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Attention New York Main Street Administrators!
The NY Main Street Regional Meeting for Northern New York will be held in Boonville
on Thursday June 19th. Click here for details.
New York Main Street provides financial resources and technical assistance to communities to strengthen the economic vitality of the State's traditional Main Streets and neighborhoods. The NY Main Street grant program provides funds from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) to business improvement districts and other not-for-profit organizations that are committed to revitalizing historic downtowns, mixed-use neighborhood commercial districts, and village centers.
New York's Main Streets are in transition. While many downtown and neighborhood retail districts have seen new life, with significant investment in the development of civic, commercial and residential projects, others have not yet experienced this trend. Many of these communities can once again thrive with proper management and strategic investment of public and private resources.
The New York Main Street grant program is a "bricks and mortar" program that provides funding for building renovations, façade and streetscape improvements and, in limited cases, capital funding for projects intended to anchor downtown districts. The program also provides technical assistance and other resources to support community revitalization efforts.
The Housing Trust Fund Corporation, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Departments of State, of Transportation, and the Empire State Development Corporation collaborate to provide technical resources to assist local development corporations, business improvement districts, and other organizations with their Main Street revitalization efforts.
Please explore the New York Main Street website and join the growing list of communities in the Empire State that are seeing the economic and social benefits that a concerted Main Street revitalization effort can bring to the community.
Since 2004, the New York Main Street Program has provided over $33 million dollars for local programs in more than 130 communities across the State. Main Street grants are revitalizing our downtowns through targeted commercial/residential improvements such as facade renovations, interior residential building upgrades and streetscape enhancements. Cultural anchors, such as theatres or museums, have also been renovated with Main Street funds. The maximum grant amount is $200,000 and applicants must be community-based not-for-profits. Funds are not available for new construction. To learn more about how to apply for a New York Main Street Grant click here. |
Is NY Main Street the right program for my community?
If your organization can meet the following criteria, NY Main Street might be the answer for you:
Eligible Applicants - The entity that applies for and manages the NY Main Street Program in the community must be incorporated under the Not-for-Profit Corporation law and meet certain eligibility requirements. Click here for details.
Eligible Areas - Each local Main Street program must be carried out in a concentrated target area that has experienced sustained physical deterioration and disinvestment. Click here for more information on target area eligibility.
Capacity - Viable Main Streets are brought about by strong organizations. This requires technical capacity and active citizen involvement. Applicants that receive funding for NY Main Street activities (referred to as Local Program Administrators) will have demonstrated the capacity to manage a program over the long term, and to make a difference in the community.
Economic diversification - Just like any business, each Main Street program needs a strategy to achieve its goals. The strategy must include baseline data and continuous evaluation so impact can be measured. Local programs are expected to follow a sound strategy for revitalization based on detailed analysis and rigorous monitoring.
Affordable housing - An important goal of the NY Main Street Program is establishing the residential sector in targeted areas. The district should have a mix of housing that is affordable to all income levels. A secondary goal is reestablishing market rate housing in weak market communities.
Preserving the community's building stock - The appearance and functionality of Main Street buildings will determine the success of revitalization efforts. This requires attention to historic preservation but also investments that will prolong the useful life of Main Street buildings, such as energy conservation, accessibility modifications, health and safety improvements (including lead paint hazard control), building code compliance, and interior modifications to make buildings functional for today's needs. Local Main Street programs will have a strong bricks and mortar emphasis, and local administrators will have extensive experience with construction and rehabilitation of existing buildings.
Getting the word out - Marketing the district - and making sure that all groups have equal access to housing that is improved with program funds - is essential to the health of the district. Main Streets have to compete with malls, the internet, and all of the options that consumers have today. Successful marketing and outreach will encompass a wide range of people (potential customers, new residents, and investors) and will thus promote the diversity that marks a thriving community.
Local administrators will see that the district is promoted through an on-going, effective promotional program. The program must be successful at convincing both district business and property owners of the benefits of New York Main Street and at ensuring the revitalized district is welcoming to all.
