Hamlet of Keeseville NY Forward Project Form

The Hamlet of Keeseville has been awarded funds through the New York State NY Forward program to fund catalytic projects in the downtown to spur revitalization. The Local Planning Committee (LPC) is seeking project proposals from the public for potential projects to be included in the Hamlet of Keeseville's Strategic Investement Plan. Projects included in the Strategic Investment Plan will be reviewed by New York State and may receive funding from a total allocation of $4.5 million. Applicants are encouraged to consult the NY Forward Program Guidebook for details on project eligibility, selection criteria, and application requirements.

Project proposals must be received by:

Friday, July 25th at 12:00 PM

An informational meeting to learn about the Open Call for Projects and eligibility requirements will be held in-person on:

June 12, 2025 at 12:30 to 2:30 PM,

Ausable Town Hall, 111 Ausable St, Keeseville, NY 12944

1. Review the Eligibility Criteria and Project Requirement

on pages 3-4 learn about requirements for projects and to make sure your project is eligible to be considered for NY Forward funding.

2. Review the Local Vision, Goals, and Evaluation Criteria

Please visit the Vision & Goals tab at KeesevilleNYForward.com to learn about the vision and goals for the Village of Keeseville's downtown. To review how the Local Planning Committee (LPC) and State will evaluate projects, please see pages 6 - 7 of this form.

3. Fill out the Project Proposal Submission Form

on pages 8-9. Address each topic thoroughly and completely. The LPC will use this information to consider projects to be included in the Hamlet of Keeseville's Strategic Investment Plan.

4. Submit your Completed Application

Submit your completed application (and any supplemental materials) either electronically using this form, in-person, or by mail to the Town Clerk, Ausable Town Hall, 111 Ausable St, Keeseville, NY 12944, no later than Friday, July 25th at 12:00 PM. 

To submit online (preferred):

Use this digital form.

The link to this digital form or a downloadable PDF form can be found on the 'Call for Projects' tab located on the Project Website (www.KeesevilleNYforward.com) 

To submit via email:

Email your completed application and any supplemental materials to:

mhema@mjteam.com with the subject: "Keeseville NY Forward Proposal"

All applicants are highly encouraged to schedule a meeting to discuss project details. To schedule a meeting, to ask questions regarding project eligibility, evaluation, or the project form please contact Melia Hema at mhema@mjteam.com.

Eligible Project Types

• Public Improvement Projects. These may include projects such as streetscape and transportation improvements, recreational trails, wayfinding signage, new and upgraded parks, plazas, public art, green infrastructure, and other public realm projects that will contribute to the revitalization of the downtown. 

• New Development and/or Rehabilitation of Existing Downtown Buildings. Projects in this category may include the development or redevelopment of real property for mixed-use, commercial, residential, not for profite, or public uses. Project should have a visible and functional impact on the downtown, serving as catalytic or transformative projects that will provide employment opportunities, housing chocies, and/or services for the community.

• Small Project Fund. A locally managed matching small project fund may be proposed to undertake a range of smaller downtown projects such as facade enhancements, building renovation improvements to commercial or mixed-use spaces, business assistance, or public art. Funds are capped at $600,000 for DRI communities and $300,000 for NY Forward communities. However, an NY Forward community may receive up to $600,000 if substantial demand is demonstrated.

• Branding and Marketing. Examples include downtown branding and marketing projects that may target residents, investors, developers, tourists, and/or visitors. The costs eligible under this category must be one-time expenses, such as those to develop marketing materials. This project type is intended for the overall branding and marketing of a downtown, not to provide branding and marketing services to individual downtown businesses or other entities.

Ineligible Project Types

• Planning activities. Following the preparation of the Strategic Investment Plan, all NY Forward funds must be used for projects that directly implement the plan.

• Operations and Maintenance. NY Forward funds cannot be used for on-going or routine expenses, such as staff salaries and wages, rent, utilities, and property up keep.

• Pre-awarded costs. Reimbursement for costs incurred before the completion of the Strategic Investment Plan and the announcement of funding awards is not permitted.

• Property aquisition. The cost of property acquisition can be included in the overall project budget, but the acquisition must be funded by another funding source.

• Training and other program expenses. The NY Forward program is a one-time infusion of funds and cannot be used to cover continuous costs, such as training costs and expensed related to existing programs.

• Expenses related to existing programs. NY Forward funds cannot be used to supplement existing programs or replace existing resources.

Project Requirements

The following are the requirements for projects to be considered for NY Forward funding. Recognizing several requirements must be met to qualify for NY Forward funding, each project sponsor will have access to technical support from State agencies and a consultant team to assist with project development (i.e. construction cost estimates, renderings, climate resilient design, meeting decarbonization requirements, etc). 

• Project Location. Projects must be located within the Hamlet of Keeseville's boundary. If your project is located outside the NY Forward boundary, please provide a brief description of how the project relates to the downtown and supports the stated goals of the NY Forward. Minor boundary modifications may be considered by the LPC.  

• Project Timing. Projects must be able to break ground within two years or sooner of receiving NY Forward funding.

• Project Size and Scale. Projects must be large enough to be truly transformative for the downtown area. Standalone NY Forward projects must be at least $75,000 in total project cost.* Projects less than $75,000 can be submitted through this process as demonstration of demand for a Small Project Fund. If you have a project that is under $75,000 in total project costs, please contact the consultant team at mhema@mjteam.com for more information.

• Project Funding. Projects should have financial commitments largely secured or be able to demonstrate a clear path to securing sufficient financing. It is strongly encouraged that all projects, especially private projects, use non-NY Forward funds that leverage requested public funding. Projects that use other funding sources will be more competitive for funding awards. For projects with a private sponsor, there is a minimum match requirement of 25% of the total project cost.** However, the Local Planning Committee set a preferred local match of 70% for private projects. There is no minimum match requirement for public or not-for-profit projects.

• Project Sponsors. Every project must have an identified project sponsor. Sponsors may be public, not-for-profit, or private entities with the capacity and legal authority to undertake the proposed project. Proposals with project sponsors that are membership-only organizations or religious facilities must propose projects that are available to the public and not just to active members.

• Building Decarbonization. For NY Forward communities, all public, private, and not-for-profit projects that meet the criteria for new construction, substantial renovation, or a building addition shall include decarbonization techniques. Each project that meets the criteria will be required to select a method of demonstrating that the project satisfies the requirements More information on this requirement can be found in the NY Forward Guidebook.

If your project does not meet all of the criteria described in this section, we still want to hear your project idea! Please share your ideas at KeesevilleNYForward.com.

*A project may be exempt from the $75,000 minimum project cost under special circumstances. This exemption can only be sought after consultation with the consultant and State team.
**A private project may be exempt from the 25% minimum match requirement under special circumstances. This exemption can
only be sought after consultation with the consultant and State team.

Hamlet of Keeseville's Vision & Goals

The Draft Vision and Goals will be revised and updated by the Hamlet of Keeseville's Local Planning Committee (LPC) using feedback received from the public during earlier public engagement events.

Please visit the Vision & Goals tab at KeesevilleNYForward.com to review the Vision and Goals.

Alignment with the Hamlet of Keeseville's vision and goals will be a criterion that the LPC will be using to evaluate submitted projects.

Local Evaluation Critera
Alignment with Local Planning Committee Goals.

• Scope of work and project activities are clearly identified
• Capacity to implement the project and manage a state contract
• Ability to begin implementation in the near-term (~2 years from award)
• Other funding sources secured to proceed
• Documented status of funds needed to complete the project
• Project sponsor has supplied backup documentation to support project readiness: ex. images of existing conditions, project renderings, etc.
• Sponsor can demonstrate site control
• Ability to proceed without any significant regulatory hurdles
• Potential to attract other private investment
• Transformative potential: Project contains elements that fundamentally change the downtown and how it is perceived
• Market demand and economic feasibility
• Ability to provide a sustainable impact in the downtown. The longevity of the project & its impact

• Adequate budget information provided and reflects a prudent expenditure of NYF funds
• Demonstrated need for NYF funds to make the project feasible
• Potential to leverage additional private and/or public funds
• Project Sponsor Match - the Local Planning Committee set a preferred 70% match for private projects.
• Availability of other funding sources that are more appropriate than the NYF award
• Anticipated community and economic growth and investment
• Enhances placemaking activities that contribute to an inviting, walkable downtown
• Improves community connection, collaboration or enhances accessibility in the downtown
• Expands housing, services or amenities targeted toward residents and/or visitors
• Enhances the downtown's arts and cultural offerings and/or entertainment opportunities
• Estimated impacts on tax revenue
• Potential job growth and retention

State Evaluation Criteria

Alignment with State NY Forward Goals.

• Create an active downtown with a strong sense of place.
• Attract new businesses that create a robust mix of shopping, entertainment and service options for residents and visitors, and that provide job opportunities for a variety of skills and salaries.
• Enhance public spaces for arts and cultural events that serve the existing members of the community but also draw in visitors from around the region.
• Build a diverse population, with residents and workers supported by complementary diverse housing and employment opportunities.
• Grow the local property tax base.
• Provide amenities that support and enhance downtown living and quality of life.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support investments that are more resilient to future climate change impacts.

Catalytic Effect. The project is likely to have a significant positive impact on the revitalization of the downtown by attracting other public and private investment at a scale appropriate for the NY Forward community.

Project Readiness. The project should be well-developed and poised to proceed in the near-term in a way that will jump start the redevelopment of the NY Forward area.

Cost Effectiveness. Investment of NY Forward funds in the project would represent an effective and efficient use of public resources.

Co-Benefits. The project will result in secondary benefits to both the community, which will generate additional economic activity and improve quality of life in the neighborhood.

1. Project Sponsor

Provide the contact information for the project sponsor, which is the entity proposing to implement the project. The project sponsor can be different from the property owner. 

If there are additional people who should be contacted as part of this proposal, please provide their contact information.

*If you are interested in submitting a Small Project, do not complete this form; instead, please use the Small Project Fund Interest Form, which can be found at KeesevilleNYForward.com.

Please provide a detailed description of the proposed project's scope of work, as applicable:

• The proposed use (e.g., commercial, industrial, public improvement, mixed-use).
• The goal of the project.
• Any work or planning done previously on the proposed project.
• The size of the project (e.g., square footage of the building and space to be renovated (if applicable), number of floors, acreage, number of units, type of housing, commercial tenants, etc.).
• The types of activities to be completed as part of this project (e.g., sidewalk construction, replacement of flooring, exterior siding, interior walls, plumbing and electricity in upper floors).

**If your project involves new construction or renovation of a building, please complete Question 13 regarding decarbonization**

**Private project sponsors will be expected to submit information about the long-term financial feasibility of their project. At a minimum, project sponsors will be required to submit documentation demonstrating the ability to financially maintain the business/building after project completion. This may include a pro-forma (strongly encouraged from projects requesting $500,000 or more from NYF), a business plan, or other documents showing cash flow. It is strongly encouraged that this documentation be provided when submitting this form, but it may be submitted later.**

Please complete the budget table below. Please identify different activities associated with the project, their costs, the funding source, and the status. Please use the following definitions to guide the response for the Budget.

Secured.This funding source and amount of funding is guaranteed.

Anticipated. This funding source is reasonably expected to be available at the time of project implementation, but the project sponsor does not have the funds currently available. This status may apply for funding sources such as loans, bonds, or fees.

Requested. The project sponsor has submitted a request to a funding entity for the amount identified but has not received confirmation of funding. This category is appropriate for the NY Forward funding source or other grants.

Undetermined. This funding source has not been secured, and the project sponsor has not fully identified the funding sources and amounts.

Notes: Typical activities included in a construction budget include: architectural and design costs, permit and survey fees, site preparation costs, insurance / bond fees, construction costs, and contingencies.

NY Forward funds are structured as reimbursable grants. If NY Forward funds are awarded, the grant recipient may need to finance the total project cost using a bridge loan, owner equity, or another financing mechanism. In this situation, grant funds will be released once the project is completed per the contracted scope of work.

*If a proposed project has not yet developed cost estimates or identified sources of funding, please provide as much detail as possible at this stage. 

*A project may include the cost of acquisition in the project budget, but the acquisition must be covered by another funding source, as NY Forward funds cannot be used to acquire property.

The following items are required to evaluate the proposed project. Please check the corresponding box to the information you are providing with this application. Include the project title and project sponsor contact information on each page of information.  

Supplemental information to support the proposed project may also be submitted. Inclusion of the documents help to demonstrate that your project is ready to be implemented in the short term if recommended. Please indicate under 'Other'.

If you are submitting information that is confidential, please label it as such.

Projects involving new construction, building additions, or renovations equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet may be subject to decarbonization compliance. More information on decarbonization criteria and requirements can be found in the NYF Guidebook. Please answer the following questions to help determine whether or not your project will require decarbonization.

Learn more about decarbonization on one of our upcoming webinars!

• June 25th from 2PM to 3PM

• July 15th from 10AM to 11AM

• Registration Link for either session: https://meetny-gov.webex.com/webappng/sites/meetny-gov/webinar/webinarSeries/register/acb6cb929bc54899932f58308ec557af

This webinar will provide an introduction to decarbonization and the reduction of carbon emissions by improving the design and construction of buildings and how they use energy. Key topics include an overview of decarbonization and an introduction to different types of decarbonization strategies that can be incorporated into NY Forward building projects. 

I understand that submission of this form does not constitute an application for or guarantee of funding from New York State, that the information provided herein will be reviewed and considered by the NY Forward Local Planning Committee for possible inclusion in the Strategic Investment Plan. I further understand that inclusion in the NY Forward Strategic Investment Plan does not constitute a guarantee of funding from New York State, that all funding decisions will be made by New York State, and if funded I will comply with all State funding requirements.

Further, I hereby acknowledge that I have read the NY Forward project criteria and understand that any NY Forward funding provided for projects will made available on a reimbursement basis only after expenses are incurred or in some cases, after a project has been successfully completed in its entirety. I also understand that NY Forward funding will be subject to all applicable New York State requirements, including, but not limited to Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) utilization, competitive procurement for goods and services, and project status reporting.

Deadline for Submission

Friday, July 25th at 12:00 PM

Applications received after this time will not be considered.