On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul's office announced Norwich as a recipient of the fifth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant. This grant awards the City of Norwich $10 million to be used to transform and improve the downtown area. Pictured is Chenango County Board Supervisor George Seneck, Assemblyman Joe Angelino, Commerce Chenango Communications and Tourism Director Audrey Robinson, Norwich Mayor Shawn Sastri, a representative from Senator Fred Akshar's office, Norwich Mayor-elect Brian Doliver, Commerce Chenango President and CEO Kerri Green, and Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — On Wednesday it was announced by the office of Governor Kathy Hochul that the City of Norwich has been awarded a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant from the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (STREDC).

"I'm happy to be here today and standing in a place that really stands for New York Strong," said Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. "It's time for New York to give back to Norwich. And on behalf of Governor Hochul, it's my distinct pleasure to announce that Norwich has been awarded Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant Round Five dollars."

The funds will be used to improve the downtown Norwich area. A statement from Commerce Chenango explained the Norwich DRI area is approximately one mile long, and most of the area is within the existing Business Improvement District. It covers East and West Parks, the Chenango County Courthouse, the Chenango Arts Council, the Colonia Theater, and several local businesses and restaurants.

"Downtowns are not dead, downtowns are back, downtowns are the kind of experience you cannot get on the periphery of your communities," said Kulleseid. "It's great to see Norwich coming down with great reinvesting, doubling down, in the great Southern Tier Region."