More than $4.75 million in state funding is being awarded to eight counties in the Finger Lakes region to support critical infrastructure improvements. The money comes from the County Infrastructure Grant Program, which is administered by the state to assist small- and medium-sized, county-led projects.
In Seneca County, $500,000 will go toward installing a new water main along West Seneca and Main Streets in downtown Ovid. The project includes ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis systems to upgrade backup wells and ensure a reliable water source. The improved infrastructure will support redevelopment of housing and commercial space lost in a January fire, as well as a Finger Lakes Regional Land Bank project on West Seneca Street.
The city of Geneva has been awarded $1 million to double the capacity of its Marsh Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The upgrades will support the transformation of 29 Jackson Street into more than 60 units of low-income housing.
Yates County, in partnership with the Village of Penn Yan, will use its $500,000 grant to automate the Elmwood Avenue Water Treatment Plant. The project will modernize outdated equipment and add new signals, alarms, and controls to improve efficiency and reliability.
In Wayne County, $500,000 is headed to the Town of Lyons to address safety issues and accessibility challenges by removing and replacing damaged sidewalks in Central Park, improving pedestrian safety, and reinforcing the walkability and historic character of the town. The improvements will create smoother, safer pedestrian pathways that encourage foot traffic, support local businesses, and enhance the town’s overall appeal. By investing in sidewalk renovations, Lyons will preserve its role as a central gathering place, strengthen its economic and social vitality, and ensure a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
Other projects include:
- Genesee County – $1 million: The Northpointe Homes Project is set to include construction of roads, water and sewer lines, a sewer lift station, a retention pond, and connections for gas and electric. These improvements will enable the construction of 30 new homes, expanding an already vibrant neighborhood in Batavia.
- Livingston County – $256,652: This project involves the extension of a water main along Route 408 in the Village of Nunda, a primary thoroughfare leading into and through the community’s business district. These infrastructure improvements will increase water supply for several users along the line, including Once Again Nut Butter – the Village’s largest employer.
- Monroe County – $500,000: The Children’s Pavilion in Rochester’s Highland Park, constructed in 1889, was the focal point of the park, having been located at the highest point where all paths converged. Over the years the pavilion deteriorated and was demolished in 1963 due to safety concerns. Funds will be used to reconstruct the Children’s Pavilion in its original location, as a three-story open-air pavilion with an elevator and ADA improvements.
- Wyoming County – $500,000: The Route 98 North Water District will extend water infrastructure to 11 residential units, five businesses, two municipal facilities and three vacant commercial parcels. This project will connect the district to the Village of Arcade water system. This project ensures safe, reliable water by eliminating risks from poor-quality groundwater, reducing out of pocket expenses by replacing costly private treatment systems.
“I know firsthand how critical infrastructure is in order to uplift communities and bring families and loved ones together,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “From my early days on a Town Board to serving as Erie County Clerk and in Congress, I’ve seen how investments like these can breathe new life into neighborhoods, drive housing growth, support vibrant downtowns, and bring new energy to local economies. We’re putting local priorities front and center as we build a stronger New York.”
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