The Development Chenango Corporation (DCC) was recently awarded a $600,000 grant as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to be specifically used for the Downtown Norwich Small Project Grant Fund. Norwich businesses have been approved to receive DRI grant funding totaling $458,500. ( Photos by Kelli Miller)

NORWICH — The Development Chenango Corporation (DCC) of Commerce Chenango was recently awarded a $600,000 grant as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to be specifically used for the Downtown Norwich Small Project Grant Fund.

Norwich businesses have been approved to receive grant funding totaling $458,500.

“These grants provide our businesses with the opportunity to invest in the physical appearance of the building and not take away from investing in running their businesses,” said Commerce Chenango President and CEO Salvatore Testani.

“I believe the DRI will create a downtown where people want to live, work and visit,” said Testani.

Testani explained the small grant award is a reimbursement program. When construction is complete and after review, the grant funds will be awarded. The program is a matching grant program and recipients must pay 50% of the project. Non-profits must pay 25%.

Guidelines also require recipients to identify with a minority or woman owned business from the provided list of potential Minority and Women's Business Development (MWBE) companies. Once the effort is made, business owners can find other contractors.

Testani said Erik Scrivener, from the City of Norwich, found Clinton Brown Company Architecture PC, to work with business restorations and ensure the new construction and investments made will have a positive impact on Norwich for generations to come.