Two Steuben County communities and a Tompkins County village are recipients of New York Forward Awards. Building on the success of the DRI, NY Forward was created to invigorate and revitalize downtowns in New York’s smaller and rural communities. The Village of Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport will receive $4.5 million each as this year’s Southern Tier region NY Forward winners.
Urbana/Hammondsport plans to utilize existing assets to spur private sector investments including better access to the waterfront and public wayfinding to support additional businesses in the downtown area.
Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport have each been awarded $4.5 million in state funding and investments to revitalize their downtown neighborhoods and generate new opportunities for long-term growth following the local planning process. They join Montour Falls and Waverly, which were Southern Tier winners in the first round of NY Forward.
Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport 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.
Village of Hammondsport Mayor Jean Jensen said, “The Village of Hammondsport board, employees, and residents have a shared vision for their community. In 2023, the Village of Hammondsport was officially listed as a NY State historic district. Governor Hochul’s NY Forward will enable us to achieve the Village’s strategic goals and fulfill our vision. Proceeds from this award will enhance our efforts to maintain a vibrant and progressive municipality.”
Urbana Town Supervisor K. David Durepo said, “The Town of Urbana, along with the Village of Hammondsport are proud to be the recipients of the NY Forward Grant. This grant will help complete our Waterfront Master Plan that the Community has been working towards. It will increase the attraction of visitors, and livability of our residents.”
State Senator Tom O’Mara said, “It’s great news that Hammondsport and Urbana will receive significant state funding through the NY Forward program to revitalize the quality of their communities and to strengthen the local economies that are so vital to the future of Steuben County and our entire region. Building on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative that has been so successful for downtowns throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions I represent, the NY Forward program targets smaller, rural towns and villages for these critical, difference-making state investments.”
