News

NORWICH - The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (STREDC) has awarded the City of Norwich a 10-Million-Dollar grant for the revitalization of downtown Norwich. Led by the Development Chenango Corporation (DCC), the Chenango County Economic Development Agency and part of Commerce Chenango, Inc., the DRI will expand and leverage the City of Norwich and work to help create an inclusive and sustainable downtown environment that works for residents, businesses, traveling professionals, tourists and students.

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative launched in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. The initiative represents an unprecedented and innovative plan-to-act strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation.

Although planning for the DRI had begun in 2020, eventually it was put on hold due to COVID constraints. In July 2021, Commerce Chenango was notified that STREDC had re-opened the regional revitalization grant for 2021 and the steering committee went back to work.
  
To collect data on local priorities, ideas and concerns, a survey was conducted as well as individual meetings with local business owners, building owners and developers. Through this process, the DRI Steering Committee was able to develop strategies and key initiatives that would be supported with the ability to build upon. Our final proposal to the Council was submitted on September 15th; a few weeks later we were notified that we were a finalist and made a final, virtual presentation, to the STREDC members on October 13th.

The proposed Norwich DRI area is roughly one mile long and a quarter-mile wide at its broadest points and are largely within the existing Business Improvement District.  This are encompasses East and West Parks, the Chenango County Courthouse, the Chenango Arts Council, the iconic Colonia Theater and many local businesses and eateries.  

Matt Caldwell, City of Norwich Common Council, stated, “My sincere thanks to Commerce Chenango for acting as the lead agency again to compose and submit the city’s best possible application package for this year’s DRI grant. Winning this award is the next step in transforming the city’s downtown area with much needed upgrades and improvements. The collaboration between the City of Norwich and Commerce Chenango has been fantastic, and it’s because of their grant writing talents and expertise that the city has this wonderful opportunity. $10 million is a game-changer for our small city, and this source of funding is one of many investments that continue to be made here. A great job by the team at Commerce Chenango, the City of Norwich staff, and others who provided input and were instrumental in securing this grant!”

Transformative opportunities incorporated into the proposal includes; establishing a business and workforce-training center, creation of a micro-retail space to support entrepreneurs, create improved accessibility and safety to downtown buildings and walkways, development of a creative hub, the development of a boutique hotel, and transformation of Norwich’s central space with access and connections to support recreational and professional use.

“I am beyond excited,” noted Commerce Chenango President & CEO, Kerri Green. “We had a great group of local leaders, city representatives, community members and businesses as a part of the steering committee. Because of the collaboration, their ideas, expertise and hard work we created a fantastic proposal. This investment will truly impact the City of Norwich, but the ripple effect will be felt across Chenango County. The infusion of ten million dollars into our downtown will create additional private investment and will shine a light on our part of the state. This is a game-changer for us and the impact on our local economy and community is endless. I am so proud to have led this process and to know that we had a part in bringing this game-changing investment to the City of Norwich. Now the really hard work begins and I can’t wait to get started!”

Thanks to Dustin Hewitt, Long Run Communications, for his expertise and guidance over the past two years of planning and a special thank you to Adrienne Zornow, who led the virtual presentation to STREDC. Additionally, we would like to thank all of the DRI Steering Committee members, everyone who submitted letters of support or provided videos, and to the community for supporting this initiative and believing that we could make this happen.