Southern Tier New York Communities Win Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Thursday, February 27, 2025, three Southern Tier communities were announced by Governor Kathy Hochul as winners of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and New York Forward Program.

The three communities in New York's Southern Tier include Bath, Dryden, and Binghamton. Criteria to be eligible to receive funding require that communities must be certified under Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities Program.

Dryden and Bath were winners in the third round of New York Forward, and each village will receive $4.5 million, while Binghamton was a winner in the eighth round and is set to receive $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

Overall, New York State has committed $200 million in funding and investments, to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

By investing in the future of these Southern Tier communities, this funding will revitalize their downtown areas by building vibrant and thriving destinations where businesses, families, and visitors can flourish. With our Pro-Housing Communities initiative, we’re giving local leaders the tools to transform their cities, towns, and villages into hubs of opportunity, culture, and affordable living. This is how we build stronger, more connected communities that work for everyone across New York. - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

For Binghamton, the award will be for the Clinton Street Neighborhood Business District revitalization. Governor Hochul's announcement describes the Clinton Street corridor as the “backbone” of the City’s First Ward.

According to the announcement, the goal is to make "Clinton Street a reinvigorated corridor better connected to the city and serving the First Ward neighborhood through support for infill development, expanded affordable housing, adaptive reuse and rehabilitation, and enhanced public infrastructure."

The Village of Bath goal is for the village’s Liberty Street Historic District revitalization, and the Village of Dryden looks to reinvest in its historic downtown Main Street with a robust mix of shopping, dining, and residential spaces.

For more information, visit New York State Governor Hochul's website.