County Infrastructure Grant Program

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Objective

Under New York’s County Infrastructure Grant Program, Empire State Development will provide up to $150 million in grants to support county-led infrastructure projects across the State, with enhanced awards for projects supporting the creation of housing. 

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Overview

The Program intentionally focuses on smaller-scale infrastructure projects which may lack standalone funding sources, but nevertheless are priority capital projects for counties. The Program is designed to invest in projects that: contribute to placemaking, support the creation of housing, and encourage visitation and tourism.

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Program Status

*As of September 2026

Since formally launching in November 2024, the County Infrastructure Grant Program has been working to invest in infrastructure projects across New York State. The program has made the following announcements: 

  • 1st round of grant awards in July 2025.
  • 2nd round of grant awards in August 2026. 
  • 3rd round will open for applications in Fall 2026.  

Final Application Due Date: TBD

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Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Counties located in NYS, excluding the counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond, Bronx, and New York.

Eligible Projects

  • Small and moderate-scale priority infrastructure projects identified by the county which directly or indirectly support economic development, support the creation of housing, contribute to placemaking, or encourage tourism.

Eligible Uses of Funds

  • Construction, expansion, and/or rehabilitation of municipal, utility, or other public property and/or ancillary infrastructure to support such developments;
  • Extension or reconstruction of road, water, sewer, or utilities;
  • Design or engineering costs related to construction (limited to 20% of total project cost);
  • Acquisition of machinery and equipment related to infrastructure projects; 
  • Placemaking and beautification project costs;
  • Site preparation, demolition, acquisition of real property related to the county-led infrastructure project; and
  • Other capital uses as determined by Empire State Development (ESD)

Grant Funding

  • Starting in Round 3, projects that do not directly support the creation of at least (10) ten new housing units, are eligible for an award up to $1,000,000 (increased from $500,000). 
  • Starting in Round 3, projects that directly support the creation of at least (10) ten new housing units, are eligible for an award up to $1,500,000 (increased from $1,000,000).  
  • Minimum 50% non-ESD match required
  • A non-refundable $250 application fee will be required
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How to Apply

  • Program Guidelines
  • Letter of Intent – Counties are required to submit a Letter of Intent to ESD, to describe the proposed project and determine eligibility, prior to a full application. A Letter of Intent should be sent to the email below, with a subject line of “County Name – Letter of Intent.” 
  • Applications – Will be accepted on a rolling basis through rounds, in the CFA Portal.
  • Awards will be allocated through rounds, until funding is exhausted.
  • Only one application and one grant are permitted per county, each round.
  • Any unspent funds will be redeployed in future rounds, at the discretion of ESD.