Ogdensburg Small Project Fund

The City of Ogdensburg is seeking letters of interest for the Ogdensburg Small Project Fund as part of the community's New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative planning process. The Small Project Fund is intended to support smaller-scale improvements within the Ogdensburg DRI area and to demonstrate demand for such a fund as the Local Planning Committee develops the slate of proposed DRI projects for submission to New York State. The Local Planning Committee is seeking interest from business and property owners that may participate in the program. Submission of a letter of interest does not guarantee funding and does not guarantee that a Small Project Fund will ultimately be included as part of Ogdensburg's DRI. The entity that would administer the fund, such as the municipality or a business improvement district, must also demonstrate interest and capacity to implement it. Eligible Small Project Fund activities include interior and exterior building renovations for commercial and mixed-use spaces, including facade and storefront renovations, permanently affixed signage and awnings, commercial interior fit-out, HVAC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements, and other permanent building improvements. Upper-story residential improvements are eligible, as are business assistance through permanent commercial machinery and equipment, architecture, engineering and environmental review services associated with eligible improvements, and public art. Ineligible activities include property acquisition, deferred maintenance or general repairs, working capital, landscaping, improvements to municipally owned or operated buildings, and labor performed by the participant, the participant's family, or the participant's staff. The Small Project Fund requires a minimum match equal to 25 percent of total project cost. Consequently, a participating business or property owner may receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of total eligible costs. The program operates on a reimbursement basis: participants must complete the approved project scope, pay contractors in full, and provide invoices and proof of payment before receiving reimbursement. Project awards are generally between $25,000 and $150,000 per building or project. A request of up to $200,000 may be possible when the project directly improves or creates at least two residential units. The broader DRI Project Form states that Small Project Funds are capped at $600,000 for DRI communities. Interest is directed toward business and property owners with buildings or businesses in the Ogdensburg DRI boundary that need smaller-scale improvements. The letter of interest asks the prospective participant to identify the property owned or leased, describe the proposed scope of improvements, provide an anticipated total project cost, identify individual project activities and their estimated costs, and state the total DRI funding request. Applicants acknowledge that deferred maintenance and general repairs are not eligible and that an awarded project must result in a finished space ready for occupancy upon completion of the proposed scope. Participants must also undertake improvements in accordance with applicable Ogdensburg design guidelines and building and zoning codes, State procurement and environmental requirements, and other applicable program conditions. At this stage, applicants submit a letter of interest rather than a final Small Project Fund grant application. The form expressly states that submission of the letter does not guarantee funding. If the Small Project Fund is selected for funding through DRI, an interested project participant will subsequently be required to submit an application to the entity administering the Fund. The current letter of interest therefore serves primarily to demonstrate local demand for establishing a Small Project Fund. The source does not provide separate evaluation criteria for selecting individual Small Project Fund participants at this interest stage. The completed letter of interest must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on September 8, 2026. It may be emailed to OgdensburgDRI@gmail.com. Hard copies may be mailed or hand-delivered to City Hall, 330 Ford St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669. Questions regarding the Small Project Fund may also be directed to OgdensburgDRI@gmail.com. The form states that eligible improvements must be completed in a timely manner and within 36 months of the State's grant announcement. No annual, biennial, or other recurring application schedule is stated in the supplied materials.

Describe specific permanent improvements that contribute to revitalization of the Ogdensburg DRI area; ensure proposed costs are for eligible activities rather than deferred maintenance or general repairs; provide realistic activity-level cost estimates; keep the requested reimbursement at or below 75% of total eligible costs; account for the required 25% participant match and reimbursement structure; demonstrate ability to complete and pay for the approved work before reimbursement; recognize that the current letter of interest demonstrates demand and does not guarantee funding.