GROTON, N.Y. (WHCU) – Groton is buzzing with anticipation after the announcement of a grant award.

The village recently won a $4.5 million NY Forward grant as part of the state’s downtown revitalization initiative program. The funding is awarded to municipalities to make economic, historical, and cultural investments in downtown areas. Legislator Lee Shurtleff said the win was somewhat unexpected but credited the hard work of the committee that put the application together and the larger Groton community.

Much like the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grants for larger communities, some of Groton’s award will be set aside for state assisted planning. Input from residents will be gathered to determine which projects to invest in. Shurtleff says the village has some early ideas about what they’d like to do.

Shurtleff called the grant a shot in the arm for a community that needs it.

 

It’s the first time a municipality in Tompkins County has won a grant in the Downtown Revitalization program.