WAVERLY, N.Y. (WHCU) – The Village of Waverly has won $4.5 million to revitalize its downtown area.

Building on the success of New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the NY FORWARD grant program is for smaller and rural communities to improve public spaces and other projects that elevate cultural and historical qualities.

“We are excited and grateful for the NY Forward Award for the Village of Waverly,” said Chair of the Tioga County Legislature Martha Sauerbrey. “This new opportunity will allow us to not only invest in but revitalize the Village of Waverly. It’s so important that we keep our downtowns alive, vibrant, and welcoming.”

The proposed area in Waverly will encompass the downtown central business district. Officials hope the improvements will attract new businesses, grow the local tax base, create more diverse housing and job opportunities.

“The awarding of a New York Forward Grant to the Village of Waverly is transformative,” said Waverly Mayor Patrick Ayres. “These funds will allow for the community as a whole to invest in its preferred future, collectively, as a group. Potential projects, that might never be realized, have the potential to be developed and completed by the use of these great monies. The NY Forward grant funds might also encourage additional community stakeholders to invest their own capital into projects, extending the impact of the grant.”

The Village of Montour Falls in Schuyler County is also a Southern Tier awardee in the first round of the NY Forward Grants.