Albion seeks NY Forward projects as part of $4.5 million state grant application

Public meeting set for Sept. 26 to outline program

ALBION – The Village of Albion is holding a meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Village Hall to go over the NY Forward program, where municipalities can receive $4.5 million in state funding to help downtown business districts, and tackle other housing and tourism initiatives.

The village is working with its grantwriter, G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, to submit an application. G & G will give an overview of the program during the Sept. 26 meeting, and will encourage projects to be submitted for the application.

Businesses, industry groups, cultural organizations, developers, non-profit organizations and property owners can submit a project for consideration.

Potential projects could include new construction (residential, mixed use, hotel, etc.), renovation of existing buildings, facade improvements, renovation of new retail, office, co-working, commercial, industrial, recreational or cultural uses.

The state wants projects that will transform the downtown and support a vibrant and year-round economy.

For more information, send an email to G & G at contact@ggprocess.com.

The Village of Medina has been awarded a $4.5 million NY Forward grant and those projects are expected to take shape in the next two years.

Albion submitted applications last year for the $4.5 million Forward NY program and for up to $10 million in a Restore NY grant.

Albion was denied in both applications in what grant writer Jay Grasso of G & G said are very competitive programs among municipalities looking to help their downtown business districts, and tackle other housing and tourism initiatives.

Grasso said Albion was a strong contender in both programs. Besides NY Forward, Grasso said the village will go after the Restore NY grant again this year.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today that $50 million will be available in Round 9 of the Restore New York program. The funding supports municipalities’ efforts to demolish, rehabilitate, and restore blighted structures and transform them into vibrant residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

“We are revitalizing communities across New York State through the Restore New York Communities Initiative – giving towns and cities the chance to build a future that is safer, more affordable, and more livable,” Hochul said in a press release.

An intent to apply form for Restore NY is due from municipalities to the state by Oct. 23.