for three statewide community planning, development, and infrastructure programs the Smart Growth Community Planning and Zoning Program, Brownfield Opportunity Area Program, and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

Applications are made through the states consolidated funding application and are due by 4 p.m. on July 31.

The Smart Growth Planning and Zoning Grant Program offers $2 million for communities to develop local and countywide comprehensive plans, targeted area plans, and zoning ordinances. Communities must commit to incorporating the principles of Smart Growth into their planning and zoning including things such as walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly streetscapes; compact, mixed-use community design; vibrant downtowns; and diversity of housing options.

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Under the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program, $2 million in funding provides for grants to transform known or suspected brownfield sites into community assets that support new businesses, jobs, housing, and public amenities. The program also provides grants for pre-development activities such as environmental, housing, and economic studies; infrastructure analyses; marketing strategies; public engagement; and zoning.

The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program has $14 million available for grants to communities to craft a vision for their waterfront including adopting policies and local laws to guide future activities and development identifying land and water uses;developing projects to revitalize the waterfront area, improve resiliency, and establish connections to downtowns; and develop watershedmanagement plans. Once a plan is approved, communities can apply for implementation funds for projects that support the plan.

More information about each grant program is available at: https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities. The programs are funded through the states Environmental Protection Fund.

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The Department of State Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure administers the programs along with the states Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs.

Traci DeLore: