Govenor Kathy Hochul announced $20 million in state funding for East Williamsburg on Wednesday, marking the city’s selection under the combined Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs.
The funding will support affordable housing development and strengthen the local economy over time. The award combines funding streams to reflect the scale of New York City communities.
“East Williamsburg is a neighborhood that embodies the ideals that make New York great — from family-owned restaurants to small businesses that light up the community,” Hochul said in a statement. “For the more than 60,000 New Yorkers who call this neighborhood home, the $20 million that East Williamsburg is receiving will help to build more affordable housing in the neighborhood and bolster the community’s local economy for generations to come.”
East Williamsburg is home to about 62,000 residents and blends residential blocks with industrial history and active commercial corridors. The neighborhood includes small businesses such as restaurants, shops and services, many of which are locally owned.
The investment will help improve public spaces, support housing opportunities and build on the neighborhood’s character.
The program links housing growth with neighborhood revitalization, while NYSERDA leadership emphasized modern infrastructure and sustainability in future projects.
“East Williamsburg reflects the kind of vibrant, community-driven neighborhood the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs were designed to support. This investment will help strengthen local businesses, improve public spaces, support housing, and build on the neighborhood’s unique character and industrial heritage while creating new opportunities for residents and entrepreneurs alike,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight.
A local planning committee will now develop a Strategic Investment Plan to guide how the funds are used. The plan will be shaped with input from community stakeholders and state planning teams.
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative, launched in 2016, focuses on strengthening downtowns across New York State. NY Forward expands similar investment to smaller communities, with both programs aimed at long-term economic development and neighborhood improvement.
