The Village of Brockport has been selected as a NY Forward $4.5 million award recipient in the Finger Lakes Region. The Village of Phelps also received a $4.5 million NY Forward award while the City of Canandaigua received $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).
“By investing in the future of these Finger Lakes communities, this funding will revitalize their downtown areas by building vibrant and thriving destinations where businesses, families, and visitors can flourish,” Governor Hochul said. “With our Pro-Housing Communities initiative, we’re giving local leaders the tools to transform their cities, towns and villages into hubs of opportunity, culture, and affordable living. This is how we build stronger, more connected communities that work for everyone across New York.”
“The Village of Brockport is an Erie Canal town, college town and central hub of activity for its own residents and those of other nearby small towns and villages. Brockport prioritizes living its history and bridging it to a thriving and culturally rich future in the Finger Lakes region,” the award announcement read. “The Village’s downtown focus area centers on Main Street and adjacent side streets that offer several attractions for residents and visitors. This area highlights Brockport’s historic downtown corridor, canal front parcels and portions of historic districts on the Village’s west and east sides. The Village seeks to transform its historic downtown corridor into an accessible tourist destination and a home where visitors, residents and people of all abilities can recreate, socialize, live and age in comfort.”
To receive funding from either the DRI or NY Forward program, localities must be certified under Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities Program – an innovative policy created to recognize and reward municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential and encourage others to follow suit. Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities initiative allocates up to $650 million each year in discretionary funds for communities that pledge to increase their housing supply; to date, 273 communities across New York have been certified as Pro-Housing Communities. This year, Governor Hochul is proposing an additional $110 million in funding to cover infrastructure and planning costs for Pro-Housing Communities.
In Brockport, the process was a labor of love for a team comprised of Village Hall staff, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and grant writer. This was a five-year effort, working to implement the necessary policies to make the village eligible, demonstrating community capacity, and submitting two rounds of applications. The team was instrumental in creating the updated comprehensive plan, new village code, zoning code, and pro-housing designation that made the village eligible to receive this award. The village is grateful to its community partners, stakeholders, and to all of those who provided input and ideas.
Brockport Mayor Margay Blackman said, “‘It’s all in Brockport’ became our shared vision as we dreamed of what our village could become with a NY Forward grant. The Brockport of our NY Forward dreams is one that works for all – young, old, university student, resident, visitor, tourist. The water brings people, Brockporters say, and we will invest in our waterfront to establish Brockport as the premier, inclusive recreation community on the Erie Canal. What I’m especially proud of today is that six people, including our grant writer, crafted a successful proposal, in house, in two short years.”
Brockport and the other communities that received awards 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 guide the investment of DRI and NY Forward grant funds in revitalization projects that are poised for implementation, will advance the community’s vision for their downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state’s investment.
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “With more than 25 Canal communities now among the growing roster of DRI and NY Forward awardees, I know how these important investments can jumpstart powerful change. This year, as we commemorate the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal’s completion and look forward to the opening of the Brockport Pedestrian Bridge, the timing of these awards could not be more welcomed or appropriate.”
The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all criteria before recommending these communities as nominees.
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