LYONS FALLS — Governor Kathy Hochul announced recently the Village of Lyons Falls will receive $2.25 million in funding as one of the North Country region winners of the first round of NY Forward. Other winners included the Villages of Waddington and Cape Vincent, which will receive $2.25 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

NY Forward is a central component of the State’s economic development efforts, working together with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York’s downtowns.

NY Forward serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. NY Forward communities are walkable, less dense areas that serve the immediate local community, and are more local in nature - focusing on the immediately surrounding residential or rural agricultural centric development.

The Village of Lyons Falls is located at the confluence of Moose and Black River and is situated on a 70-foot waterfall. The Village has undergone significant changes over the past 20 years with the closure of the Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper Mill, but recent public and private investments, local planning efforts and infrastructure improvements have begun to spur redevelopment. The Village seeks to build on these efforts by increasing recreational tourism opportunities focused on the Moose and Black rivers, spurring economic development and celebrating the rich history and beauty of the area.

“We are so grateful to New York State for its investment in our small community,” said Lyons Falls Mayor Donna Dolhof. “This grant is a game changer for our village and we are excited to use these funds to move our economic development plan forward.”

Building on the momentum of the DRI, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same “Plan-then-Act” strategy to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s10 economic development regions to support development and implementation of revitalization plans for their downtowns.

“We are excited about what this means for the growth and future of Lyons Falls!” said James Munn, owner of Black River Valley Natural, a micro-creamery and producer of small-batch artisanal foods. “We have been working with a talented group of dedicated people to bring to fruition a vision of revitalization to our village. Black River Valley Naturals is committed to economic growth and revitalization and has plans of increasing fluid milk production and cheese making capabilities over the next several years.”

Lyons Falls, Waddington and Cape Vincent will now begin the process of developing strategic investment plans to revitalize their downtowns. A local planning committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead these efforts, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The strategic investment plan will examine local assets and opportunities to identify projects that align with each community’s vision and that are poised for implementation. Funding will be awarded for selected projects that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth.

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush said, “The village of Lyons Falls will benefit greatly from this NY Forward funding. It is critical that we give equal attention to our small rural communities as we do to the big cities. I look forward to seeing the revitalization projects that will take place in Lyons Falls and how they will help its continued success.”