CLINTON — The town of Kirkland the village of Clinton will jointly receive $10 million in funding as the Mohawk Valley region’s winner of the sixth round of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Inititiative, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced.

As part of the sixth round DRI awards, a winner from each of the state’s 10 economic development regions will be awarded $10 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

In addition to the $10 million for Kirkland and Clinton, the state also announced that the village of Cooperstown will receive $4.5 million while the villages of Sharon Springs and Dolgeville will each receive $2.25 million in funding as the Mohawk Valley winners of the NY Forward program.

“This is just a splendid day to get $10 million dollars for this community,” said Clinton Mayor Elizabeth Tantillo. “All those who have helped prepare for this day have really united the county and the village together, and we are looking forward to great things in the community.”

“This is a work in progress for three years. This is our third attempt and I’m very proud for a group of people who brought this today,” said Gary Colarusso, town of Kirkland deputy supervisor. “For those folks, my heart and hand is out to them. This is a great group of folks that were not only within the township or village itself. We have a great relationship with the village being almost at the center of the township and all of things that made this a very special place.”

The DRI serves as a component of the state’s economic development policy by seeking to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that offer a high quality of life and attract businesses, jobs and economic and housing diversity. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identies a list of signature projects that have transformative potential and leverage further private and public investments.

The Department of State will then award DRI funds to selected projects with the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and realize the community’s vision, Hochul’s announcement added.

The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all the criteria below before recommending Kirkland and Clinton as the nominee, the announcement said, adding that the area’s compact downtown, with well-defined boundaries, can capitalize on recent and future private and public investment. The area can also attract workers, support redevelopment and make such growth sustainable.

“(The) Downtown is an attractive and livable community for diverse populations,” the announcement said, adding the “Municipality already embraces, or has the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life.”

The community’s proposed DRI area “encompasses parts of the village of Clinton and town of Kirkland and includes the community’s federally designated historic district. The DRI area also includes key properties, such as the Village Hall, the Clinton Cider Mill and Alteri’s Restaurant, and many of the buildings in the DRI area are between 80 and 100 years old.”

“Our Downtown Revitalization Initiative allows communities across New York to execute their vision to transform and improve their downtowns for residents and visitors alike,”  Hochul said. “With this funding, Kirkland and Clinton will be able to increase their housing supply and modernize their infrastructure while enhancing the historical character of the downtown area.”

Hochul also hailed the improvements possible to the local recipients of NY Forward funding. “These investments will help the village of Cooperstown, Sharon Springs, and Dolgeville develop their downtowns, improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, and create new jobs and attract businesses to expand economic opportunity across the region.”

Kirkland and Clinton join the communities of Oneonta, Rome, Amsterdam, Utica, Gloversville and Little Falls, which were the Mohawk Valley’s winners in the first five DRI rounds.

Kirkland and Clinton will begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown with up to $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.

The Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities to identify economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with each community’s vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation. The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that will advance the community’s vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state’s $10 million investment. Plans for the DRI’s sixth round will be complete in 2023.

Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs, Lawrence T. Gilroy III, President of Gilroy, Kernan& Gilroy, Inc. and Dr. Marion Terenzio, SUNY Cobleskill President said, “The MVREDC enthusiastically supports the opportunity that this DRI funding represents for the town of Kirkland and the village of Clinton. This initiative will help to build on the sports,educationand cultural strengths of these communities, and further ensure their long-term revitalization.”

“I am pleased that the town of Kirkland and village of Clinton will jointly receive funding through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative,” said state Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-53, Rome. “This investment will enhance,revitalizeand strengthen both communities and help to position them for even brighter futures.”

“I am excited to see that the town of Kirkland and village of Clinton’s joint application for the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), has been awarded at $10 million,” said Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-122, New Hartford. “The DRI funding will greatly contribute to the community’s commitment to enhance the economic, environmental, educational and cultural quality of life for all residents.”