General Resources and Information

City of Rome Round 9 DRI Winning Application

Downtown Revitalization Initiative Interactive Guidebook - Please click this link to download the Round 9 guidebook which provides detailed information on the DRI program

Round 9 DRI FAQs

NYS Complementary Funding Opportunities

Project Sponsor Resource List Mohawk Valley (2023)

Small Project Fund Resources

Village of Schoharie Round 8 Strategic Investment Plan - example of a completed Strategic Investment Plan from Round VIII of the DRI.

For general information about the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) program, please visit https://www.ny.gov/Programs/Downtown-Revitalization-Initiative.

For building decarbonization guidance refer to the DRI Decarbonization Webpage.

Waterfront DRI Area Boundary

The DRI Area must be a compact, walkable urban core that is well-defined. The boundary is important as all potential projects must fall inside this boundary to be eligible for DRI funds or Small Project Funds (if a Small Project Fund is awarded). The boundary will be finalized by the LPC later on in the process. Below is the latest boundary map.

Local Planning Committee (LPC)

Co-Chairs:

Jeffrey M. Lanigan, Mayor, City of Rome
Charles Green, Member, Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Committee; President and CEO of Assured Information Security, Inc

Members

Robert Angelicola, Representative, NAACP Rome NY Branch
Steven Bulger, CEO, Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN)
Jennifer DeWeerth, Dean of the Rome Campus, Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC)
Alicia Dicks, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties
Lori Frieden, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Faith Properties
Bruce Hairston, Executive Director, Rome Area Chamber of Commerce
Tami Lucia, Executive Director, Rome Housing Authority
Danielle Martin, Executive Director, Connect-Ed
Amy O'Shaughnessy, VP of Sales & Marketing, Revere Copper Products, Inc.
Cameron Stewart, Realtor, Homes by Cameron Stewart

About the DRI Program

The DRI is led by the New York State Department of State, in close partnership with Empire State Development, (ESD) NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Ten communities are nominated annually by the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) based on a competitive application process. Each community receives $10 million to develop a downtown strategic investment plan and implement key catalytic projects that advance the community’s vision for revitalization.

Compact, walkable downtowns are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

Rome was announced as a Round Nine DRI awardee for the Mohawk Valley Region in April 2026. Building on the Round 2 DRI award, the new DRI area is focused on the Downtown Rome Brownfield Opportunity Area, where the former General Cable Complex and the East Rome neighborhoods converge along East Dominick Street. Once part of a historic trade route, Dominick Street later became a traditional main street corridor and remains an important connection point within the city. Today, the area is well positioned to strengthen links between neighborhoods, businesses, and waterfront destinations. Framed by nearly two miles of canal and riverfront, the district offers a unique setting where recreation, history, and everyday life intersect. Public spaces, trails, and gathering places along Bellamy Harbor and the Mohawk River already attract residents and visitors for both daily use and community events.