43 Projects Across Nine Regions Will Support Efforts to Reduce Blight, Spur New Investments and Encourage Community Revitalization 

Projects Advance Governor's Priorities by Increasing Available Housing and Spurring New Investments in Economic and Community Growth 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $64.1 million has been awarded to 43 projects through the State's Restore New York Communities Initiative. Restore New York supports municipal revitalization efforts with funds to help remove and reduce blight, reinvigorate communities and generate new residential and economic opportunities statewide. The program, administered by Empire State Development, is designed to help local governments encourage new commercial investments through community revitalization, growing local housing, and putting properties back on the tax rolls to increase the local tax base. 

“Revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas of our communities brings new energy and investments that support local and regional growth,” Governor Hochul said. “Restore New York helps our municipalities plan for the future by catalyzing economic growth and supporting housing, businesses and cultural spaces. We are further unlocking the potential of these sites and communities across New York." 

As Governor Hochul previously announced, Albany County was awarded a $10 million special project designation to support the safe demolition of the Albany Central Warehouse, a large blighted structure alongside I-787 in Albany. The long-vacant Central Warehouse is one of the first landmarks seen when entering the Capital Region, and its removal will encourage new investments and redevelopment of the site in a high growth area. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State is building for the future by supporting projects that advance statewide priorities like increasing housing and revitalizing communities. Through the Restore New York Communities Initiative, we are working together with municipalities to remove blight and generate new investments to promote sustainable economic growth." 

Highlighted projects from each region are detailed below. View a full list of projects receiving funding here.

Read the full press release here.