Grant Headquarters
Welcome to the latest edition of the Lewis County Planning & Community Development Grant Newsletter. Below you will find a non-exhaustive list of grant & funding updates, training opportunities, important updates, and latest grant awards and initiatives within our department.
Completed Project Spotlight
Bonaparte Pharmacy
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Canal Basin Park
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Constableville Recreational Center
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Cedar Bridge Properties, Double Play Batting Cages and Homes Realty Display
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Chuck’s Market
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Croghan Free Library
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Project, Round 2
Crumbs. Bakeshop
Facade and Streetscapes Improvement Program, Round 2
Good Ol’ Wishy’s
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Krista Brown Photography
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
National Abstract
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Old Key Bank
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Shut the Front Door, LLC – Rental Property
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 2
Town of Diana Historical Museum
Facade and Streetscape Improvement Program, Round 1
Tug Hill Artisan Roasters
New York Main Street and Restore New York Funding
This is an ongoing project, with more improvements still to come!
West Leyden Pocket Park
Facade and Streetscapes Improvement Program, Round 2
Grant & Funding Opportunities
Updated: October 21, 2024
Restore NY Round 9 Funding
Round 9 of municipal grant funding for the Restore New York Communities Initiative is open. Restore NY aims to provide financial assistance for the revitalization of communities through the elimination and redevelopment of blighted residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties and structures.
NYS local government entities (counties, cities, towns, and villages) are invited to apply. Municipalities can sub-grant to a private entity but must themselves be the named the applicant and recipient of any awarded funding.
Projects involving the demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation, and/or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned, or surplus properties are eligible under this program
Water and Waste Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program
The Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program has been established to assist communities with water or wastewater systems through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipients. Qualified private non-profit organizations will receive TAT grant funds to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems in rural areas, assist applicants in preparing applications for water and waste grants made at the State level offices, and improve operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas.
Disadvantaged Community Air Pollution Mitigation Opportunity
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce funding for projects that will implement State assistance funding through the Disadvantaged Community Air Pollution Mitigation Grant program to support Indian Nations/Tribal Organizations and not-for-profit(NFP) community-based organizations in Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) and Environmental Justice (EJ) Areas for projects that address ambient air pollution mitigation strategies. The focus should be on evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation strategies so that effective strategies can be replicated in other communities across the State. The data collected will be made publicly available.
Community Environmental Education Center Grant
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Environmental Justice are providing $7 million in competitive grant funding for community based, not-for-profits and Tribal Organizations that will implement the support of new construction or renovation of a facility to create a Community Environmental Education Center (Center).
The Center should inspire exploration, discovery, and learning about the community’s environment. Eligible projects for grant funding must be located within or serve a Disadvantaged Community (DAC) and/or an Environmental Justice (EJ) Community.
Solid Waste Management Grant Program
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Grant Program has been established to assist communities through free technical assistance and/or training provided by the grant recipients. Qualified organizations will receive SWM grant funds to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources in rural areas, and improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas.
Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofits, federally recognized tribes, and academic institutions
Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Grant
This DEC program is designed to assist municipalities in starting or expanding municipal food scraps recycling programs. Approximately $1,250,000 is available for funding of Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, local public authorities, local public benefit corporations, school districts, and Native American tribes.
Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant Program
The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants for lead reduction projects in disadvantaged communities in two National Priority Areas as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The EPA expects to make at least one award under each National Priority Area but may redistribute the awards differently based on the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. Awards made under the funding opportunity are intended to promote public health and support the Justice40 initiative by addressing conditions that contribute to increased concentrations of lead in drinking water. Proposed projects must include at least one or more disadvantaged community. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the proposed project:(i) is in and/or benefits a disadvantaged community(ies); (ii) benefits drinking water systems with at least one lead action level exceedance within the last three years or addresses lead levels in drinking water in schools/childcare facilities; and (iii) supports the Justice40 initiative. Please see the NOFO for further details.
Lewis County Façade & Streetscape Program
This program aims to revitalize the historic character and attractiveness of villages and hamlets in Lewis County. This program will provide 75/25 matching funds for eligible improvements to mixed-use and commercial buildings and streetscape enhancements in Lewis County’s villages and hamlets. Together, these improvements will help business
growth and retention, enhance tourism, increase spending in the local economy, and reduce
the number of blighted and vacant properties.
For Round 4, there is a total of $150,000 in funding available.
State and Private Forestry Landscape Scale Restoration Grant
The USDA Forest Service seeks to fund collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes which align with State Forest Action Plans.
Helpful Links:
Webinar Registration: Thursday, August 29, 2:00-3:30 PM
Regenerate NY Forestry Cost Share Grant
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced a fourth round of the state’s Regenerate NY grant program. $500,000 is available for eligible private forest landowners to plant trees, to mitigate climate change, provide wildlife habitat, protect air and water quality, and supply a critical renewable resource. Private landowners planning to restore or establish five or more acres of forest land in New York State may apply for grant awards ranging from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000.
EPA | Environmental & Climate Justice Community Change Grant Program
This program supports comprehensive community and place-based approaches to addressing environmental & climate injustices. These concentrated local investments will fund community-driven, change-making projects that center collaborative efforts for healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities.
Naturally Lewis | Vacant Property Revitalization Fund
Lewis County is targeting vacant and potentially unsafe or blighted properties within downtown areas to turn them into usable spaces for business development opportunities. Grant awards up to $100,000 are available.
Rural Energy for America Program
USDA Rural Development provides grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grant and guaranteed loan combinations through the REAP program to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and helps meet the Nation’s critical energy needs.
Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance
Deadline January 31, 2025
Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling Program
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will administer funding to local government entities for waste reduction and recycling projects in order to assist municipalities to expand or improve local waste reduction and recycling.
NYSERDA Charging Station Rebate | Charge Ready NY 2.0
Get reimbursed for $4,000 per charging port installed at a public facility, or $2,000 per charging station installed at a workplace or multi-dwelling location.
NYS Septic Replacement Program | Program Area Expanded!
Get reimbursed for 50% of your septic system project, up to $10,000.
Clean Energy Communities Program
The CEC program provides the tools and resources you need to take your community to the next level, with new High Impact Action items and increased access to grant funding.
Orton Family Foundation Community Heart & Soul Grant
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program is designed for small cities and towns (population 2,500-30,000) provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization.
Emergency Relief Funding Opportunities for Small Businesses
Naturally Lewis has curated an ongoing list of local grant and loan opportunities for businesses impacted by the severe flooding and extreme weather of early-to-mid July.
Statewide Community Regrant Program
Grants are project-based and support cultural programming in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties of New York State.
Individual artists, municipalities, libraries, and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations can apply directly. Others may be eligible to apply with the help of a sponsoring organization.
Training Opportunities & Resources
Each year public works officials and municipal engineers from around the state come together at the Public Works School to share ideas, learn from practitioners and develop successful strategies. Each year this conference includes sessions on the topics of greatest relevance to city and village public works officials. Informal networking opportunities also allow attendees to casually meet and learn from their peers.
📅 October 21-23, 2024
📍Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs
Lewis County has been awarded $499,668 through the NYS DOS County-Wide Shared Services Initiative Project Implementation (CWSSIPI) funds, received in January 2023. These funds will significantly enhance our local government operations with two key initiatives:
1. Digital Codification of Municipal Laws
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Purpose: Improve accessibility, transparency, and efficiency in legal matters.
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Contractor: General Code
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Benefits:
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Clear, accessible online municipal codes
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Editorial and legal analysis to streamline existing codes
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Hosted on the innovative eCode360 platform
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Customized print copies of the new code
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Examples of Municipalities already using the eCode360 Platform:
2. Website and Secure Email Setup for Local Officials
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Purpose: Enhance communication and operational efficiency.
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Contractor: Coughlin Printing via the Civally platform
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Benefits:
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Tailored websites for each municipality
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Secure ‘.gov’ email addresses
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Features: Notice posting, event updates, meeting minutes, and more
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Mobile-friendly, accessible, and secure
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Example of local municipality using the Civally platform:
This initiative will empower our communities with modern tools for better governance and citizen engagement. For more details or next steps, contact our office!
Join this insightful webinar on how local governments can reduce costs and optimize resources. Discover how municipalities like yours are leveraging technology to enhance service delivery, reduce operational costs, and generate lasting ROI.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn actionable steps to reduce operational costs and increase community engagement
- Explore how digital tools can streamline inspections and reporting
- Understand the financial and operational benefits of digital management solutions
- Hear real-world case studies and success stories from municipalities
- Engage in interactive polls
Reserve your spot today! If you can’t attend, register to gain access to the video replay and watch it at your convenience.