Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that $200 million in funding is now available for the next rounds of New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward programs. Each program will receive $100 million, with DRI focusing on larger downtowns and NY Forward targeting smaller and rural communities.
Since their inception, these two programs have distributed a total of $1.2 billion to 151 communities across all regions of New York State. Applications for this new round are being accepted through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application Portal until November 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. For New York City communities, applications must be submitted to the Borough President’s office by October 31, 2025.
Governor Hochul stated, “From bustling city centers to small rural villages, every community needs and deserves the opportunity to thrive. Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward program, we’re making transformative investments that not only strengthen our local economies, but also create vibrant, walkable downtowns for generations to live, work and play. With this new round of funding, we are continuing to build on the success of the more than 150 communities that are already working to turn their visions for revitalization into a reality.”
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley commented on the impact of these initiatives: “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward program give communities the tools and resources they need to reimagine their futures and drive meaningful change. Through coupling significant investment with smart planning by the community and for the community, these programs deliver real results that improve the quality of life for residents, attract new businesses and spur additional private investment. We encourage all communities, no matter how small, to apply so we can help bring their visions to life.”
A new requirement introduced in the FY2025 Enacted Budget mandates that cities, towns or villages must either have submitted a Letter of Intent or be Pro-Housing certified before applying for DRI or NY Forward funding; full certification is required before awards are announced. The Pro-Housing Community designation grants exclusive access to up to $750 million in state funds—this includes a $100 million supply fund established by Governor Hochul aimed at supporting infrastructure projects necessary for housing development such as sewer or water upgrades. More than 350 municipalities statewide have achieved Pro-Housing certification.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said: “The Downtown Revitalization and NY Forward initiatives are essential in Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to reenergize city and town centers across the state. This latest round of targeted investments will support high-quality, community-driven projects that will benefit small businesses, promote economic growth and create more vibrant downtowns where people want to live, work and play for generations to come.”
