BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....When Gov. Kathy Hochul was a Hamburg Town Board member, she would have been beside herself if the state kicked in $10 million to help bolster economic development efforts.
"It would have been overwhelming," Hochul said.
But, first as Lieutenant Governor and, since 2021, as Governor, Hochul has championed a pair of programs that has funneled state dollars towards smaller towns and cities to help with economic development initiatives.
And, Friday morning, Hochul allocated a combined $19 million to Jamestown and the Villages of Falconer and Hamburg for development initiatives.
Jamestown is receiving $10 million in the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative while Falconer and Hamburg are each receiving $4.5 million in New York Forward funds.
"This is a vote of confidence in our community, our residents and our future," said Falconer Mayor James Jarosynski.
Jarosynski said the funds will help aid development in Falconer's downtown.
Jamestown, nine years ago, received one of the first $10 million DRI allocations.
"It helped with their vision," Hochul said.
Those funds help leverage $57 million in private sector-backed projects in Chautauqua County's largest city.
"It shows what is possible," said Kimberly Ecklund, Jamestown mayor.
Gov. Hochul allocates $19 million to three municipalities
Gov. Hochul allocates $19 million to three municipalities
