New York communities can apply for a new $200 million funding round supporting downtown redevelopment, infrastructure improvements and local economic growth through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward programs.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the funding for Round 10 of DRI and Round 5 of NY Forward. Applications are open through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) Portal, with submissions due by January 8, 2027, at 4 p.m.
The two programs provide financial support for locally developed plans to strengthen downtown areas, improve commercial districts and attract investment. State officials said the funding is intended to help communities advance projects that support residents, businesses and visitors.
Since their launch, DRI and NY Forward have distributed a combined $1.34 billion to 178 communities across New York State.
The programs pair state investment with community-led planning, allowing local governments to identify redevelopment priorities and propose projects that reflect local economic and infrastructure needs.
Cities, towns and villages must hold a Pro-Housing Community designation to qualify for the funding. The requirement was established under the FY 2025 Enacted Budget and applies to the DRI and NY Forward programs, among other state discretionary funding opportunities.
More than 460 municipalities have received Pro-Housing certification. Designated communities can access up to $750 million in state funding through eligible programs.
Applications are available through the CFA Portal. New York City communities must submit their applications to their respective Borough President’s office by December 30, 2026.
An application webinar is scheduled for November 5, 2026. The session will be recorded and made available through the DRI and NY Forward program websites.
The $200 million funding round creates another opportunity for municipalities to advance downtown improvement plans and attract investment. For construction and development stakeholders, the programmes may generate opportunities tied to commercial district improvements, public infrastructure, accessibility upgrades and community redevelopment.
Source: ESD.
