DUNKIRK — Success was seen last year as the city of Dunkirk received $2.5 million from the state for downtown revitalization projects. This year, the city’s hoping to obtain additional funding — specifically the $10 million grand prize — to pursue more economic growth.

City officials are sending an application through the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative’s third round of funding. Each region in the state is awarded funding with the winner in each area receiving $10 million.

City Council recently unanimously approved to authorize the mayor to finalize and send its application to the state. Mayor Willie Rosas said the city has many projects underway, and more funding would continue the work to revitalize the central business district and waterfront.

“Our planning and development department is really working hard in putting in a really good proposal,” Rosas said. “We remain hopeful that we’ll do well and we’ll win.”

Rosas said the city’s receiving attention from the state between the funding received last year and the investment by Athenex.

“I think because of Athenex, we have a very good chance to be successful with that grant proposal,” he said.

The $2.5 million that the city received last year is going to support the Central Connection project, which is expected to begin this year, and the city’s Pier Improvements project, which is slated for next year.

Chautauqua County’s other city, Jamestown, received the $10 million DRI award in September 2016. Funds are being utilized toward construction of a DoubleTree Hotel, upgrades to the Robert H. Jackson Center and the development of Jamestown Brewing Company, to name a few projects.

In addition, the city is preparing to submit other applications to the state through the Consolidated Funding Application. The CFA was implemented several years ago by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to improve the economic development model while streamlining and expediting the grant application process.

Rebecca Yanus, city director of planning and development, told the Economic Development Committee last week that the county is submitting an application for kayak launches. The city is one of several communities that were approached by the county about the idea. The cost for a launch is around $31,000. If awarded funding, the state would supply $23,500.

“It’s another feather in our cap for having recreation and promoting recreational activity in the community,” Yanus said.

E.J. Hayes, deputy director of planning and development, said they’re also submitting applications in hopes to obtain a grant for Phase 2 of improvements at Wright Park, a Main Street grant to improve facades in the business district and a Market NY grant to support city events and festivals.