Village of Schoharie Announces Open Call for Projects as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative - 15 May 2025

SCHOHARIE – The Village of Schoharie Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)  Local Planning Committee is seeking transformative project proposals for potential  inclusion in the Village of Schoharie DRI Strategic Investment Plan. Investment Plan.  Proposals for public, private, and not-for-profit projects can be submitted through an  Open Call for Projects from May 9th to June 11th, 2025.    

For those interested, please go to www.villageofschohariedri.com to download the  Open Call Form. An informational webinar on the Open Call is scheduled for May 20th  from 12:30 - 1:30 pm and one-on-one support is available for potential project sponsors  starting today. Prospective project sponsors are encourage to reach out the consultants  via email – villageschohariedri@gmail.com – to set up a pre-application meeting to  talk through their project and ask any questions they may have. Projects received  through the Open Call will be reviewed by the Local Planning Committee, with input  from the public. Successful submissions will be recommended for funding to the state.    

The NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) provides state funding to New York  communities to foster vibrant downtowns across the state. The ultimate goal of the DRI  is to fund projects that will help transform downtowns into vibrant communities where New Yorkers want to live, work, and raise families.  

As the Round Eight DRI winner for the Mohawk Valley, the Village of Schoharie will  receive $10 million in funding from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to develop  and implement a Strategic Investment Plan for the DRI area. A Local Planning  Committee made up of representatives of local businesses, institutions, and community  groups is leading the effort, supported by a team of state planners and private sector  experts.  

The Open Call for Projects provides the community with an opportunity to propose  transformative projects within the Village of Schoharie. Submissions may include  projects such as new capital/construction projects, public improvements, and  renovation of existing buildings. Projects should have a visible and functional impact on  the downtown area, for example, by serving as an anchor or catalytic project that will provide employment opportunities, housing choices, and/or services for the community.  Projects must also align with the DRI goals and eligibility criteria. They should be  shovel-ready and implementable within two years. Inclusion of a project in the Village  of Schoharie DRI Strategic Investment Plan does not guarantee funding through the  DRI Program. New York State will make the final determination of which projects will  receive a DRI award. 

Information on the open call including useful resources for project sponsors can be  found online at www.villageofschohariedri.com/opencall 

About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative:  

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand  the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to  serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of  State with assistance from Empire State Development, NYS Homes and Community  Renewal, NYSERDA, and NYS Department of Transportation, 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. Through eight  rounds, the DRI will have awarded a total of $900 million to 89 communities across  every region of the State. 

Participating communities are nominated by the state's 10 Regional Economic  Development Councils based on the downtown's potential for transformation. Each  community is awarded $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and  implement key catalytic projects that advance the community's vision for revitalization  and leverage additional private and public investments. 

More information on the DRI is available here.