JANUARY
27 2023
GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES DUNKIRK AS THE $10 MILLION WESTERN NEW YORK WINNER OF SIXTHROUND DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE Downtown Revitalization Investments are a Critical Part of the State's Comprehensive Economic Development and Community Growth Strategy
State to Work with Residents, Community Leaders and Public Officials to Revitalize Dunkirk's Downtown Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the City of Dunkirk will receive $10 million in funding as the Western New York winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. For DRI Round 6, each of the state's 10 economic development regions are being awarded $10 million, to make for a total state commitment of $100 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.
ing base as well as its future digital and new biopharma employers. The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all the criteria below before recommending Dunkirk as the nominee:
"We are writing a new chapter of opportunity and prosperity for Western New York - prioritizing investments that will make the region a better place to live and visit," Governor Hochul said. "This funding will transform Dunkirk by activating the city's waterfront, creating inclusive workforce housing and expanding economic development opportunities. We will continue to invest in Western New York's revitalization efforts, which will help bring a renewed sense of hope to its communities." The DRI serves as a component of the State's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that oer a high quality of life and attract businesses, jobs and economic and housing diversity. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vi-
Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosa with Gov. Kathy Hochul
sion for the revitalization of its downtown and identies a list of signature projects that have transformative potential and leverage further private and public investments. The Department of State will then award DRI funds to selected projects with the greatest potential to jumpstart revitaliza-
tion and realize the communi- trict. New investment comty's vision. bined with past investments will create a robust environDunkirk ment for the rehabilitation Dunkirk seeks to harness and adaptive reuse of historic its connection to Lake Erie to downtown buildings and infill attract new investment, acti- development that incorporates vate its waterfront and serve mixed-income residential opas a conduit for redevelopment portunities. Dunkirk's vision of its historic business dis- is to amplify the city's unique
-Downtown is compact, with well-dened boundaries; -Downtown can capitalize on prior, or catalyze future private and public investment; -Recent or impending job growth within, or close to, the downtown that can attract workers, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable; -Downtown is an attractive and livable community for diverse populations; -Municipality already embraces, or has the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life; -Municipality conducted Photo Submitted open and robust community engagement resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives; -Municipality has the local sense of place with a genuine capacity to manage the DRI and authentic experience that process; and will be catalytic for future or-Municipality has identied ganic growth and will foster development that is inclusive while embracing its strong heritage and ethnic diversity. Through this vision, Dunkirk will meet the needs of its diverse and strong manufactur- continued on pg 3
Revitalization