Little Falls, NY – Jacob Manning, a Long Island native with a fervor for community revitalization, has stepped into the role of Little Falls’ Urban Renewal Executive Director, and he feels he is poised to ignite economic growth and restore the city’s historic charm.
With a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Farmingdale State College, Manning brings sharp business acumen and a personal stake in the community.
His journey to Little Falls began three years ago, driven by the search for affordable property beyond Long Island’s exorbitant market. “I was a banker at Rocket Mortgage, working remotely, and drew a four-hour radius from Long Island,” he said. “Utica popped up, but that deal fell through. Then I found Little Falls and fell in love with it.”
A serendipitous encounter with the former mayor at a local bar solidified his bond with the city. “I bumped into him and asked what he did. He said, ‘I’m the mayor,’” Manning recalled. “On Long Island, higher-ups wouldn’t mingle like that. It was humbling and made me think this could be home.”
Now rooted on Albany Street, Manning has invested deeply in the area, owning properties and operating businesses like a FedEx and UPS store in Dolgeville and a new FedEx location at Ilion’s Arc Mall.
His path to the director role was equally organic. “I saw the Urban Renewal Director job on the city’s Facebook page at 9 p.m. one night,” he said. “I typed up a cover letter in a frenzy and submitted it. It turned out to be successful.”
Manning’s vision for Little Falls is ambitious yet grounded, focusing on economic development, blight reduction, and tourism. “The city has so much to offer, and I really want to see it thrive,” he said.
He aims to attract new businesses, retain existing ones, and offer incentives to bolster the local economy. Blight, a pervasive issue across upstate New York, is a key target. “We want to tackle the blight that’s crept into the community,” Manning said, citing strategies like property rehabilitation and code enforcement.
Tourism is also central to his plan. Little Falls’ scenic Mohawk River, historic canal, and vibrant arts scene are underutilized assets. “We need to shine a light on what makes this city special,” he added.
Drawing inspiration from other small New York cities, Manning points to Glens Falls and other similar municipalities.
Manning’s first step is to conduct a community needs assessment, aligning his goals with the priorities of residents. “I want to get the community’s input and buy-in,” he said. “Residents are the heart of the city, so we need to be on the same page.”
He acknowledges potential dissent but emphasizes unity, noting that community-driven plans in cities like Hudson, NY, led to a 20% increase in local business revenue from 2016 to 2020 after participatory urban renewal efforts, per Empire State Development data.
As a business owner, Manning is well-versed in navigating funding landscapes. “I’ve worked with the Small Business Development Center, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Herkimer IDA, and Utica EDC,” he said. “I can guide business owners to the right resources, whether it’s a grant or gap financing.”
His experience mirrors successful urban renewal leaders in places like Cortland, NY, where public-private partnerships and small business grants increased downtown foot traffic by 25% from 2017 to 2022, according to local chamber of commerce reports.
Manning is already immersed in ongoing projects, meeting with city officials and the Urban Renewal Agency board. “My first week was busy, and I’m still getting my bearings,” he admitted. “But I’m excited to build on what’s in place and expand partnerships.”
Mayor Deborah Kaufman expressed confidence in Manning’s potential. “I knew it was going to be hard to find someone to come close to our retiring Executive Director, Mark Feane, but Jacob impressed me during the first meeting as having the potential to be a real change maker,” she said.
“His innovative vision to drive sustainable urban development through community engagement, demonstrated through strategic planning and online surveys, will ensure that the voices of our residents will help shape our city’s future.”
She highlighted his upcoming community survey, which aims to secure targeted funding to address critical needs. It could transform Little Falls in a manner similar to efforts in Batavia, NY, where a 2021 survey-led initiative unlocked $5.5 million in state funding for infrastructure and housing.
With boundless enthusiasm and a track record of action, Manning is ready to lead Little Falls toward a renaissance. “I’m thrilled to sink my teeth into this and bring the city back to its former glory,” he said, echoing the optimism that fueled revitalizations in peer cities across the state.
For more information on urban renewal efforts, contact Manning at the Little Falls Urban Renewal Agency via email or call 315-574-5249.