SCAM ALERT
Fairport seeks $10 million state grant for village improvements
A sidewalk on Main Street in Fairport is pictured Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Giovine/WHAM)
Fairport, N.Y. (WHAM) — The Village of Fairport is vying for $10 million from New York state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
The canalside village is in the brainstorming phase of potential projects, and is welcoming ideas and partners.
“It’s one grant given out per Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council region,” said Bryan White, Fairport’s village manager. “There are 10 regions in the state, and we’re vying for that $10 million grant.”
White said the money could help spark projects that would otherwise struggle to get off the ground.
“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant assists small local governments like this with catalyst money to help downtowns grow for economic vitality, to assist projects — especially in the private sector that may not have enough capital to get going — and to incentivize those property owners and developers to take on certain projects and rehabilitation projects,” White said.
White said the state is primarily looking for housing-based projects.
“If we can provide some applications and some project proposals that have some mixed use or other type of housing opportunities within a downtown commercial corridor, I think that makes our applications much stronger with respect to the state seeing us as a viable candidate for the DRI,” he said.
Projects to improve recreation, walkability and bicycling are also welcome. Fairport hopes to submit its application to the state in October or November, and will know early next year if it’s a finalist.
White said the village welcomes all ideas as it competes for the funding.
“Not every project that comes through is going to be rewarded or considered, and that’s OK,” he said. “But we want to make sure that we put our best foot forward and any projects and opportunities that are there, at least we vet them.”