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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $200 million in funding is available through the State’s two signature downtown revitalization and economic development programs — $100 million each for Round 7 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Round 2 of the NY Forward program, which focuses on revitalizing smaller and rural downtowns. This year’s funding brings the total amount of State investment across all rounds of the programs to $1 billion since 2016. Together, the two programs have awarded $800 million in funding to 93 communities across every region of the state. Applications are available on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward websites. The deadline to apply is September 29 at 4 p.m.   

“These two programs have created a wave of revitalization that is sweeping across the state with no signs of slowing,” Governor Hochul said. “The programs are not only reinvigorating downtowns, but they are also making our regions and the state as a whole a world-class destination for businesses, families and tourists. The programs are fulfilling the original vision for the DRI of creating a critical mass of vibrant downtowns of all shapes, sizes and characters in each region to entice businesses to invest and locate in New York State.” 

Governor Hochul also hosted the state’s first-ever forum in Syracuse on the past, present and future of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and NY Forward programs. The forum, entitled “A Retrospective for the Future of the State’s DRI and NY Forward Communities,” featured mayors from communities selected in the first five rounds of the DRI, as well as private stakeholders engaged and invested in the DRIs, who will provide advice, insights, lessons-learned and recommendations to inform the future of the two programs and educate prospective applicants on the benefits of participating.  

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. THE SALES TAX RECEIPTS REPORT AT MIDYEAR.  FROM NY DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION & FINANCE.OBSERVATION & ANALYSIS BY JOHN F. BAILEY JULY 25, 2028:

THE FIRST 6 MONTHS SALES TAX RECEIPTS ARE IN.

WHITE PLAINS AND WESTCHESTER ARE APPROXIMATELY EVEN IN SALES TAX COLLECTION RECEIPTS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. WHITE PLAINS HAS GONE UP 1% AFTER THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 2023. WHITE PLAINS HAS  $27.5 MILLION  –1% AHEAD OF THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 2022.

IF THE CITY CONTINUES THE PACE OF LAST YEAR THE CITY WILL SET A SALES TAX RECEIPTS RECORD OF  55.9 MILLION.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY HAS BROUGHT IN $429 MILLION IN 6 MONTHS…DOWN 1% IF THAT TREND DOES NOT SWING UP AND REMAINS THE SAME THE COUNTY WILL BANK  $882.5  MILLION BELOW THE OVER 900 MILLION THEY HAVE BUDGETED.

THE QUESTION IS WHY ARE SALES TAX RECEIPTS ONLY EVEN WHEN WE ARE TOLD INFLATION IS AROUND 4%.

PERHAPS THE HIGHER INTEREST RATES ARE HURTING LOANS ON MAJOR PERCHASES AND CREDIT CARD DEBT IS HURTING THE CONSUMER  THE ECONOMY IS SLOW.

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District 92 | News You Can Use     Flexible Loans for New York’s Small Businesses Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the New York Forward Loan Fund 2 program for qualifying small businesses and nonprofits. After broadening criteria for qualifications, and with even greater resources allocated for the program, the enhanced fund represents an expanded commitment to New York State’s small businesses. Qualified recipients with fewer than 100 employees and less than $5 million in gross annual revenue can apply for loans up to $150,000 with affordable, fixed-rate interest rates. Part of New York’s State Small Business Credit Initiative efforts led by Empire State Development, the fund will be in place for the next eight years and will focus on helping small businesses and nonprofits, particularly those in low-income and historically underbanked communities and rural areas access flexible working capital to cover a wide range of expenses, from payroll and marketing to facility renovations. Additionally, free support services from experts will work with businesses throughout the life of the loan. Interested businesses can pre-apply here.     Veterans’ Services Benefits Advisors The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services has experienced Veterans’ Services Benefit Advisors ready to help complete applications, obtain necessary documentation, file claims for veterans’ benefits and more. To schedule an appointment with a Veterans’ Services Benefit Advisor, visit https://veterans.ny.gov/.     Home & Business Damage Self-Reporting In collaboration with affected counties, New York State has developed an online form allowing residents to self-report damages to their homes and/or businesses. The purpose of this form is solely to collect information that may help State and local officials identify supplemental damages to develop and augment potential requests for available federal assistance programs. Please note that this form is not an application for relief programs. If you experienced storm damage due to the recent heavy rainfall, I encourage you to respond to the survey. You can access the online form here.       Kingsland Point Park Public Hearing Representatives from Westchester County and the Village of Sleepy Hollow will be holding a public forum to discuss the future of Kingsland Point Park. You can share your views with them by email to communications@westchestercountyny.gov. More information is available here.

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WPCNR WASHINGTON REPORT. From Senator Kirsten Gillebrand. july 22, 2023:

In the wake of severe flooding that devastated the Hudson Valley, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand brought Senior Advisor to President Biden and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu to Mount Vernon for a roundtable discussion with state and local leaders on federal investments in resilient infrastructure. Senator Gillibrand is committed to helping the Hudson Valley recover from the flooding and her visit with Mitch Landrieu will help support infrastructure investment throughout the region.

Senator Gillibrand and Mitch Landrieu were joined by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, State Senator Shelley Mayer, State Senator Nathalia Fernandez, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow, Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, Assemblymember Chris Burdick, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne and Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

“This week, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the devastation from the recent flooding in the Hudson Valley,” said Senator Gillibrand.

“As climate change makes severe storms like this one more frequent, we have to rebuild smarter – that means investing in climate resilient infrastructure that can weather floods, hurricanes, blizzards, and other extreme weather events. I’m proud to have delivered millions in federal funding to upgrade New York’s roads and bridges, but there is still more to do. This roundtable was an opportunity for me and for Coordinator Landrieu to hear directly from local leaders about the most pressing needs facing their communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with all leaders present today to build stronger, more resilient infrastructure in the Hudson Valley and beyond.” 

“As the former Mayor of New Orleans, I know all too well the devastation that can follow a severe storm and flooding, and I know the tireless work it takes to rebuild communities back better than ever before,” said Senior Advisor to President Biden and White House Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator Mitch Landrieu. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda as well as the leadership of Senator Gillibrand and Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard, we are making historic investments in resilience across the Hudson Valley. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to continuing our efforts to ensure that when extreme weather hits, our infrastructure stands strong.”

“Resilient infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving society, weathering the storms of uncertainty and adversity. It forms the bedrock of progress, safeguarding communities, and empowering economies to withstand challenges and emerge stronger than before. In an ever-changing world, investing in resilient infrastructure is a testament to our commitment to a sustainable and secure future. I am grateful to Senator Gillibrand for bringing together such a powerful and committed group of leaders to ensure local, county, state, and federal governments are moving in lockstep toward strengthening our infrastructure now and for the future.” State Senator Nathalia Fernandez.

“New York State has some of the oldest infrastructure in the county, which is why the need for repair here is so great. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gives us an important opportunity to make the lives of our residents better in the day-to-day ways that people expect of their government. Our roads, trains, broadband, and sewers need to be in good working order, and they need to function despite the heavier rainfalls and extended heatwaves that are becoming commonplace in our region. The people of Mount Vernon, or anywhere else, should never again have to encounter raw sewage in their basements due to a lack of funding for infrastructure maintenance. I thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership in seeing that New York receives its fair share if infrastructure investment, while also seeking to address the disparities that have plagued our most impacted communities.” Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky.

“I am delighted that Senator Gillibrand and White House Senior Advisor & Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu were here in Westchester to address our pressing infrastructure needs. Top amongst those needs in my district is the implementation of the key I 684/84 Department of Transportation study, which identifies a means of solving the severe congestion at the 684/84 interchange that is leading to traffic overflowing onto local roads. We also have recently seen our share of flooding and storm damage, which will only increase due to climate change. I was glad to participate in a fruitful discussion on the growing infrastructure needs of Westchester.” Assemblymember Chris Burdick.

“Westchester County is home to many thoroughfares that are named after bodies of water – so when it rains, we are always susceptible to major flooding. The same can be said for many of our municipalities, even if they aren’t named after bodies of water. Events like this bring even greater attention to our need for federal dollars to combat the rising tide of climate change impacting our County. I thank Mitch Landrieu, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer and our entire Congressional delegation for their attention to Westchester’s needs and efforts to remedy them.” Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

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JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS JOHN IORIS, AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STEPHEN FERRI ON THE WHITE PLAINS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 20TH SEASON AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION JOHN IORIS ON ITS FUTURE

JOHN IORIS, CHAIR & PRESIDENT HAVE THEIR SAY!

THE KEY TO TURNING AROUND THE THEATRE INTO A PROFITABLE OPERATION

THE NEW SHOWS COMING UP AT WESTCHESTER’S ONLY FULLTIME PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM MAY ALSO BE SEEN WORLDWIDE ON WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG