$10M Downtown Grant Round Opens: Mohawk Valley Towns Have Until Jan. 8 to Apply

New York opened a new round of its Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward grants on Oct. 29, 2026, with applications due Friday, Jan. 8, 2027, at 4 p.m. through the state's Consolidated Funding Application portal. The governor's office put $200 million on the table statewide; the Utica Phoenix broke down the regional shares.

What the Mohawk Valley can win:

• One $10 million DRI award (two or three small neighboring communities can apply together).
• Two NY Forward awards of $4.5 million each, aimed at smaller downtowns.

Key dates: a state application webinar on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m.; an optional intent-to-apply by Dec. 21 for one-on-one help; awards expected on a rolling basis in spring 2027.

Only municipalities certified as Pro-Housing Communities can apply. Past local winners include Utica, Rome, Herkimer, Clinton/Kirkland, Boonville, Waterville and Dolgeville; earlier winners may apply again for a different area. Local officials can reach the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council at NYS-MohawkVal@esd.ny.gov.