December 7, 2021
Albany, NY

Governor Hochul Announces Oneida as One of the $10 Million Central New York Winners of Fifth-Round Downtown Revitalization Initiative

State to Work With Residents, Community Leaders and Public Officials to Revitalize Oneida's Downtown

Downtown Revitalization Investments are Crucial Part of the State's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Oneida will receive $10 million in funding as one of the Central New York 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.

"Our Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a critical tool to help businesses and communities in every corner of the state recover from the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "This much needed economic development funding will give downtown Oneida the boost that it needs to bring in new economic investment to the area. I look forward to seeing how this investment in our local economic development efforts will continue to create new jobs and transform communities across the state."

Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin said, "The State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative is a critical tool that will help communities across New York achieve more vibrant neighborhoods and boost the post COVID-19 economy. Congratulations to Oneida on winning this $10 million in funding — the best is yet to come!"

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.

Oneida
As the only city in Madison County, downtown Oneida is a 250-acre historic, dense, and walkable section of the city with a mix of commercial, professional, residential, and industrial uses. The city aims to energize connections, such as between their strong arts communities and their nationally-designated historic districts, to enhance cultural and entertainment activities and strengthen the local economy. With multiple completed and ongoing projects, including a new modern public library, upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, and new trail connections, and a surge in job growth, Oneida wants to continue the momentum by improving their parks and infrastructure and creating new mixed-use spaces.

The Central New York 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 Oneida 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.

Oneida now joins the cities of Oswego, Cortland, Auburn and Fulton, which were the Central New York Region's winners in the first four DRI rounds, respectively.

Oneida 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 complete in 2022.

Acting Secretary of State Brendan C. Hughes said, "The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is not just about helping New York's largest cities. New York is home to many unique downtowns in more rural areas like Oneida, and this award will help strengthen its local economy by highlighting its strong history and arts scene. The Department of State looks forward to working with the City to broaden the State's impact in ways that leverage private investments to create new mixed-use developments and recreational assets that will benefit the entire region."

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative is transforming downtowns across the state by working with the community to develop strategic plans and implement catalytic projects. Oneida's plan to transform its downtown is deserving of this $10 million award. It will boost redevelopment efforts in mixed-use spaces, energize connections and bring people into the city core, effectively breathing new life into this centrally located and historic community."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "The DRI program is an outstanding catalyst for locally driven, targeted economic development that is bringing new life and investment back to our main streets. Oneida is one of New York's great upstate cities and we are proud to join Governor Hochul in this announcement and to continue to work alongside our local partners in seeing these projects through. This $10 million investment speaks to our commitment to keep the good work going in Madison County and the rest of the Central New York region."

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Congratulations to Oneida on this recognition and support through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. NYSERDA looks forward to providing technical support as they seek to include carbon neutral principles into their plan for revitalizing their downtown so that it is greener and cleaner while delivering new economic development opportunities for the area."

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton said, "Governor Hochul knows the key to effective downtown revitalization is a strong partnership between local government and the State. The City of Oneida has clearly demonstrated a commitment to ensuring this proud 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 Oneida joins nearly 20 other communities along the Canal corridor in revitalizing their core downtown area for future generations."

State Senator Rachel May, "It is extremely exciting news that the City of Oneida has been selected to receive funding from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Reinvigorating our Main Streets helps to create jobs, retain residents, improve business opportunities, and increase the quality of life for everyone. It will be wonderful to see projects come to fruition that build an even more vibrant and engaging downtown space. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the Regional Economic Development Council for selecting Oneida."

Assemblymember John Salka, "Economic development is the cornerstone of a successful upstate economy; I wish to thank the taxpayers of the State of New York and the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul in announcing that the City of Oneida will receive 10 million dollars through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, giving the City the ability to bolster economic growth within the region. Congratulations Mayor Acker and the City of Oneida!"

Oneida Mayor Helen Acker said, "The City of Oneida has already completed a variety of projects in the historic downtown and we have many more currently in different stages of development. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding will jump start additional private sector projects that are ready to implement immediately upon the award of funds. These projects will have a catalytic impact on our downtown, through strategic investments in the arts and culture sector, restoration and improvements in our downtown historic anchor buildings, business assistance programs, new retail and service businesses, diversity in upper floor housing options, and new job opportunities created within each sector. On behalf of the City of Oneida, we thank you for the opportunity that New York State's DRI funding program presents, and assure you that Oneida is poised to transform our downtown into a more vibrant, livable area that will grow our economy locally and within the larger Central New York region."

Central New York Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Randy Wolken, President & CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), and Deborah Stanley, President of the State University of New York at Oswego said, "The CNYREDC is incredibly proud to support the city of Oneida with its exciting futures. This community driven strategic plan will benefit both residents and visitors alike. The $10 million in DRI funding will help to fuel an array of targeted, transformative projects, promoting economic growth and creating vibrant downtown area in this wonderful community where people will want to live, work, and play."

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.

Contact the Governor's Press Office

Contact us by phone:

Albany: (518) 474-8418
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