Village of Owego awarded $10 million from state revitalization initiative

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo visited Owego on Thursday, Aug. 23, to announce that the Village of Owego will receive $10 million in funding as the Southern Tier winner of the third round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI).

Participating communities are nominated by the state’s ten Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) based on a downtown’s potential for transformation. Owego now joins Elmira and Watkins Glen, which were the Southern Tier region’s winners in the first and second DRI rounds.

Traveling with Governor Cuomo was Howard Zemsky, head of New York State’s Economic Development.

Attending the event were village, town, county and state government officials, economic development and Binghamton University representatives, as well as a full house of guests at the Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center, located on Delphine Street in Owego.

The focus area for revitalization includes the historic downtown and business and residential areas on both sides of the Susquehanna River. The Village will utilize DRI funds to improve downtown living, improve the economic environment to attract business and skilled labor, incentivize cultural and entertainment activities to attract residents and visitors, as well as build upon community pride and quality of life.

The DRI is a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to transform vulnerable, vacant or forgotten areas of the state into livable, walk-able and dynamic neighborhoods, and is a component of Southern Tier Soaring, the region’s blueprint for economic growth.

At the press conference, Governor Cuomo described Owego as, “Beautiful, like a Norman Rockwell painting,” and further remarked that it is especially beautiful when the river is behaving.

Governor Cuomo shared, “Owego’s easily accessible, pedestrian-friendly downtown community makes it the ideal neighborhood for revitalization through this transformative initiative,” adding, “With retail, businesses and restaurants right on the waterfront, this investment will unlock Owego’s true potential, making it a destination for all New Yorkers and help the Southern Tier continue to soar.”

Cuomo also commented, “This funding provides downtowns with new opportunities to rebuild for 21st Century needs and fosters growth that will be felt across the entire region.”

During a recent conversation with Lockheed Martin Representatives, Zemsky shared that a top request focused on place-based investments in order to attract the millennial generation, or in other words, “Invest in our downtown area.”

Tioga County Legislative Chair, Marte Sauerbrey, took the stage and shared, “Today is a great day for Owego, Tioga County, and the entire Southern Tier.”

Sauerbrey continued, “The Downtown Revitalization monies will only further cement Owego as a beautiful downtown destination and gateway to the Finger Lakes, Ithaca and Watkins Glen areas.”

Sauerbrey also thanked Governor Cuomo for his support of more recent flash flooding in the area as well as acknowledged his previous help in providing state resources after the 2011 flood.

Sauerbrey also thanked Team Tioga for their support with the application process, and added, “Today’s award will help promote economic development, attract business and transform our existing infrastructure while capitalizing on Owego’s historic charm and riverfront beauty.”

Sauerbrey concluded, “Combine that with determination and resiliency of the community, and you’ve got a winner!”

Owego will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan and forming a Planning Committee.

Owego’s application can be read at www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Owego_DRI_THREE.pdf.