Governor Hochul Announces Montour Falls and Waverly as Southern Tier Winners of First Round of NY Forward Program

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Villages of Montour Falls and Waverly will each receive $4.5 million in funding as the Southern Tier region winners of the first round of NY Forward. Building on the momentum of the State’s successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, 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. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns.

“Montour Falls and Waverly represent some of the best that New York State has to offer: natural beauty, a vibrant business community, thriving agriculture, and culturally rich historical sites,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to NY Forward, these communities will be able to leverage these assets and state funding to revitalize their downtowns, welcome even more workers and businesses, and transform their Main Streets into regional destinations. My administration remains committed to investing in local economies like these to give residents the jobs, the tools, and the infrastructure needed to thrive."

NY Forward is a central component of the State’s economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York’s downtowns. NY Forward serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. NY Forward communities are walkable, less dense areas that serve the immediate local community, and are more local in nature – focusing on the immediately surrounding residential or rural agricultural centric development.

Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown through a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support smaller communities that may have less capacity as part of the NY Forward program and fund projects 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 elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.

Montour Falls
Montour Falls exemplifies a genuinely remarkable convergence of natural, cultural and recreational assets with a commitment to a sustainable future. The downtown area of Montour Falls connects one of the region’s most popular and impressive waterfalls – Shequaga Falls - to a corridor of restaurants, breweries, boutiques and historically significant buildings and sites. The Village is dotted with small parks that serve as gathering places and venues for community events, and it offers unique opportunities to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region, such as the Catharine Valley Trail and the Queen Catharine Marsh trails. The Montour Falls Farmers’ Market, centrally located at Fireman’s Field, provides some of the freshest locally sourced food available, and several wineries near downtown host weekly public product markets, offering specialty foods for residents. Significant investment in infrastructure, sustainability and job growth has been made within the downtown and surrounding area, and the Village is quickly becoming a popular destination for Schuyler County residents and visitors. The Village of Montour Falls seeks to leverage its growing culture of sustainability and environmental awareness along with its historical charm, entrepreneurial spirits, friendly and walkable atmosphere and proximity to major regional employers like the New York State Fire Academy to create a vibrant downtown that maximizes its “main street” character and improves the quality of life, resiliency and economic opportunities for progressive community development to sustain a year-round innovative and prosperous economy. The Village will realize its vision by encouraging new construction to incorporate Green building principles, preserving and restoring historically significant buildings and encouraging the growth of small, locally owned businesses and increasing the number of residential options available in downtown.

Waverly
Located at the intersection of the Chemung and Susquehanna Rivers, the Village of Waverly has embraced a small-town-America way of life that allows its residents to enjoy a peaceful, yet active, lifestyle in an atmosphere of scenic natural beauty, stewarded community spaces, storied history and distinct architecture. Downtown Waverly has a great mix of independently owned boutique shops, assorted restaurants and service businesses, and hosts community events all year-round, from its Tinsel-n-Lights in the winter to its outdoor summer concert series. The Waverly Historical Society and Susquehanna River Archaeological Center offer residents and visitors alike an opportunity to learn more about the Village and region, and its natural landscape offers a myriad of outdoor recreational opportunities, from paddling and fishing to biking and hiking. The Village of Waverly’s NY Forward area encompasses its Downtown Central Business District, which is a largely intact, historic downtown comprised of mainly attached, multi-story, mixed-use buildings. The Village of Waverly seeks to leverage its friendly, engaged community, strong leadership, abundance of quality local businesses, its top-notch educational system and recreational gems such as the Waverly Glen Park, and Two Rivers State Park, to epitomize the vibrancy of small-town America. Waverly will achieve its vision of creating a more attractive downtown with a strong sense of place that attracts a variety of new businesses, grows the local tax base, provides diverse housing and job opportunities and supports the state’s decarbonization goals by transforming abandoned and underutilized buildings, creating more housing and health care opportunities and investing in greener public amenities.

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Small and rural communities are the heart and soul of the Southern Tier, and our innovative NY Forward program focuses on investing directly in these vital areas. As NY Forward award recipients, Montour Falls and Waverly will be part of our state's booming downtown resurgence and will create a community-driven plan to transform their downtowns into premier destinations that showcase their unique characteristics. Congratulations to both communities on their awards.”

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The NY Forward initiative is a focused approach to revitalizing smaller, rural communities throughout New York State. With this targeted funding, the Villages of Montour Falls and Waverly will be able to map out and envision bright futures for their downtowns, through plans designed to accelerate their vibrancy and economic growth."

Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The $4.5 million in awards from the Governor’s $100 million NY Forward program will help Montour Falls and Waverly grow according to thoughtfully developed, forward-looking strategic plans that will amplify their existing economic strengths, while honoring the natural beauty and history that help to make both villages unique.”

State Senator Tom O'Mara said, "It's great news for the communities of Montour Falls and Waverly, and for our entire region, that these NY Forward investments will allow local leaders to carry out critical revitalization projects. It's an important and difference-making initiative for the future quality and strength of our smaller and rural localities. We will look forward to the ongoing planning, development, and implementation of projects that are sure to enhance the economic, cultural, and social fabric of these outstanding area villages."

Assemblymember Christopher S. Friend said, “Congratulations to Waverly and Montour Falls as recipients of NY Forward Program funding to enable some extra planned features to enhance their already attractive and vibrant communities.”

Assemblymember Phil Palmesano said, “This is fantastic news for the Village of Montour Falls and surrounding area. The Village, located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, has been working very hard improving and upgrading the overall local infrastructure, increasing economic job opportunities, and successfully implementing environmentally sound best management practices. This NY Forward award will provide the critically necessary funding that is pivotal to their continued transformation and when completed, residents and tourists will be able to experience and enjoy the rich deep cultural history that the Village of Montour Falls has to offer. Thank you to the state, regional and local partnership and collaboration that helped make this happen.”

Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Judy McKinney Cherry, Executive Director, Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED) and Broome Community College President Kevin Drumm said, " Montour Falls and Waverly truly represent all that is good about the Southern Tier region's smaller communities and everything that they have to offer. Many thanks to Governor Hochul for recognizing the real need to help fuel the revitalization of these beautiful communities, accelerating economic opportunities for generations to come."

Chair of the Schuyler County Legislature Carl H. Blowers said, “The New York Forward award of $4.5 million for the Village of Montour Falls is an excellent investment by the State because it will transform Montour Falls and by extension, Schuyler County. We are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for creating this new mini-DRI program for small communities and look forward to assisting the Village and State in completing significant revitalization projects in the Village. I am particularly pleased with the community engagement and student involvement in the process.”

Village of Montour Falls Mayor James Ryan said, "On behalf of the Village of Montour Falls, I would like to thank Governor Hochul for her NY Forward program aimed toward communities like Montour Falls. I am pleased the Regional Economic Development Council recognizes our village's past achievements and embraced our plan to continue moving Montour Falls forward. I want to acknowledge the professionalism shown by the project team, which will ensure the implementation of project goals. This level of funding will help advance Montour Falls in meeting its economic and community betterment goals."

Chair of the Tioga County Legislative Martha Sauerbrey said, “Thank you, Governor Hochul! We are excited and grateful for the NY Forward Award for the Village of Waverly. This new opportunity will allow us to not only invest in but revitalize the Village of Waverly. It’s so important that we keep our downtowns alive, vibrant, and welcoming. Everything you want your hometown to be!”

Village of Waverly Mayor Patrick Ayres said, "The awarding of a New York Forward Grant to the Village of Waverly is transformative. These funds will allow for the community as a whole to invest in its preferred future, collectively, as a group. Potential projects, that might never be realized, have the potential to be developed and completed by the use of these grant monies. The NY Forward grant funds might also encourage additional community stakeholders to invest their own capital into projects, extending the impact of the grant. These are exciting times for the Village of Waverly and we greatly appreciate being awarded a NY Forward Grant and pledge to be good stewards of these funds."

The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered the 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 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.

Montour Falls and Waverly will now begin the process of developing Strategic Investment Plans to revitalize their downtowns. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead these efforts, 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.