BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – The Village of Canton has been awarded a $4.5 million NY Forward grant to enhance the village’s economic development efforts which includes the Midtown Plaza mixed-use development project.

Gov. Kathy Hochul made the announcement Tuesday morning in Lake Placid. In attendance were Mayor Michael Dalton, Canton’s Director of Economic Development Leigh Rodriguez and Village Trustee Barbara Beekman.

“This is a great day for Canton,” the mayor stated.

The village opted to not reapply for a Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant but chose to seek NY Forward funding.

 A second $4.5 million NY Forward grant was awarded to Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County.

“The Village of Canton has been preparing and planning for this opportunity for a very long time. We are proud of our community’s growth and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges that rural communities like ours face,” said Dalton.

“With broad participation from the community and strong support from area businesses, committed stakeholders and private investors, our team has assembled an ambitious set of projects that will transform Canton,” the mayor continued.

Dalton said he appreciates the value of these revitalization efforts in preparation of the work that will ensure the village’s future as a vibrant hub of the North Country.

“We thank our North Country REDC and the Governor’s office and with this grant we will now embark on the ambitious and forward-thinking developments that have been in the planning phase for years,” Dalton said.

In May 2023, the village received $2 million through the Restore New York Communities Initiative. That money will be used to demolish the dilapidated structure and help pay for asbestos abatement.

In May, the village officially assumed ownership of six parcels at 19 Miner Street from Garry Cohen, a New York City businessman, for $1,280,000. The plaza has basically sat idle since 2000 when the plaza’s anchor business, the Jubilee grocery store closed its doors. Rite Aid vacated the plaza in 2018.

The governor addressed the importance of the NY Forward funding.

“We put the seed money in and all others take interest,” the governor stated.

“Canton’s NY Forward application presented a realistic, visionary and comprehensive plan to transform blight into new mixed-use development that will offer diverse housing options, premium retail space and abundant entrepreneurial opportunities. As a community situated at the crossroads — geographically, economically and culturally — of the St. Lawrence Valley, the Village will implement a bold plan, backed by substantial private investment and community-driven planning, to elevate the downtown to a new place of commercial, cultural and entrepreneurial excellence. Project priorities include rebuilding and restoring commercial and residential buildings, beautifying Main Street and making downtown a welcoming and accessible place for everyone — residents, businesses and visitors alike,” said the governor’s office in a press release.

The plan is to turn the plaza property into a mixed-use development offering diverse housing options including a SUNY Canton Entrepreneurship Center on the first floor. The upper levels would have 45 residential units. The estimated cost of the project is $21 million. SUNY Canton has secured around $4 million toward the project.

Both State Senator Dan Stec and Assemblymember Scott Gray applauded the NY Forward awards.

“If we’re going to grow our region and help it succeed, investing in upstate communities is vital. The $4.5 million in NY Forward funding will help bring new residential and commercial opportunities to Canton and help make it an even better place to live, work or visit,” said Stec. 

“Congratulations to the communities of Canton and Alexandria Bay on their well-deserved $4.5 million NY Forward grant awards. These grants are a tribute to the visionary planning and commitment to revitalization displayed by both communities. Canton's plan to transform its downtown into a hub of housing, retail, and entrepreneurial activity is particularly commendable, promising to bring renewed vitality and prosperity to the area,” Gray remarked.