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Naturally Lewis Launches Vacant Property Revitalization Program

February 15, 2023

LEWIS COUNTY, NY – Naturally Lewis, in partnership with Lewis County, is targeting vacant and potentially unsafe or blighted properties within downtown areas to turn them into usable spaces for business development opportunities. The Vacant Property Revitalization Program is a one-time grant program intended to provide the support, resources and connections needed to bring a proposed project to fruition. The Lewis County Development Corporation has approximately $1,000,000 in funds for this Program, which have been made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and Lewis County. 

"Downtown spaces are vital to our communities. This partnership with Naturally Lewis and the strategic use of American Rescue Plan funds is giving us an opportunity to redevelop historical pieces of Lewis County and build modern spaces for today’s business leaders” says Ryan Piche, Lewis County Manager. 
The Vacant Property Revitalization (VPR) Program will have immediate effects on our downtowns; enhancing our communities, driving business development, and bringing residents and tourists into downtown areas. By focusing on bringing these buildings back to life, the community will see an increase in the property tax base, the creation of local construction jobs, future employment within businesses, and an enhanced quality of life. 
Projects eligible for this Program must: 
  • Reduce blight, contributing to the economic recovery of downtown areas  
  • Be a vacant building and/or floor (currently unused, or unable to be used due remediation or construction needs)  
  • Include renovation of commercial buildings resulting in occupancy through new business or residential (residential occupancy includes 2nd floors and above)  
  • Be financially feasible  
  • Show community benefit, such as increased tax base, job creation or new business development 
 Awarded projects will receive 50% of total project costs, up to $100,000 per project, and will be in the form of a reimbursement grant.  Funding will be reimbursed to the property owner once agreed upon milestones are met and the project is complete.   
To apply for the Vacant Property Revitalization Program and to read full program guidelines, complete visit https://naturallylewis.com/growing-opportunities/vpr. The application process for the Program is available in full on the Program’s webpage. The first round of Program applications are due on April 7, 2023. 
For more information on the Vacant Property Revitalization Program contact Cheyenne Steria, Director of Finance & Incentives, at cheyenne@naturallylewis.com or by phone at (315) 376-3014.