Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a major boost for the Mid-Hudson Valley, with Poughkeepsie securing $10 million from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) alongside the villages like Nyack and Dobbs Ferry. The funds aim to aid in transforming these communities into vibrant, thriving neighborhoods with accessible housing for its residents.
“We are changing the game for these communities by supporting affordable housing, local businesses, and sustainable infrastructure,” Governor Hochul said in a press release. “I see a future where every New Yorker has the chance to thrive in communities around the state. I want to ensure that New York has neighborhoods that are not just places to live, but places where people can work, grow, and succeed.”
To receive DRI or NY Forward funding, localities must be certified under the Pro-Housing Communities Program, which recognizes municipalities committed to expanding housing supply. So far, 287 communities across New York have earned this designation, unlocking additional funding opportunities. Poughkeepsie’s sizeable grant was part of Round 8 of the DRI, with each of the state’s 10 economic development regions awarded $10 million through the program, to make for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding.
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Poughkeepsie’s downtown corridor, a critical hub for Dutchess County, stands to benefit greatly. From the restaurants and iconic venues like
the Bardavon Opera House, the Chance Theater, and the Mid-Hudson Civic Center that draw people to the city’s historic downtown to the rail and bus lines that connect commuters in the region, the grant’s aim to build up the Queen City’s role as a regional economic and transportation anchor.
Every year they announce efforts to revitalize Poughkeepsie. I love the town and once lived there but every time I visit from my home in the South, I am aghast at how despite efforts, Main Street continues to go downhill