Governor Hochul Boosts Marathon New York With New Funding

Today, May 12, 2026, 25 transformational projects for communities in Central New York were announced by Governor Kathy Hochul.

Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward

The Village of Pulaski, Chittenango, and Marathon were all announced as award-winning communities as part of two economic development programs: the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward.

The Village of Pulaski was a round 8 winner with a $10 million DRI award. The Village of Chittenango, a Round 3 winner, will receive a $4.5 million NY Forward award. The Village of Marathon is also a Round 3 winner of a $4.5 million NY Forward award.

New York is continuing to drive investment in its downtowns and develop long-lasting opportunities for their future through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward. The Villages of Pulaski, Chittenango and Marathon will focus on transformational projects that will shape Central New York’s infrastructure for new and current residents, as well as the incoming workforce. Affordability doesn’t stop at putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets. We’re focusing on unlocking housing potential and building out childcare and business opportunities for generations to come. - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

Read More: Attend the Next Broome County Passport Fair

Criteria For Receiving The Awards

To receive funding from either the DRI or NY Forward program, localities must be certified under Governor Hochul's Pro-Housing Communities Program to receive funding from either the Downtown Revitalization Initiative or NY Forward programs.

According to the announcement, these programs recognize and reward municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential and encourage others to follow suit. Currently, over 410 communities across New York have been certified, including the Villages of Pulaski, Chittenango, and Marathon.

Projects Planned For The Village Of Marathon

For Marathon, a Cortland County community just off Interstate 81, the six NY Forward projects, totaling $4.5 million, include:

• Activate IMTS Building for Business Expansion and Job Growth ($1,200,000): Renovate an unusable industrial space to enable a growing tool manufacturing business to expand and create jobs.

• Enhance Lovell Field and the Civic Center for Community Use ($1,277,000)

• Create New Rental Housing at 19-21 Cortland Street ($540,000)

• Create a New Coffee Shop and Bakery at 1 Broome Street ($183,000)

• Transform Peck Memorial Library to Improve Function and Accessibility ($1,000,000)

• Establish a Small Project Fund for Mixed-Use and Commercial Property Improvements ($300,000)

On behalf of the Village of Marathon, and all the project sponsors that worked diligently to provide a great slate of projects, I wish to thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to small communities such as ours. This type of funding is so important to the growth and improvement of our rural villages. With this New York Forward grant, we are able to address our commitment as a pro housing community, assist a local industry to increase production and add jobs, assist the Main Street retail district and greatly improve the village's civic center and recreation areas. This grant also allows the Peck Memorial Library to continue its quest to renovate the second-floor opera house, which upon completion, will return the opera house to its important role as the social hub of the village. Additionally, the small projects fund will be put to good use as we have interest in several worthwhile projects. Again, I wish to thank Governor Hochul and the Department of State for this wonderful transformational opportunity. - Village of Marathon Mayor, Scott Chamberlin

For more information, visit the NYS Governor Hochul website. 

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