New York: Governor Hochul Announces $200 Million Funding Available Through Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on October 29 that $200 million is available through Round 10 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and Round 5 of NY Forward. Applications go through the state's Consolidated Funding Application Portal and are due January 8, 2027 at 4 p.m.; New York City communities must apply to their Borough President's office by December 30, 2026. An application webinar will be held November 5, 2026.
The DRI, launched in 2016 and led by the Department of State, has awarded $1 billion to 101 communities in its first nine rounds. NY Forward, aimed at smaller and rural downtowns, has awarded $340 million to 77 communities over four rounds. Together the two programs have invested $1.34 billion in 178 communities.
Under this round's structure, NY Forward offers two $4.5 million awards per region. New York City's NY Forward funding is combined with its DRI funding to allow one $20 million DRI award, and Long Island's NY Forward funding will instead form two DRI awards totaling $20 million.
Applicant communities must hold Pro-Housing Community certification, a requirement set in the FY2025 Enacted Budget. More than 460 municipalities are now certified, and certified localities have exclusive access to nearly $1 billion in state funding programs.
Hochul said downtowns are the hearts of local economies and the funding is meant to turn community plans into built projects. Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley, Empire State Development President and CEO Hope Knight, Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas and NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris joined the announcement.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 纽约州哈蒙兹波特村街景（资料图）。CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The village of Hammondsport, New York (file photo). CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
