State awards $463M through REDC

ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced more than $463 million has been awarded statewide through the State's Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Long Island, the Mohawk Valley, New York City and the Southern Tier were chosen as winners of the inaugural $150 million Advancing Collaboration for High-impact Initiatives for Economic Visions & Expansion competition — or ACHIEVE Competition — which empowered the REDCs to advance catalytic economic development projects backed by enhanced implementation funding to jump-start regional growth. Additionally, nearly 400 projects across the state have been awarded over $300 million in funding through the various state agency programs within the annual Regional Council initiative and Consolidated Funding Application, which are redesigned to help catalyze economic growth, jump-start housing growth, and advance regionally designed strategic plans, while addressing state priorities. "I remain grateful for everyone involved in advancing the work of the Regional Economic Development Councils. Their dedication to this ongoing public-private effort has had a transformational impact in every corner of the state," Gov. Hochul said. "Congratulations to four regions, named the inaugural winners of the ACHIEVE competition. The focused investments laid out in the locally designed plans will create investment opportunities that will help to build an enduring and successful future for all New Yorkers." ACHIEVE COMPETITION As part of this year's Regional Council competition, each REDC developed a transformational regional initiative for the chance to win up to $50 million in implementation funding, or partnered on a joint multi-regional proposal. Regions collaborated with local stakeholders to develop an actionable roadmap featuring high-impact, transformational projects and regional partnerships to guide implementation. Long Island, the Mohawk Valley, New York City and the Southern Tier were awarded a combined $150 million based on the strengths of their ACHIEVE proposals, which were reviewed by the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team comprised of members of the Governor's Cabinet. 2025 REDC INITIATIVE PROJECT AWARDS As part of the Dec. 23 announcement, more than $313 million is being awarded through the 2025 REDC initiative to support 381 projects statewide that will advance each region's strategic plan and overarching state priorities. The funding includes over $60 million in Regional Council Capital Fund awards to implement each region's strategic plan and $100 million in Pro-Housing Supply Fund awards to deliver infrastructure improvements that will facilitate transformative housing projects. The Pro-Housing Supply Fund awards certified Pro-Housing Communities with financing for essential infrastructure projects, such as sewer, electrical and water system upgrades, that are needed to facilitate new housing developments. By modernizing these essential services, Pro-Housing Communities can unlock new and more affordable and mixed-rate housing opportunities, attract private investment, and create more vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods. A full list of awardees is available online. Awards for the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) and Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant programs, administered by the New York State from the Department of Environmental Conservation, will be forthcoming. The North Country was awarded nearly $12.4 million to support 34 projects, including $316,000 for Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton- Herkimer-Oneida BOCES to purchase equipment and welding simulators for its Watertown and Glenfield facilities to support advanced manufacturing career training. WARREN COUNTY -Warren County Climate Resilient Rural Stormwater Management: Warren County will conduct a culvert assessment and inventory for its local municipalities. The assessment will focus on high-priority flood-prone areas, identified using federal, state, and county flood data with input from municipal Highway Superintendents. The result will be a centrally managed GIS database housed and maintained by the Warren County GIS program. This shared platform will enable strategic, data-driven decision-making across jurisdictions, helping municipalities prioritize rural stormwater projects through the lens of resiliency. $74,927 -Warren County Planning Mill Creek Recreational Area Trails Project: Warren County, in partnership with the Town of Johnsburg will finalize design and construct a mountain bike and shared-use trail system at the Mill Creek Recreational Area. This project will enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in the Upper Hudson Corridor by providing several new access points. It also advances the 2015 Rediscovering the First Wilderness Action Plan Update. $262,500 -Town of Hague Local Waterfront Revitalization Program: The Town of Hague will develop a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) for its waterfront area on Lake George and lands surrounding Hague Brook. The LWRP will describe existing conditions, outline issues, and provide an implementation roadmap for the Town's policies, initiatives, and projects. By understanding the Town's waterfront, the LWRP can better address revitalization, infrastructure resiliency, adaptation strategies, and public access expansion on Lake George. $90,000 -Warren County Gore Mountain to Downtown North Creek Connection Phase 2: Warren County in partnership with the Town of Johnsburg, will develop a cohesive multimodal connectivity plan linking Ski Bowl Park and Gore Mountain to Main Street and the Hudson riverfront in North Creek. The project will enhance walkability, improve key intersections, and strengthen economic ties between the popular recreation destination and the downtown business district. This project implements the First Wilderness Corridor Action Plan to increase connectivity in the region. $221,958 -Warren Town of Lake George Fort Gage Apartments infrastructure upgrades: The Town of Lake George, in partnership with the Village of Lake George and 2451 Route 9N, LLC, will install water and sewer infrastructure to support the Fort Gage Overlook Apartments, a 400-unit adaptive reuse residential development off NYS Route 9N in the Town of Lake George. These upgrades are essential to enable high-density year-round housing and address the shortfall identified in the 2023 Warren County Housing Needs Study. $2,500,000 -Warren County of Warren Hudson River Recreational Rail Corridor Future Use Feasibility Study: Warren County plans to conduct a study on the 40-mile section of rail corridor connecting Corinth to North Creek. This study will untangle the regulatory, economic, ownership, and physical issues associated with the rail corridor with the objective of leveraging it as an economic engine. $50,000 -Warren County to install a well-planned wayfinding and informational signage system on the Warren County Bikeway, a key component of the Multi-Use Trail Connectivity and Modernization Study. $299,780 CLINTON AND ESSEX CO. AWARDS -Town of Plattsburgh Comprehensive Plan with Sustainability Elements: The town of Plattsburgh will develop a comprehensive plan with sustainability elements. As part of this effort, the town will also evaluate policies for climate resilience and prepare a plan for biking and walking. The plan will provide a foundation for updating zoning, implementing policies to expand housing availability, multi-modal transportation and address community health and equity issues. $100,000 -Village of Saranac Lake Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Climate Adaptation Plan: The village of Saranac Lake will create a climate vulnerability assessment and climate adaptation plan. Climate change threatens the towns outdoor focused tourism economy, economic well-being, public health, and long-term sustainability. These plans will be created to bolster our climate preparedness, social cohesion, and economic longevity. $72,000 -Town of Jay Complete Streets Policy and Planning for Biking & Walking: The Town of Jay will develop a complete streets policy and a biking and walking plan to improve transportation safety, accessibility, and sustainability. The project will be conducted town-wide. $30,000 -City of Plattsburgh City Beach Waterfront Accessibility Project: The City of Plattsburgh will implement its 2025 Local Waterfront Revitalization Program by revitalizing City Beach on Lake Champlain. The City will construct a new playground and improve pedestrian circulation with the addition of new paths and sidewalks. The project will improve the visitor experience by enhancing accessibility and supporting outdoor recreation, and reestablishing the beach as a vibrant, family-friendly destination for residents and visitors. $1,125,000 - City of Plattsburgh Melissa Penfield Park Accessible Playground Improvements: The City of Plattsburgh will construct an accessible and inclusive destination playground at Melissa Penfield Park. $675,000 -Town of Westport Lee Park Waterfront Improvements: The Town of Westport, in partnership with the Lake Champlain Lake George Regional Planning Board, will develop a Parkwide Master Plan for Lee Park, implementing the Essex and Clinton Waterfront Plan. The project, along the Lake Champlain waterfront, includes an engineering study of Hoisington Brook, next steps for beach restoration, and design for accessible playground equipment and improved basketball courts, enhancing recreational opportunities and public waterfront access. $225,000 -Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism ROOST Marketing Campaign Tourism Working Capital: ROOST will use grant funds to implement the Adirondacks, USA Regional Tourism Marketing Campaign, promoting outdoor recreation, agritourism, and cultural attractions across Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton counties. The campaign will increase visitation and visitor spending through digital advertising, curated itineraries, and distribution of a regional print guide. $50,000 -The Fort Ticonderoga Association Northern Department Phase II Tourism Working Capital: Fort Ticonderoga will expand upon the 250th Northern Department marketing initiative, as part of its plans for the national 250th commemoration of the American Revolution. This initiative will promote and market regional historic sites during the commemorative period, through print and digital content and social media platforms. $698,500 -The Lake Placid Association for Music, Drama and Art, Inc., Lake Placid Center for the Arts: The Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) will fully renovate its 50-year-old facility and expand programming to reach a wider audience. The project includes a new LEED-certified theater, a visual arts gallery, a flexible education space, and a lobby for community gatherings and performances. The building upgrades will enable the Lake Placid Center for the Arts to expand programming and reach a wider audience amidst the backdrop of the Adirondack High Peaks. Additionally, the current educational space, which supports Head Start, will be expanded to allow for additional childcare slots. $1,500,000 -Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc. Adirondack Rail Trail: The Open Space Institute (OSI) will construct a state-of-the-art trailhead and parking area at the eastern terminus of the Adirondack Rail Trail in the Village of Lake Placid. The project will include a pavilion and restrooms, parking, trailhead signage and bike racks. Lake Placid is a magnet for outdoor activity and the rail trail is a very popular attraction, and this project enhances the visitor experience, increasing interest among new and returning visitors. $300,000 -PRIDE of Ticonderoga, Inc. Reimagining the Forks: The North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC) has partnered with the Town of Jay to implement economic development initiatives in the hamlet of Au Sable Forks. This project will continue that work by rehabilitating mixed-use properties along NYS Route 9N, including facade restoration, storefront improvements, ADA accessibility upgrades, and signage enhancements. The effort targets long-vacant and underutilized buildings to stimulate economic activity, improve the pedestrian environment, and support local business growth. Deliverables include completed building renovations, increased commercial occupancy, and a more vibrant, accessible downtown in alignment with the Town's Climate Smart and Pro-Housing designations. $315,000 -The Fort Ticonderoga Association Restoration of the Historic West Curtain Wall and Terreplein: The Fort Ticonderoga Association will restore the west curtain wall and terreplein of the historic fort and stabilize and restore the historic structure, while utilizing modern techniques to preserve it for future generations. $675,000 -Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates Improvements to the visitor experience on the Adirondack Rail Trail: The Adirondack Rail Trail Association (ARTA) will add trail amenities, including bear-proof trash cans, signs, maps, a bike repair station, and trail counters to the Adirondack Rail Trail (ART). The ART is a 34-mile multi-use, all-season trail from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake. $30,298 The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. To date, through the REDC Initiative, more than $8 billion has been awarded to more than 10,000 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plan. The REDC has been the cornerstone of a bottom-up approach to economic development that allows the State's ten Regional Councils to support projects that advance strategic regional and statewide priorities.

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State awards $463M through REDC

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