White Plains Granted $10 Million in Downtown Revitalization Funding by New York State
WHITE PLAINS—At a press conference this morning here, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the City of White Plains is this year’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative Mid-Hudson Region honoree and will receive $10 million in economic development funding.
In addition, the governor reported that two Orange County communities—the villages of Highland Falls and Montgomery—$4.5 million each from the $100-million NY Forward program.
“Local communities’ downtowns are part of what makes New York State vibrant and great,” Gov. 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.”
The governor during the press conference listed some of the major components of her proposed state budget, including funding for crime, infrastructure and education.
She also noted that the City of White Plains was one of 20 communities that were certified statewide earlier this week as “Pro-Housing Communities” and therefore eligible for a portion of $650 million in state discretionary funding.
The City of White Plains joins 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 the community's vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation. Plans for the DRI's seventh round will be complete in 2024.
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, of the funding awards: “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.”
The governor noted the tremendous damage caused by rainstorms to the Village of Highland Falls in early July last year and recalled that she walked the streets of the village with local officials to survey the significant destruction caused by the flood waters. The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors applied for and received grant funding from the Realtors Relief Foundation to assist homeowners and renters in Highland Falls and other communities in the lower Hudson Valley region in the aftermath of the storm. As of December 2023, the Realtor Relief Foundation handed out $356,079 to 209 households throughout Orange, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Rockland counties.
Under the NY Forward program, 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, state officials said.
The Orange County Partnership of Goshen released a statement in regards to the New York Forward awards to Highland Falls and Montgomery.
“Since the Mid-Hudson Regional Council's inception, I've been proud to serve and play a key role in securing game-changing investments for the Hudson Valley. The Village of Highland Falls has been competing for state funding for years and is finally recognized for the good work and the good planning that they are doing. This is a wonderful victory for both the Village of Highland Falls and the Village of Montgomery. It's an honor to contribute to our region's growth and success,” said Maureen Halahan, President and CEO of the Orange County Partnership.
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.
