FALCONER – The village has recently approved of submitting an application for the N.Y. Forward Grant and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative program’s grant. These would allow the village to financially assist businesses and reinvest into the area.

At the most recent village board meeting on Oct. 14, board members passed resolutions allowing the village to submit these grant applications. The NYF program was created by Governor Hochul as a means of providing resources to aid in developing the downtown portions of small and rural communities. NYF builds on the ideas of many existing DRI programs, by utilizing a similar strategy and aiding rural downtown development. While Mayor James Jaroszynski said that these grants are similar, NY Forward is more commonly dedicated to smaller municipalities. This will increase the likelihood of the town receiving funding of some sort.

The village wishes to keep the public informed and involved throughout this process, according to Jaroszynski. As a result, the grant applications will be addressed at a public meeting, which will be held on today, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m. in the Falconer Public Library. The meeting will be a public workshop open to all village residents. Jaroszynski noted that the board members wish for the public to utilize this workshop to contribute productive ideas on the future of the village. The board is looking to inform the public on the purpose of the grants, hear public ideas for projects to be included in the applications, and express community needs so projects may address those problems.

This will be the village’s third time submitting an application for the forward grant, said Jaroszynski. Jaroszynski made reference to the developmental opportunities presented to the city of Jamestown when it was announced as the recipient of $10 million in 2017 through a DRI grant program. Jaroszynski also noted a similar range of opportunities for the city of Dunkirk, which also received $10 million through DRI in 2022. While these are two large municipalities, Jaroszynski also made reference to a recent NY Forward grant received by the village of Westfield. In the third round of picks for the forward program, Westfield received $4.5 million to put towards downtown development. The village of Westfield dedicated this money toward a host of improvements to agritourism, Moore Park renovations, and historical preservations. Falconer representatives believe that a forward grant, or DRI grant in general, could contribute just as much towards the important preservations and growth needed for their village, as it has to so many other municipalities.

Jaroszynski stated that the previous forward application contained about six core projects, with multiple additional downtown projects to be added this time. These projects would directly contribute towards businesses or upgrades within the downtown area. Jaroszynski mentioned one business owner who is looking to put an elevator in his building. Jaroszynski noted that this project could be something the village would have the ability to assist with should it receive this grant. This would allow this individual more tenancy space, bringing more people into the downtown area and improving accessibility to name just some benefits.

The Monday meeting will allow the chance for public comments pertaining to the applications to be voiced before the official submission. For more information contact 716-665-4400.