Governor Hochul Announces Gloversville as One of the $10 Million Mohawk Valley Winners of Fifth-Round Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Gloversville will receive $10 million in funding as one of the Mohawk Valley region winners of the fifth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). As part of DRI Round 5, each of the state's 10 regional economic development regions are being awarded $20 million, to make 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.

"Thriving downtowns play an essential role in strengthening regional economies, which makes it critical we continue to support our local partners in their efforts to redevelop and reimagine those areas in their own communities," Governor Hochul said. "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is one of our best tools for this type of economic development, and in Gloversville, it will deliver the resources the city needs to not only help businesses grow, but improve the quality of life for all those who live and work there."

Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin said, "As we continue to build back from COVID-19, the State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a critical tool that will help communities across New York State recover. Congratulations to Gloversville on winning this $10 million in funding that will help the community achieve more vibrant neighborhoods and boost their post COVID-19 economy."

Led by the Department of State, the DRI serves as a cornerstone of the State's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that offer a high quality of life and attract redevelopment, businesses, jobs, and economic and housing diversity. In this round, Governor Hochul doubled funding from $100 million to $200 million and allowed each Regional Economic Development Council to decide whether to nominate two $10 million awardees or one $20 million awardee for transformative and catalytic downtown redevelopment projects. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identifies a list of signature projects that have the potential to transform the downtown and leverage further private and public investments. DRI funds will then be awarded for selected projects that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and realize the community's vision for the downtown. Through the DRI, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide technical support to the awardees to assist them with including carbon neutral principles in support of the state's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050.

Gloversville

The Gloversville DRI area includes the core downtown, with the majority of the retail and commercial businesses and the densest neighborhoods located within the city. Even though the city is classified as a disadvantaged community, they have remained committed to revitalization with a number of completed and ongoing projects, including restoration of the public library, mixed-use redevelopment projects, and city sewer upgrades. The city plans to continue the momentum with a focus on creating housing and arts and entertainment opportunities and increasing connectivity between the downtown and the Cayadutta Creek.

The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all seven criteria below before recommending Gloversville as one of the nominees:

• The downtown should be compact, with well-defined boundaries;
• The downtown is able to capitalize on prior or catalyze future private and public investment in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas;
• There should be recent or impending job growth within, or in close proximity to the downtown that can attract workers to the downtown, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;
• The downtown must be an attractive and livable community for diverse populations of all ages, income, gender, identity, ability, mobility and cultural background;
• The municipality should already embrace or have the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life, including the use of local land banks, modern zoning codes and parking standards, complete streets plans, energy efficient projects, green jobs, and transit-oriented development;
• The municipality should have conducted an open and robust community engagement process resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives that may be included in a DRI strategic investment plan;
• The municipality has the local capacity to manage the DRI process; and
• The municipality has identified transformative projects that will be ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of DRI funds.

Gloversville now joins Oneonta, Rome, Amsterdam and Utica, which were the Mohawk Valley Region's winners in the first four DRI rounds, respectively.

Gloversville 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 the 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 complete in 2022.

Acting Secretary of State Brendan C. Hughes said, "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is helping to transform downtowns across the state through an approach that is tailored to the needs of each community. Gloversville is the latest community to benefit from this program, and the Glove City will capitalize on its strategic location as a gateway to the Adirondacks to attract visitors to its downtown. The Department of State looks forward to working with the city to develop a strategic plan that will leverage private investments and create new opportunities right here in the Mohawk Valley."

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "This DRI award will help Gloversville continue its commitment to transforming the downtown district. We have seen how New York State's strategic placemaking investments in arts, infrastructure and waterfront access can support economic growth by creating communities where people want to live, work and play."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "The DRI program is driving the renovation and restoration of important downtown resources in every region of the state. Gloversville is set to put this $10 million investment to work for its residents and to activate its historic downtown with commerce and new visitors. Thanks to Governor Hochul and our visionary local leaders in Gloversville, we'll keep the momentum building in the Mohawk Valley."

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "As Gloversville continues its efforts to revitalize its downtown area, NYSERDA is happy to provide technical assistance and support to incorporate carbon neutral performance considerations in this planning process. The trifecta of housing, arts and entertainment and connection to nature will benefit the community and Mohawk Valley area while reducing climate change causing emissions from all three sectors."

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, "Governor Hochul knows the key to effective downtown revitalization is a strong partnership between local government and the State. The City of Gloversville has clearly demonstrated a commitment to ensuring this Mohawk Valley community continues to prosper through the State's strategic investment we announce today. For nearly 200 years, the Erie Canal has been a driver of economic development across upstate New York, and the City of Gloversville joins other communities along the greater Canal corridor in revitalizing their downtown for future generations."

Senator Jim Tedisco said, "I was proud to support this $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant for Gloversville that will have a transformative impact on the city and Fulton County. I want to thank Governor Hochul for selecting Gloversville for this revitalization grant that will enhance the quality of life for residents and be a booster for the city's economy."

Assemblymember Robert Smullen said, "I'm glad to see Gloversville receive resources returned for downtown renovations and revitalization. Gloversville has a long history of community ties and strong community pride, so to see that persistence rewarded with a large investment from the state is exciting. I look forward to tracking the development of this project and seeing the final results."

Gloversville Mayor Vincent DeSantis said, "This award is especially significant for Gloversville at this point in time. Since 2016 when this initiative was first announced, Gloversville has been building a strong foundation for its revitalization. We have not only been refining our strategy for downtown, but have actually completed several key projects with more in in the pipeline. We have also launched initiatives to improve our neighborhoods, parks and greenspaces and establish walkable, cyclable connections to downtown. This award will be the sparkplug that ignites not only the revitalization of downtown but the rebirth of the entire city. We are enormously grateful to Governor Hochul for this honor."

MVREDC Co-Chairs Lawrence T. Gilroy III, President of Gilroy, Kernan & Gilroy, Inc. and Dr. Marion Terenzio, SUNY Cobleskill President said, "The DRI creates plans for communities based on local knowledge and expertise. The MVREDC is proud to see those plans coming together with this award, as Gloversville continues to provide concrete strategies designed to transform the community."

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative launched in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State, the initiative represents an unprecedented and innovative plan-to-act strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation, bringing with it an interagency team of state experts to support local government capacity in realizing their community's vision.

In the first four years of the program, the state committed $400 million to invest in downtowns that are ripe for revitalization and have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, greater economic and housing diversity, and opportunity. The fifth round of the DRI will have an additional $200 million commitment. Participating communities are nominated by the state's 10 Regional Economic Development Councils based on the downtown's potential for transformation. Each community is awarded at least $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community's vision for revitalization and leverage additional private and public investments.

Downtown redevelopment plays a critical role in the State's nation-leading efforts to support sustainable economic development, reverse climate change, and promote climate justice by creating walkable, bikeable and transit-accessible communities that significantly reduce automobile use and greenhouse gas emissions. The DRI also supports the State's Health Across All Policies/Age-Friendly NY initiative by creating more opportunities for outside recreation and exercise; offering safe, accessible public spaces for social interaction, which improves mental health; and expanding access to fresh, nutritious food, particularly in underserved communities.

The initiative is headed by New York State Department of State. Communities receive support from private sector experts and a team of state agency staff led by the Department of State in close partnership with Empire State Development, and state Homes and Community Renewal.