01/14/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/14/2025 10:09
New York State Homes and Community Renewal announced that more than $27 million has been awarded to support 31 projects through Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The grants were awarded by HCR through the federal Community Development Block Grant Program. CDBG provides funds to cities, towns, villages, and counties to assist low-and-moderate-income communities, households, and people by investing in a range of community planning projects, public infrastructure improvements, and enhancements to public facilities.
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Investment in modern infrastructure and forward-thinking planning are crucial for the health and safety of our communities. This $27 million will enhance critical infrastructure in these 31 communities and reflect Governor Hochul's dedication to supporting local governments across the Empire State. We deeply appreciate our federal partners for providing this funding and extend our congratulations to the award recipients."
Funding for this program was included in Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. Applicants utilized the New York's Consolidated Funding Application, the state's single application for state resources, which includes programs for numerous agencies. It is designed to provide expedited and streamlined access to a combined pool of grant funds and tax credits from dozens of existing programs. A full list of Round XIV awards that have been made can be found here.
The financing is awarded competitively through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's Office of Community Renewal. There are 1,300 cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 that are eligible for the NYS CDBG program. Counties with populations of less than 200,000 may also apply for NYS CDBG funding. For more information on the NYS CDBG program, visit HCR's website.
Awards include 10 community planning projects, seven public facilities, and 14 public infrastructure projects:
Capital Region
Central New York
Finger Lakes
Mid-Hudson
Mohawk Valley
North Country
Southern Tier
Western New York
About the Consolidated Funding Application
The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA here.
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom-up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.