The New York State Department of State announced this week that nearly $20 million in funding is now available for community planning and development programs through the 2026 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The funding supports three signature programs including the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, the Smart Growth Community Planning Program, and the Brownfield Opportunity Area Program. These initiatives form part of the state’s broader economic development and community revitalization strategy alongside the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs.
Applications are being accepted through the State’s Consolidated Funding Application with a deadline of July 31 at 4pm. The Department of State serves as New York’s official land use planning entity and provides various programs designed to help communities become more vibrant, equitable, resilient and accessible for all residents regardless of age, ability, background or income.
The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program is allocated $13.975 million to support community-driven waterfront revitalization plans. This program helps communities develop visions for their waterfronts, identify implementation projects, and establish coastal policies to guide future planning and infrastructure development. The initiative also funds watershed management plans that protect and restore water quality. Projects focus on expanding public waterfront access while protecting the environment and boosting tourism, economic development, and community resilience. Funding covers planning, design and construction projects that prioritize accessible economic, environmental and recreational improvements.
The Brownfield Opportunity Area Program receives $2 million to transform brownfield sites from environmental liabilities into vibrant community assets. These neighborhoods or areas within communities that have been negatively affected by real or perceived environmental conditions can be redeveloped through planning grants submitted to the New York State Secretary of State for approval. Currently, 86 brownfield opportunity areas have been designated across New York State. The program also provides grants for pre-development activities including environmental studies, housing and economic studies, infrastructure analyses, marketing strategies, phase II environmental site assessments, and countywide brownfield inventories and assessments.
The Smart Growth Community Planning Grant Program is allocated $4.8 million to help communities develop municipal and county-wide comprehensive plans, targeted area plans and zoning ordinances. Awarded communities must incorporate smart growth principles into their planning and zoning, including walkable and bikeable streetscapes, transit-friendly designs, compact mixed-use community layouts, vibrant downtowns, diverse housing options for all income levels and abilities, safe accessible public spaces, parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, and clean energy initiatives. This year the program partners with the Office of Children and Family Services on the Child Care Friendly Zoning Initiative, which incorporates childcare-friendly practices into planning and zoning projects.
New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley emphasized that these programs alongside the downtown revitalization initiative and NY Forward represent the state’s community and economic development strategy. The programs empower communities to invest and build places where residents want to live, work and thrive.
The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline the grant application process and reduce bureaucracy. It serves as a single entry point for economic development funding, eliminating the need for applicants to navigate multiple agencies and sources. Regional Economic Development Councils, established in 2011 as public-private partnerships, review projects and provide scores that reflect alignment with regional goals and strategies. The ten regional councils are composed of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government and non-governmental organizations.
All three programs are funded through Title 11 of the State’s Environmental Protection Fund. Governor Kathy Hochul increased this fund from $300 million to $400 million in 2022, then raised it again to a record $425 million in 2024. The Department of State encourages applicants to address accessibility for people of all ages and abilities and resilience to climate change in their applications. Resources including brochures on accessibility features and lists of potential projects with cost ranges are available to assist applicants.
