Last July, Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented the City of Middletown in Orange County with a $10-million downtown revitalization award.

ALBANY—New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that the second round of the state's $100-million downtown revitalization awards initiative has begun.

The competition will eventually result in 10 downtown districts in the state receiving $10 million awards each for revitalization initiatives. One downtown market in each of the state's 10 Regional Economic Development Council markets will be selected later this year.

The respective REDCs will solicit applications for 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, state officials note Applications for the second round must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.

“This new downtown revitalization competition will build upon the demonstrated success of Round I, allowing even more communities across the state to reach their full potential,” Gov. Cuomo says. “With this funding, we can provide 10 more forward-thinking communities the opportunity to transform their downtowns into vibrant economic hubs for people to live, work and raise a family.”

Last year's $10-million downtown revitalization award winners were: the City of Jamestown in Western New York; the City of Geneva in the Finger Lakes; the City of Elmira in the Southern Tier; the City of Oswego in Central New York; the City of Oneonta in the Mohawk Valley; the City of Plattsburgh in the North Country; the City of Glens Falls in the Capital Region; the City of Middletown in the Mid-Hudson; Jamaica in Queens and the City of Westbury on Long Island.

For round two, each Regional Council will weigh eight criteria to select its downtown nominee. Among some of the key criteria areas include that 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 and that it must be an attractive and livable community for diverse populations of all ages, including existing residents, Millennials and skilled workers.

ALBANY—New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that the second round of the state's $100-million downtown revitalization awards initiative has begun.

Instant Insights /

Downtowns Compete for $10M Revitalization Awards

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