New York Main Street Program

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 matching funds for building renovations, façade and streetscape improvements, and, in limited cases, capital funding for projects intended to anchor downtown districts revitalizing historic downtowns, mixed-use neighborhood commercial districts, and village centers.

Snow Belt Housing is current administering New York Main Street programs in the Villages of Lowville, Croghan, and Lyons Falls. Snow Belt receives support from the following agencies in providing technical resources to assist Main Street revitalization efforts:

· The Housing Trust Fund Corporation

· The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal

· The New York State Offices for Small Cities, of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Departments of State, and of Transportation

· The Empire State Development Corporation

(The description of the Main Street program is adapted from the Main Street website.)