Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted FY 2025 Budget investments in the Southern Tier during a visit to Binghamton University. The Governor announced $1.4 billion in school aid for the Southern Tier – a $10 million increase in aid – as well as $123 million for renovations and maintenance at Binghamton University. The budget also includes $84.7 million for health care capital projects in the Southern Tier and $7.5 million for improvements at Taughannock Falls State Park. Governor Hochul also announced that the Hamlets of Roxbury and Grand Gorge, located within the Town of Roxbury, will receive $10 million in funding as the joint Southern Tier Region winners of the seventh round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The Village of Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport will receive $4.5 million each as this year’s Southern Tier region NY Forward winners. 14 Southern Tier localities, including the Town of Roxbury, Village of Groton, Town of Urbana, and Village of Hammondsport, join 143 localities statewide in launching applications to become Pro-Housing Communities. The City of Binghamton, the Village of Dryden, and the Village of Johnson City are already certified Pro-Housing Communities in the Southern Tier.
“We are making transformative investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure to build a better, brighter future for everyone who lives in the Southern Tier,” Governor Hochul said. “Communities across the region can revitalize their neighborhoods and create more opportunity for New Yorkers through the funding announced today, and I look forward to seeing the Southern Tier become an even better place to live, work, and visit.”
FY 2025 Budget Investments in the Southern Tier
- $1.4 billion in school aid for the Southern Tier – a $10 million increase in school aid, including a $8 million in Foundation Aid for the region
- $123 million for renovations and maintenance at Binghamton University
- $60 million to construct a new lecture hall, classroom, and Teaching Chem Lab Building
- $30 million to renovate Science III Building for Biology
- $22 million to renovate Fine Arts Building
- $11 million for campus-wide maintenance
- $84.7 million for transformative health care capital projects in the region
- $7.5 million to enhance and improve Taughannock Falls State Park
Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Investments
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. Building on the success of the DRI, NY Forward was created to invigorate and enliven downtowns in New York’s smaller and rural communities. With the Governor’s commitment last year of $100 million each for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward, the State has now invested a combined total of $1 billion in both programs since their inception. The Governor has proposed another $100 million for each program, totaling $200 million, in her FY 2025 Executive Budget. To qualify for these newly added funds, municipalities will need to be certified Pro Housing Communities, furthering the Governor’s support for local partners dedicated to addressing the statewide housing crisis.
$10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award for Hamlets of Roxbury and Grand Gorge
The hamlets of Roxbury and Grand Gorge, located within the Town of Roxbury, are looking to expand their economy by creating functional spaces and opportunities that will retain current residents through jobs and living accommodations and encourage new residents and visitors by investing in affordable housing, developing businesses in hospitality and tourism as well as improving infrastructure.
The Hamlets of Roxbury and Grand Gorge have been jointly awarded $10 million in state funding and investments to revitalize their downtown neighborhoods and generate new opportunities for long-term growth following the local planning process. They join Johnson City, Endicott, Hornell, Owego, Watkins Glen and Elmira, which were Southern Tier winners in the first six rounds of the DRI.
Roxbury and Grand Gorge will begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. 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 examine local assets and opportunities to identify economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with each community’s vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation. The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that will advance the communities’ vision for their downtowns and that can leverage and expand upon the state’s $10 million investment. Plans for the DRI’s seventh round will be complete in 2024.
$4.5 Million NY Forward Awards for Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport
The Village of Groton plans focus on a high quality of life, abundant natural and recreational resources, and its unique history to attract families seeking an active lifestyle. Historic buildings, the Owasco Inlet, and an engaged citizenry are what the community will focus on in its plans to revitalize its downtowns.
Urbana/Hammondsport plans to utilize existing assets to spur private sector investments including better access to the waterfront and public wayfinding to support additional businesses in the downtown area.
Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport have each been awarded $4.5 million in state funding and investments to revitalize their downtown neighborhoods and generate new opportunities for long-term growth following the local planning process. They join Montour Falls and Waverly, which were Southern Tier winners in the first round of NY Forward.
Groton and Urbana/Hammondsport 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 examine local assets and opportunities to identify projects that align with each community’s vision and that are poised for implementation. Funding will be awarded for selected projects from the Strategic Investment Plan that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.
Governor Hochul also announced that 14 localities in the Southern Tier, including the Town of Roxbury, Village of Groton, Town of Urbana, and Village of Hammondsport, have launched their applications to become Pro-Housing Communities:
- The City of Hornell
- The Town of Urbana
- The Village of Montour Falls
- The City of Ithaca
- The Village of Watkins Glen
- The Village of Endicott
- The Town of Dryden
- The Village of Groton
- The Town of Roxbury
- The Town of Middletown
- The Village of Hammondsport
- The Village of Margaretville
- The Village of Odessa
- The City of Elmira
