NORWICH — Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced nine revitalization projects for Norwich as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

“The projects are set to enhance business and housing opportunities; improve streetscape walkability and public spaces; and expand arts and cultural amenities. It will also provide Norwich with the jumpstart it needs to deliver on job creation and stimulate the local economy” said Hochul.

Commerce Chenango staff led by President and CEO Sal Testani, and City of Norwich Planner Erik Scrivener met to discuss the next steps in the DRI process with Julie Sweet, NYS Department of State, who is to provide technical assistance for the DRI.

Sweet said, “We are in the process of identifying one of three state agencies that will hold the contract and work together with the sponsor of each of the nine projects that have been approved. Each project sponsor will be contacted by a designated state agency representative, who will review their agency’s contracting process and next steps. Prior to starting any of the work, project sponsors will need the green light to do so from the state agency.”

The three state agencies and their contacts include Patricia O’Reilly with NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Julie Sweet with the Department of State, and Robert (Bud) Sweet with Empire State Development. Each agency has their own reporting and reimbursement criteria that must be met as the projects move forward.

Development Chenango Corporation (DCC) will be the project lead for the $600,000 Downtown Norwich Small Project Grant Fund that was created to help property owners improve their buildings or other downtown transformational projects.

In the next few weeks DCC, who will hold the individual contracts for the grant funds, will work with NYS Homes and Community Renewal to initiate a Request for Proposal (RFP) for those who wish to secure a portion of the $600,000. Although there will be a cap on the amount of funding that can be applied for, those projects that were not selected, as well as those businesses in the downtown Norwich area with a new idea, are encouraged to apply.

Testani shared that DCC is currently in the process of putting together a list of additional funding sources, and that updates to the community will be provided as we get additional information. Meetings will be scheduled with project leaders to keep plans moving forward and to make sure key components of individual projects are identified.

For questions, please reach out to Sal Testani at 607.334.1404 or to Julie Sweet at 607-721-8752.


New York State's DRI, a cornerstone of its economic development program, transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity.

Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal, and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State's bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

More information on the DRI is available  on the NYS website at ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative.

-Information provided by Commerce Chenango