- New York's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is helping to restore and rebuild downtowns across our State, especially in 20 communities along the New York State Canal system. Since 2016, cities, towns and villages in each of New York's 10 regions have competed for $10 million state DRI grants to leverage private investment for targeted infrastructure, housing and business improvements.
DRI investments will generate tourism and draw more visitors to our Canal communities, where you, our Canal Corporation employees, work so hard to reconnect New Yorkers to their history and provide safe places for community members and tourists to recreate.
Administered by the Department of State, the DRI program is transforming downtowns into vibrant live-work-play communities. Under Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York has doubled down on DRI for 2021, with 20 new DRI communities sharing a total of $200 million. Along our greater Canal Corridor, this year's lineup includes the addition of Syracuse, Buffalo, North Tonawanda, Rochester, Newark, Oneida, Little Falls and Gloversville. They join a dozen other Canal communities on the State's DRI roster, opening the door for expanded waterfront development, new housing, business and retail, and the kind of quality-of-life today's millennials, professionals and seniors all desire.
In recent weeks, I've been proud to travel the state and join Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin, mayors, local elected leaders and community advocates to announce and celebrate some of our newest DRI awardees along the Canal.
We've always known how extraordinary our great Canal communities are. Now, thanks to a growing partnership with an expanded DRI program, New York State is helping to make them even better places to live, work and play.
DRI Communities on the Canal and in the greater Canal Corridor:
Albany*
Amsterdam
Buffalo*
Fulton
Geneva
Glens Falls*
Gloversville**
Little Falls
Lockport
Newark
North Tonawanda
Oswego
Rochester
Rome
Schenectady
Seneca Falls
Syracuse
Troy*
Utica
Watkins Glen
* Not officially on the NYS Canal System as defined, but within the Canal corridor. Glens Falls connected via Feeder Canal.
** Beloved, but not officially on Canal or in the Corridor
Be well,
Brian Stratton
Director of Canals