Governor Hochul Announces Mid-Hudson Winners of Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Program

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Yonkers will receive $10 million in funding as the Mid-Hudson winner of the ninth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), and the Village of Ellenville and the Hamlet of Livingston Manor in the Town of Rockland will each receive $4.5 million as the Mid-Hudson winners of the fourth round of NY Forward. For Round 9 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Round 4 of the NY Forward Program, each of the State's 10 economic development regions is being awarded $10 million from each program, for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods. To date, total investments in the DRI and NY Forward have reached $1.4 billion.

"The winners of the Mid-Hudson DRI and NY Forward awards are incredible communities that have demonstrated their commitment to expanding housing and job opportunities," Governor Hochul said. "Yonkers, Ellenville and Rockland are all unique, vibrant hubs of economic activity and culture. Their proximity to New York City as well as many natural wonders gives residents and visitors a taste of all our great state has to offer."

To receive funding from either the DRI or NY Forward program, localities must be certified under Governor Hochul's Pro-Housing Communities Program, which recognizes and rewards municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential and encourages others to follow suit. After becoming certified, localities have exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary state funding, including DRI and NY Forward. Since the launch of the Pro-Housing Communities Program, funds awarded to Pro-Housing Communities throughout the state have supported up to 20,000 more homes. To date, more than 420 communities across New York have been certified.

Many of the projects funded through the DRI and NY Forward support Governor Hochul's affordability agenda. The DRI has invested in the creation of more than 5,000 units of housing - more than 2,000 of which (40 percent) are affordable or workforce housing. The programs committed $9 million to 12 projects that provide affordable or free childcare and childcare worker training. The DRI and NY Forward have also invested in the creation of public parks, public art - such as murals and sculptures - and art, music and cultural venues that provide free outdoor recreation and entertainment opportunities.

$10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award for Yonkers

Situated along the east bank of the Hudson River just north of New York City, Yonkers is defined by innovation and reinvention, from its early days as an industrial powerhouse to its modern resurgence as a center of creativity and economic opportunity. Once separated from the river by industrial sites and highway barriers, the City began reclaiming its waterfront with the daylighting of the Saw Mill River, which restored natural habitats and created new public green spaces in the heart of downtown. Today, cranes rise where factories once stood, as housing, businesses and cultural attractions reshape the skyline. Anchors such as the Great Point Studios and its partnership with Lionsgate have helped establish Yonkers as a growing hub for film and media production, earning the City the nickname "Hollywood on the Hudson." New mixed-use developments and waterfront public spaces are attracting residents, visitors and creative industries while expanding housing opportunities and supporting local businesses. Through its DRI vision, the City will further reconnect downtown neighborhoods with the Hudson River through expanded public access, walkable streetscapes and new cultural and recreational destinations. By building upon decades of environmental restoration, infrastructure investment and community collaboration, Yonkers is completing its evolution into a dynamic, inclusive river city where economic opportunity and quality of life continue to grow.

$4.5 Million NY Forward Award for Ellenville

Tucked into the scenic upper Rondout Valley between the Catskill Mountains and the Shawangunk Ridge, the Village of Ellenville continues to be shaped by both industry and tourism. Its early prosperity was tied to the Delaware and Hudson Canal, while later generations welcomed visitors during the famed Borscht Belt era. Today, the Village is channeling that legacy into a revitalized downtown centered on Canal, Center and Market streets, an area rich in historic architecture, cultural institutions and walkable small-town character. Shadowland Stages and the emerging Borscht Belt Museum highlight the Village's growing arts and cultural scene. NY Forward investments will help activate vacant properties, expand mixed-use housing, improve public spaces and strengthen connections to regional trails and outdoor recreation. With new economic momentum from healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality and nearby redevelopment projects, Ellenville is positioning its downtown as the commercial and cultural hub for the surrounding tri-county region. Guided by community input and a commitment to preserving affordability and diversity, the Village is working to ensure that its next chapter builds on the resilience, creativity and pride that have long defined Ellenville.

$4.5 Million NY Forward Award for Livingston Manor, Town of Rockland

At the confluence of the Willowemoc Creek and Little Beaverkill, Livingston Manor in the Town of Rockland has long been known as one of the birthplaces of American fly-fishing and a gateway to the natural beauty of the region. Once sustained by logging, tanning and the Catskills' famed resort industry, the community has reinvented itself in recent years as a destination for arts, outdoor recreation and small business innovation. Today, Livingston Manor's walkable Main Street corridor blends historic storefronts with designer boutiques, galleries, craft breweries and farm-to-table restaurants that attract visitors from across the region. Over the past decade, more than $38 million in public and private investment has helped spark a new chapter of revitalization while preserving the character that makes the Hamlet unique. Local entrepreneurs from all walks of life have transformed once-vacant spaces into thriving enterprises that support a growing year-round economy. Through NY Forward, Livingston Manor looks to build on this momentum by investing in housing, infrastructure and public spaces that strengthen its walkable downtown and support sustainable growth. Guided by strong community input and a deep respect for its natural surroundings, the Town of Rockland is poised to ensure that Livingston Manor's revival remains creative, inclusive and distinctly Catskills.

The City of Yonkers joins Poughkeepsie, White Plains, Port Jervis, Haverstraw, Peekskill, New Rochelle, Kingston and Middletown as winners of the DRI for Mid-Hudson, while the Hamlet of Livingston Manor in the Town of Rockland and Village of Ellenville join Nyack, Dobbs Ferry, Highland Falls, Montgomery, Sleepy Hollow, Cornwall and Cornwall-on-Hudson as NY Forward winners for Mid-Hudson.

U.S. Representative George Latimer said, "This funding marks a significant step toward the revitalization of the City of Yonkers waterfront, ensuring that it remains dynamic and accessible. Investing in this community will create new opportunities for small businesses, grow the housing stock, and strengthen local industries. I am grateful for Governor Hochul's continued support as we work together to deliver for our growing communities."

New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, "Over the last eight rounds of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and three rounds of NY Forward, we have seen proof that investing in downtown communities leads to both economic growth and better quality of life for residents. In this latest round of funding, Yonkers, Ellenville and Livingston Manor will now have the opportunity to hand select projects for funding that will make the changes in their downtowns that their residents need. The future is bright for all three of these communities, and we look forward to seeing their visions become a reality!"

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward continue to deliver real results in communities across the Mid-Hudson Region and throughout the state. These investments will help Yonkers, Ellenville and Livingston Manor advance housing, support small businesses, enhance public spaces, and foster the kind of vibrant growth in their urban cores that attracts residents and visitors, and drives long-term economic sustainability."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, we are helping communities across the Mid-Hudson region turn bold local visions into real, lasting progress. In Yonkers, Ellenville and Livingston Manor, this $19 million investment will unlock new opportunities to create housing, support small businesses and strengthen vibrant downtowns that connect current and future residents to jobs, culture and the natural environment. By linking these resources to our Pro-Housing Communities Program, we are ensuring that growth goes hand in hand with expanding housing supply and affordability. Together, these efforts are building stronger, more resilient communities where people can live, work and thrive for generations to come."

Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Dr. Marsha Gordon and Dr. Kristine Young said, "Yonkers, Ellenville and Livingston Manor each brought forward bold, community-driven visions rooted in their own distinct character and potential. Whether along the Hudson waterfront, in the Rondout Valley or in the heart of the Catskills, these communities are ready to build on existing momentum and write their next chapter of growth. The MHREDC is proud to support their success."

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "I am thrilled that Yonkers has been awarded $10 million through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. These investments demonstrate New York's continued commitment to supporting downtowns as engines of economic growth, housing, and opportunity. I am proud that the State Legislature prioritizes programs like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, and I thank Governor Hochul for her partnership in delivering these critical investments to Yonkers and municipalities across our great state. I congratulate the Village of Ellenville and the Hamlet of Livingston Manor on receiving NY Forward awards that will help strengthen their communities as well."

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, "I am very pleased that the City of Yonkers has been selected to receive $10 million through the ninth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. This investment will help Yonkers continue the important work of strengthening its downtown, supporting local businesses and creating vibrant public spaces while building a stronger connection with the waterfront along the Hudson River. As a proud Yonkers resident, I am confident this DRI funding will build upon the smart development of downtown Yonkers and will support Yonkers' dominant role in the downstate economy."

Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow said, "As a member of the New York State Assembly representing the City of Yonkers, it is an honor to receive this funding from the state and Governor. We are grateful and appreciative of the Governor's decision to grant Yonkers with this year's Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your continuous dedication in helping us create jobs, housing and economic growth for generations to come. Our beautiful city and communities will forever be changed for the better."

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, "Congratulations to the City of Yonkers, and Mayor Mike Spano, on being selected to receive $10 million through New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. This investment is a tremendous opportunity to build on Yonkers' incredible momentum by creating new housing, supporting local businesses, improving public spaces and making the downtown an even more vibrant place to live, work and visit. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for continuing to invest in communities across Westchester County and for recognizing that strong downtowns are essential to a strong regional economy. Westchester County looks forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Yonkers and New York State to ensure this investment delivers lasting benefits."

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, "Yonkers' waterfront has long been one of our city's greatest assets, and this transformational $10 million investment from New York State will help us unlock its full potential. An investment in Yonkers translates to a greater investment in the Hudson Valley. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul and our partners in State government for recognizing the importance of activating our waterfront that will create new opportunities for economic growth, enhance public spaces, improve safety and strengthen the connection between our residents and the Hudson River."

Village of Ellenville Mayor Evan Trent said, "We are honored to be selected as a NY Forward recipient, and extend our deep gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, and the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council for their confidence in Ellenville's future. This investment will build on the organic growth Ellenville has made and push forward transformative projects. We are excited to work with our community partners, residents, and businesses to leverage this opportunity to strengthen our downtown, support economic development and enhance the quality of life for everyone who calls Ellenville home."

Town of Rockland Supervisor Robert Eggleton said, "As a local official and public servant, we greatly appreciate your support. We are enthusiastic that the Town of Rockland's Hamlet of Livingston Manor has been selected as a recipient of the NY Forward grant program for the Mid-Hudson Region. This award will catalyze our downtown business initiative while strengthening our thriving community, a place to visit, recreate, and call home. Thank you, Governor Hochul and the Regional Economic Development Council, for your continued efforts supporting our vision to embrace a walkable sustainable community.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said, "The NY Forward award represents a truly transformational investment in a community that has long been defined by its resilience, creativity, and pride - from its industrial roots and Borscht Belt legacy to the vibrant arts and cultural renaissance we see today. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to uplifting small downtowns across New York State, and for seeing the tremendous potential in Ellenville, a truly unique and special place. I also want to thank the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council for believing in this community's plan and the people behind it. This $4.5 million investment will enable Ellenville to expand housing, build on its arts and cultural foundation, enhance public spaces and support the local economy. It will help ensure that Ellenville's next chapter honors its history, embraces its diversity and creates new opportunities for families, workers, and businesses. I could not be more proud of this community and more excited for what comes next."

Yonkers, Ellenville and Livingston Manor in the Town of Rockland 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 guide the investment of DRI and NY Forward grant funds in revitalization projects that are poised for implementation and will advance the community's vision for their downtown so that it can leverage and expand upon the state's investment.

The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all criteria before recommending these communities as nominees.

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State's bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through nine rounds, the DRI will have awarded a total of $1 billion to 99 communities across every region of the State. As part of the FY 2027 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul has secured another $100 million for the program.

About the NY Forward Program
First announced as part of the 2022 Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the state's revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.

NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through four rounds, the NY Forward program will have awarded a total of $340 million to 77 communities across every region of the State. As part of the FY 2027 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul has secured another $100 million for the program.