Governor Hochul Announces Mid-Hudson Region Winners of Seventh Round of Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Second Round of NY Forward Program

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that White Plains will receive $10 million in funding as the Mid-Hudson Region winner of the seventh round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, as well as Highland Falls and Montgomery as this year’s Mid-Hudson Region NY Forward winners, receiving $4.5 million each. For Round 7 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, 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.

“Local communities’ downtowns are part of what makes New York State vibrant and great,” Governor Hochul said. “These initiatives not only provide communities with the necessary funding to revitalize their downtowns, but also helps them feel seen and heard by the state. Helping uplift the areas around the Hudson River will drive tourists in and make residents excited about where they live.”

Building on the momentum of the successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same "Plan-then-Act" strategy as the DRI, which couples strategic planning with immediate project implementation to support a more equitable downtown resurgence for New York's smaller and rural communities.

With the Governor’s commitment last year of $100 million each for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, the State has now invested a combined total of $1 billion in both programs since their inception. The Governor has proposed another $100 million for each program, totaling $200 million, in her Fiscal Year 2025 Executive Budget.

$10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award for White Plains

The City of White Plains DRI application—entitled, “The Heart of White Plains”—focuses on the City’s traditional urban core, which is considered a walker’s paradise, having achieved a walk score of 98 out of 100. The area is home to numerous multi-family developments, the soon to be redeveloped Galleria and City Center shopping malls, a thriving restaurant row and hospitality center and the busiest Metro North train station in the lower Hudson Valley.

White Plains has made a commitment to addressing the current housing crisis in its application and has been named a Pro-Housing community. Projects identified by the community focus on green affordable housing, community gathering centers, safe and accessible pedestrian and bike infrastructure and interconnectivity between the downtown and an adjacent low-/moderate income neighborhood.

White Plains 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. They join Middletown, Kingston, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Haverstraw, Ossining and Port Jervis, which were Mid-Hudson winners in the first six rounds of the DRI.

White Plains 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 Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities to 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 communities’ vision for their downtowns and that can leverage and expand upon the state's $10 million investment. Plans for the DRI's seventh round will be complete in 2024.

$4.5 Million NY Forward Awards for Highland Falls and Montgomery

The Village of Highland Falls has been identified in Orange County’s most recent comprehensive plan as a priority growth area, which makes it an ideal location for downtown revitalization. The Village’s application will build on and expand past incremental downtown improvements, particularly those that have supported its 2020 Local Waterfront Revitalization Strategy. Projects identified include multi-modal improvements to enhance traffic flow and safety, main street façade renovations, branding and marketing and expanded access to the waterfront.

The Village of Montgomery is a quaint historic village with a strong sense of community and a picturesque location along the Wallkill River. The NY Forward downtown area is compact and walkable, containing a high concentration of historic buildings, businesses and civic and cultural amenities. Projects identified will improve connectivity among the Village’s downtown parks and green spaces, improve streetscape safety and walkability, preserve historic structures, enhance the gateways into the community and improve wayfinding, signage and branding.

Highland Falls and Montgomery have each been awarded $4.5 million in state funding and investments to revitalize their downtown neighborhoods and generate new opportunities for long-term growth following the local planning process. They join Sleepy Hollow and Cornwall/Cornwall-on-Hudson, which were Mid-Hudson winners in the first round of NY Forward.

Highland Falls and Montgomery will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns. 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 to identify projects that align with each community's vision and that are poised for implementation. Funding will be awarded for selected projects from the Strategic Investment Plan that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.

New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Downtowns throughout New York State are bustling with anticipation at the changes on the horizon, thanks to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward. The awards to White Plains, Highland Falls and Montgomery will launch an exciting and irreversible road to reinvigorating these communities. The energy that these awards create is palpable, the results are measurable, and the outcomes are transformative.”

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “From White Plains to Highland Falls and Montgomery, these DRI and NY Forward awards recognize downtowns as the heart of their communities and will support smart growth for many years to come. The winning applications envision plans for transformative improvements in connectivity and flow, more accessible waterfronts and innovative approaches to creating vibrant spaces and places that will attract visitors and businesses and promote economic success.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Today's DRI and NY Forward awards in the Mid-Hudson region will help create transit-oriented housing in downtown White Plains and will breathe new life into the villages of Highland Falls and Montgomery with streetscape improvements and increased walkability. Enhancements like these can unlock the potential for additional private investment and economic growth. These awards are only the latest example of Governor Hochul's continued focus on strengthening New York’s communities by directing resources to downtown districts and making our state a more affordable place to live.”

Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Dr. Marsha Gordon, President & CEO of The Business Council of Westchester and Dr. Kristine Young, President of SUNY Orange said, “While we are already proud of everything these three winning applicants have to offer, DRI and NY Forward funding will help make White Plains, Highland Falls and Montgomery even more attractive to people who want to live, work or visit the Mid-Hudson region. By fueling game-changing plans and providing resources for these municipalities to grow, these program awards will breathe new life into these communities and foster a vibrant future for all.”

State Senator Rob Rolison said, "This $4.5 million investment will strengthen the Village of Montgomery's vision for its downtown and help the locality utilize existing assets in creative new ways. Congratulations to former Mayor Steve Brescia and his team on earning this important funding, and thank you to Governor Hochul for her commitment to downtown-revitalization investments in the Hudson Valley."

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am tremendously pleased that White Plains will receive $10 million from the seventh round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. White Plains is a diverse and lively urban community, where residents express their civic pride and community engagement in a remarkable and ongoing manner. This investment will provide critical funding to advance the city's plans to support economic growth and housing development, including affordable housing, while making the downtown even more vibrant. I am proud to represent this very special City and thank the Governor for her commitment to its continued growth.”

State Senator James Skoufis said, “Highland Falls is a beautiful, historic village with wonderful local business and restaurants, incredible people, and a beautiful view of the Hudson River. It is also a place that has faced adversity recently and will truly benefit from the momentum and support that will come with the NY Forward grant. The Highland Falls community is strong, and will only grow stronger as they see the safety of their streets improve, their Main Street brighten, and their waterfront made more accessible to residents and visitors alike. I am truly looking forward to the exciting new opportunities and projects funded by this grant."

Assemblymember Chris Eachus said, “I am immensely proud to see the Village of Highland Falls acknowledged as recipients of the NY Forward Program. The community experienced the devastating impact of the once-in-a-thousand-year historic storm last year, which inflicted millions of dollars in damages and took the life of a resident. With the US Military Academy at West Point, Storm King Art Center, and the Woodbury Common nearby, the village is positioned as a premier destination in NYS. This revitalization investment underscores the state's dedication to cultivating dynamic and sustainable neighborhoods, and its recognition of the massive potential Highland Falls has to be an economic engine of the Hudson Valley. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support of the NY Forward Grant, and for her impactful investments into Orange County.”

Assemblymember Chris Burdick said, "Congratulations to the City of White Plains for being awarded $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. White Plains, truly the hub of Westchester County, has done a remarkable job keeping itself modern, accessible, and an all-around wonderful place to live. I could not be more pleased and grateful to Governor Hochul for this $10 million in funding for the further revitalization of the City's downtown. These funds will allow White Plains to continue on its successful trajectory, providing it with the opportunity to develop additional and crucially-needed affordable housing, and to make the City even more accessible for riders and pedestrians. This funding will ensure that White Plains can continue to thrive in the years and decades to come."

Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “I’m thrilled that White Plains will receive $10 million in funding as the Mid-Hudson Region winner of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. White Plains has such a welcoming, environmentally-friendly and inclusive downtown, and has consistently excelled in increasing housing, growing transportation opportunities and supporting a diversity of businesses. With the closing of the Galleria Mall and other recent changes, downtown White Plains is at a key time to continue building upon their successful development and high quality of life for residents. I congratulate them on winning this substantial funding and look forward to seeing their plans come to fruition.”

Assemblymember Brian Maher said, “As the former Supervisor of the Town of Montgomery I had the honor of working with countless local stakeholders to build on the great work being done in the Town and Village of Montgomery. Being able to support this application as a member of the State Assembly and advocating for this funding has been a long and arduous effort. This funding will have a profound impact on the Village and Town of Montgomery, as well as Orange County and the greater Hudson Valley community. I look forward to working with Town Supervisor Steve Brescia, the Village of Montgomery and other local stakeholders to assist in their strategic planning and implementation. It is a memorable and beautiful day for the greater Montgomery community.”

The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all criteria below before recommending these communities as 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;
• 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 Strategic Investment Plan;
• The municipality has identified transformative projects that will be ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of DRI or NY Forward funds; and
• The municipality has the local capacity to manage the planning process and implementation of projects, including the ability to oversee contracts for awarded municipal projects.

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created 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 with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State's bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

In the first six years of the program, the state committed $700 million in 69 downtowns that are ripe for revitalization and tat have the potential to become magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation and greater economic and housing diversity and opportunity. 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 $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. Information on the DRI is available here.

About the NY Forward Program

NY Forward is a central component of the State's economic development policy. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges. Both programs are creating a critical mass of vibrant downtowns in every region of the State that is enhancing economic development, quality of life and socio-economic diversity.

Once awarded, NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by the DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities.

The Strategic Investment Plans and projects are driven by a Local Planning Committee, which conducts extensive community outreach and engagement. The Department of State also provides expansive technical assistance and capacity-building webinars — featuring staff, experts and peers from DRI communities —which are geared toward supporting communities that may have less resources and capacity than larger, more urban communities.