Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that $200 million is available for the fifth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. DRI Round 5 will provide these funds to communities across the 10 Regional Economic Development Council regions to bring new life to their downtowns through a comprehensive strategic planning process, followed by the implementation of key projects. The fifth round is being launched as New York State rebuilds its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re marking the Downtown Revitalization Initiative’s fifth year by doubling down on our commitment to help reimagine communities across the state, especially as we prepare for a post-pandemic future,” Governor Cuomo said. “The DRI is a cornerstone of New York’s comprehensive economic development strategy to drive investment and job creation in downtowns across the state. Our investments will support new and existing businesses, drive new mixed-use developments and bolster the arts and cultural venues to help attract residents and visitors for years to come.”

As is the case with past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan 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. 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.

The City of Little Falls intends to submit an application prior to the September 15th deadline for this year’s application. Planners and grant writers have initiated the process of identifying projects, establishing DRI boundaries, and completing initial application requirements based on previous year applications from others who have won the grant.

According to the City’s Mayor, Mark Blask, “The DRI grant would be a real game-changer for the City and catapult us forward with a much-needed infusion of capital for projects that have been percolating for several years.”

The proposed DRI application will reconnect the Downtown Waterfront District from Main Street to Canal Place with infrastructure, public/private, and arts & cultural projects. The theme of the DRI application is “Rethink, Rebuild, and Reconnect the Heart of the City.”

“It’s time to ramp up the City’s pace of activities, including public input on identified projects, to meet this new deadline,” added Blask.

The completed application will go through a review process with the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council (MVREC) to select one application from the region to be submitted to the state. Past DRI winners from the Mohawk Valley region include Utica in Round Four, Amsterdam in Round Three, Rome in Round Two, and Oneonta in Round One.

Small cities across the state have also been chosen as DRI winners since the program’s inception including Watkins Glen in Round Two with a population of 2,149, Penn Yan in Round Three with a population of 5,219, Oswego in Round Three with a population of 3,911, and Saranac Lake, also in Round Three, with a population of 5,406.

The City’s application will be submitted with a $10 million award in mind but may indicate that they would also like to be considered for a $20 million award. Applicants that indicate interest in being considered for a $20 million award must respond to supplemental application questions in which they describe and confirm specific transformative or catalytic DRI projects and demonstrate the readiness of those projects and local capacity to manage the full $20 million in DRI funds.

To fill out a survey, find the required forms, or just read about the project, please visit www.littlefallsdri.com

A public meeting has been scheduled for August 18, 2021, at 7 pm at the Travelodge. A presentation and more information will be available at that time. If you cannot attend, the meeting will be broadcast via Zoom:

Zoom Meeting Information:

Topic: DRI – Community Meeting
Time: Aug 18, 2021, 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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About Little Falls, NY

The City of Little Falls was incorporated in 1895 and is currently the only City in Herkimer County, New York. With a population just under 5,000, the City offers many amenities typically found in larger cities, including a hospital, full-time police and fire departments, movie theater, lodging, restaurants, shopping, and waterfront recreational activities. The picturesque Mohawk River, with its 45 feet drop in less than a mile, forms numerous cascades through the center of the City. The Erie Canal runs parallel to the river, with its famous Lock 17 and Canal Harbor recreational area. Other visitor attractions include rock climbing at Moss Island, bicycle tours along the Empire State Trail, and numerous festivals, bringing thousands of visitors to the City each year for the Cheese Festival, Garlic Festival, Canal Celebration, and Bluegrass Festival. For more information about Little Falls, visit www.thisislittlefalls.com.

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

In 2016, Governor Cuomo launched a major new initiative—the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Through this initiative, the Governor moved to aggressively accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment in all 10 regions of the state. The initiative represents an unprecedented and innovative plan-to-act strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation.

In the first four years of the program, the state has 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. 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 to advance the community’s vision for revitalization.

The initiative is headed by New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. 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 New York State Homes and Community Renewal.