Empire State Development to hold public update on Niagara Falls Strategic Economic Development Initiative

July 20 Zoom meeting will review next steps for Niagara Street, Main Street, Portage Road & Pine Avenue funding initiative

Empire State Development (ESD), its USA Niagara Development Corp. (USAN) subsidiary, and the City of Niagara Falls will meet to review and discuss next steps for the new Niagara Falls Strategic Economic Development Initiative on Wednesday, July 20. The virtual information session will be conducted via Zoom from 6-7 p.m. The initiative aims to spur investment on targeted commercial areas along Niagara Street, Main Street, Portage Road and Pine Avenue.

Those wishing to join the July 20 session by computer or smartphone can register to receive a meeting link using the link below:

https://buffalo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpdeyppjojGtSk72OrDLW2Mw8L1gu1egOP.

A press release explained that, since the initiative’s last virtual stakeholder meeting, held in October 2021, the state has been coordinating with various agencies and philanthropic organizations to examine potential fund support for more than 65 proposed project idea submissions, and input from several dozen listening sessions with local businesses, property owners and community organizations.

Niagara Falls Strategic Economic Development Initiative projects will support enhancement of mixed-use, walkable commercial corridors; growth of new businesses and entrepreneurship; increased connection to the waterfront and existing state and private investments; and growth of tourism by increased connections between downtown and adjoining neighborhoods.

For more information the Niagara Falls Strategic Economic Development Initiative, visit https://buffalobillion.ny.gov/niagara-falls-strategic-economic-development-fund.

ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). For more information, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.