Perry Big Winner with $10 Million NYS Downtown Revitalization Grant

Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday, Feb. 13, that the Village of Perry will receive $10 million in funding as the Finger Lakes region winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. For DRI Round 6, each of the state’s 10 economic development regions were awarded $10 million, which will total a $100 million state commitment to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

“Our downtowns are the lifeblood of New York communities, and my administration is committed to delivering the resources they need to thrive, flourish and reach their full potential,” Governor Hochul said. “Through this $10 million investment from our Downtown Revitalization Initiative, we’re helping Perry drive economic development in its downtown and enhance the rich history of the village while strengthening the community.”

The Village of Perry is known for its historic character and array of arts festivals and recreational opportunities for residents and tourists from across the state. The Downtown Historic District and several other landmarks in the community are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contributing to the unique character of the village. From the Perry Farmers’ Market to the top-30-nationally ranked Letchworth Arts and Crafts Show to the Tour de Perry, the community’s thriving arts and recreational scene continues to draw thousands of visitors to Perry and support the local economy. Over the past several years, Perry has experienced a resurgence of businesses in its downtown and completed several projects to revitalize the community, which include renovating its Public Beach, updating its Village Park with a Splash Park and completing a Main Street Improvement Project. During this time, downtown Perry has also seen a gain of 36 independent businesses, established 11 signature events and created hundreds of new jobs village wide.

Perry intends to leverage its small-town character and recreational visitors to continue to make improvements to solidify the village as a coveted first-choice hospitality hub in the Genesee Valley region. Perry seeks to realize its vision by adaptively re-using existing historic buildings, creating diverse housing options, expanding community service opportunities, supporting downtown business owners and enhancing accessible pedestrian and bicycle routes through its downtown.

The Finger Lakes 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 Perry as the nominee:

• Downtown is compact, with well-dened boundaries;
• Downtown can capitalize on prior, or catalyze future private and public investment;
• Recent or impending job growth within, or close to, the downtown that can attract workers, support redevelopment and make growth sustainable;
• Downtown is an attractive and livable community for diverse populations;
• Municipality already embraces, or has the ability to create and implement policies that increase livability and quality of life;
• Municipality conducted open and robust community engagement resulting in a vision for downtown revitalization and a preliminary list of projects and initiatives;
• Municipality has the local capacity to manage the DRI process; and
• Municipality has identied transformative projects that will be ready for near-term implementation with an infusion of DRI funds.

Perry 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.