MASSENA — Massena officials have signed off on participation in a federal and state Department of Transportation Program that could net the village thousands of dollars for infrastructure upgrades. 

According to Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller, the village was contacted by the state DOT to take part in a pilot program known as the Thriving Communities regional pilot program. 

Miller said he responded and received correspondence shortly after that the village was accepted into the program. 

Following acceptance, Miller said he was tasked with selecting a project for the village that fit the DOT requirements, which inevitably led to the North Main Street Project, which has been in the works for a few months now. 

Miller said it is his hope to make it a complete green street “to help infuse more grant funding along with the DRI funding” into the project “along with everything else that’s going on in the village.” 

Miller said he was already working on the project with the Adirondack Agency prior to the DOT reaching out to take part in the new pilot project. 

“I thought it was a pretty good time to put that out there,” he said. 

The $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative was awarded to the village of Massena in Dec. 2021 and includes funding for streetscape improvements, along with business investments and tourism promotion efforts. 

Projects for the DRI grant have largely been selected, however local businesses are still able to apply for funding through the Core of the Community fund, established with the DRI. 

The program, which stems from the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), provides an opportunity for businesses in the DRI zone to apply for a grant between $10,000 to $50,000, officials say.

Massena was awarded the $10 million DRI grant in Dec. 2021 and has since finalized a number of projects for consideration for funding. The Core of the Community Grant program, which was a centerpiece of the application, will provide $540,000 in grant funding to a number of businesses throughout the village, officials said at the time.

"This fund is a testament to the village's commitment to economic development and architectural heritage," village officials wrote in a press release.

The grants can be used for a wide range of downtown enhancements, including but not limited to new signage, awnings, development of commercial interiors, apartment renovations, storefront and facade improvements, masonry work on brick facades and modernization of plumbing, HVAC and electrical, officials say.

Other opportunities for applicants include acquiring new permanent machinery and equipment, as well as the creation of murals or public art installations "that reflect Massena's vibrant community spirit," officials say.

Interested business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply by visiting the village of Massena website at www.massena.us.

A full list of details related to the grant application process, eligibility requirements and submission guidelines are available on the village website, officials say.

For assistance or inquiries about completing the application, contact LaBella Associates' Senior Planner Jamie Konkoski at jkonkoski@labellapc.com or (518) 491-9884.