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Up to $50 million in state funds will help counties address the housing crisis. The County Infrastructure Grant Program, administered by Empire State Development, will assist small- and medium-scale, county-led infrastructure projects across the state.
The program, available to counties outside New York City, focuses on priority capital projects that support the creation of housing, contribute to placemaking, and encourage visitation and tourism.
“Creating more quality and affordable housing throughout the state continues to be one of my top priorities in making New York more affordable and more livable,” says Gov. Kathy Hochul. “The County Infrastructure Grant Program offers an actionable blueprint for creating thriving communities by incorporating additional housing as a part of infrastructure project plans. This means that more New Yorkers can live where they want, and will encourage more businesses to establish themselves here and grow in New York because there is ample housing.”
Grants up to $500,000 are available to support priority projects identified by the county that support economic development, contribute to placemaking or encourage tourism, the state says. Up to $1 million in grants are available for projects supporting the creation of housing with 10 or more units.
“Through the County Infrastructure Grant Program, we will help make additional housing a reality, and reinforce a sense of place and vibrancy in communities that will attract more jobs, residents and visitors,” says Hope Knight, ESD president, CEO and commissioner.
Counties excluding Kings, Queens, Richmond, Bronx and New York are eligible for grants. Eligible uses of funds include construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of municipal, utility, or other public property and ancillary infrastructure to support such developments, officials say.
Extension or reconstruction of road, water, sewer, or utilities; design or engineering costs related to construction (limited to 20 percent of total project cost), and acquisition of machinery and equipment related to infrastructure projects qualify for funding. In addition, placemaking and beautification project costs are eligible, among others.
Round 1 of applications will expire April 1, 2025, or when all eligible counties have applied.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name.
See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].
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The skeptic in me reads this as the only major economic activity in CNY happens with a State grant from Albany. If you are a municipal leader , one of your major functions is to be well versed in the ‘battle of the grant forms’. (actually I’m surprised this wasn’t announced before the election, like the Restore NY Communities funding) . “more New Yorkers can live where they want” – I can see some local planning boards (especially in rural communities) pushing back on a project with the ‘low income housing’ moniker . It will be interesting to watch the interplay between these communities vs the lure of “free money” to local politicians on this subject.