Town of Jay to pursue DRI/NY Forward funding

JAY | The Town of Jay is moving forward with an effort to pursue funding through New York State's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and/or NY Forward programs, with the goal of securing transformational investment for housing, small businesses, public spaces, infrastructure, recreation, arts and culture, historic preservation, and other community priorities. "Our pursuit of the NY Forward grant is the culmination of years of hard work to revitalize downtown Au Sable Forks in the Town of Jay. We built momentum starting with our initial NY Main Street technical planning grant, then simultaneously launched the Essex Land Bank mural and secured a major NY Main Street implementation award. This application represents the next big leap, leveraging state support to spur major private investment and secure a vibrant future for our town," said Town of Jay Supervisor Matt Stanley. The Town is undertaking the effort with assistance from the North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC) and the Town of Jay Economic Development Committee, which will help coordinate local planning, community engagement, project identification, and documentation of existing and planned investment. The initiative builds on significant recent public and private investment already underway in the Town of Jay. Recent and current efforts include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing and community-development programs, New York Main Street (NYMS) activities, Essex County Land Bank investment, Vacant Rental Program activities, housing rehabilitation and development, small-business assistance, property redevelopment, blight removal, and other public and private revitalization projects. These investments demonstrate that the Town is not beginning from scratch. Rather, the DRI/NY Forward effort is intended to build upon existing momentum, leverage prior State and local investment, and develop a coordinated portfolio of projects capable of creating long term economic and community benefits. As part of the effort, the Town has issued a Request for Proposals for expedited DRI/NY Forward application preparation and community engagement services. The Town is seeking an experienced planning, economic development, community development, grant-writing, or downtown revitalization consultant to help develop a competitive application, establish a downtown vision, identify and develop potential projects, analyze existing and planned investments, prepare maps and supporting materials, and assist with final application preparation. The selected consultant will work closely with the Town of Jay Supervisor's Office, Town Board, NRDC, Town of Jay Economic Development Committee, residents, businesses, property owners, nonprofit organizations, employers, and other community stakeholders. Meaningful community engagement will be a central part of the process. The Town is asking residents, business owners, property owners, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and other stakeholders to begin thinking about the projects and priorities they would like to see included in a future DRI or NY Forward application. Potential ideas may include: -Housing and mixed-use development; -Building rehabilitation and redevelopment; -Small-business development; -Streetscape and infrastructure improvements; -Parks, recreation, and public spaces; -Pedestrian and bicycle improvements; -Arts and cultural projects; -Historic preservation; -Tourism and year-round economic-development initiatives; and other projects capable of creating meaningful and lasting community impact. The Town intends to begin this work now so that community engagement, project development, data collection, and application preparation can be substantially underway before the next State application deadline. CONSULTANT PROPOSALS Consultant proposals are due Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. Specifications are available by contacting the Office of the Town Clerk, Carol Greenley-Hackel, at P.O. Box 730, 11 School St., Au Sable Forks, NY 12912, by calling 518-647-2204, or at www.townofjayny.gov. Proposals must be clearly marked: "Sealed Proposal – Town of Jay – DRI Application and Community Engagement Services." The Town of Jay is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages participation by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and other disadvantaged business enterprises. Additional information regarding public meetings, community surveys, project solicitation, and other opportunities to participate in the DRI/NY Forward planning process will be announced as the effort moves forward.

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Town of Jay to pursue DRI/NY Forward funding

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