The New York State Department of State today announced nearly $20 million has been awarded to support 56 communities across the State from community planning and development programs through Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The awards will help revitalize and reenergize community waterfronts, transform brownfield and vacant and abandoned industrial sites into viable community assets; and create county, municipal and area plans and zoning ordinances that embrace the principles of Smart Growth through three Department of State programs:

Local Waterfront Revitalization Program—$14.2 million to 21 Communities

Brownfield Opportunity Area Program—$3 million to 15 Communities

Smart Growth Community Planning Program—$2.5 million to 20 communities 

Of the 56 awards, 35 (63%) will serve communities identified by the State as “disadvantaged communities.”

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