OPEN CALL FOR DRI PROJECT PROPOSALS
Become a Project Sponsor!
The Local Planning Committee will recommend a select group of projects for funding in the Rome DRI Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). The Open Call for Projects solicits project proposals from public, private, and non-profit entities.
Open Call Forms are due by August 14th at 5:00 p.m.
The best projects will satisfy most or all of these criteria:
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Have a transformative impact on the DRI Area;
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Catalyze additional private and/or public investment;
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Provide public benefit and co-benefits beyond the project's primary purpose;
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Be ready for implementation in the near term (within 2-3 years);
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Advance the community's vision and goals;
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Align with the NYS DRI program goals and eligibility requirements; and
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Represent an effective and efficient use of public resources.
Have a proposal for a smaller scale project in the DRI Area? Submit a Small Project Fund Letter of Interest instead! Details about eligibility requirements can be found in the letter template.
Small Project Fund Interest Letter (Word file download)
Please reach out with any questions.
Getting Started:
1
Review the Open Call Form
2
Attend the Webinar - July 21st 12pm -
1 hour live informational webinar on the Open Call for Projects
and Small Project Fund interest form. The recording will be posted.
3
Schedule a Pre-Application Meeting
A DRI consultant team is available to support project sponsors! All potential applicants should arrange a meeting with the team at the beginning of the process for proposal review and support.
Please email your name, contact information and a few sentences about your project to romenydri@gmail.com with the subject line "Rome DRI Open Call" to set up a meeting.
Submitting your Proposal:
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Read the eligibility and evaluation criteria outlined in the submission form before beginning your proposal.
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Fill out a submission form, addressing each question as completely as possible
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Include relevant documentation and supplemental materials as attachments.
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Submit your proposal by August 14, 2026 at 5:00 pm in one of the following ways:
Electronic Submission (preferred):
Download the fillable PDF submission form below. Email the completed form and supplemental attachments with the subject line “Rome Waterfront DRI Submission: [Sponsor Name]” to
Aidan McKibbin
Please send large attachments (over 20 MB) as links.
Hard copy submissions:
Written or typed submissions can be submitted in hard copy to the address below. Please ensure hand writing is legible. Please mail or hand deliver the completed form with supplemental attachments to:
Attn: Matthew Andrews
Rome City Hall
198 N Washington St.
Rome, NY 13440
**Note: City Hall closes at 4:30 pm
To be considered, project proposals must be received electronically or in hard copy by the deadline and must adhere to the eligibility requirements outlined in the submission form.
Questions regarding this call for proposals may be submitted in writing to romenydri@gmail.com
Decarbonization and Historic Preservation Webinars
Certain projects funded through DRI will be required to meet the program’s decarbonization standards and consult with the State Historic Preservation Office. Informational webinars will be organized on these topics for potential project sponsors. Join one of these webinars to learn more about these program aspects and how they may affect your proposed project.
Decarbonization 101 Webinars.
Registration Link:https://meetny-gov.webex.com/webappng/sites/meetny-gov/webinar/webinarSeries/register/61429d52b30f46ccad0567bd31d65a23
August 11th at 11 AM or September 10th at 1 PM. For these webinars, projects sponsors can choose one as they are the same content.
DRI and Historic Preservation Webinar
Registration Link:https://meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r998ba6da5d2965761f4c93781554c7ff
August 20th at 1 PM
