Village of Heuvelton's NY Forward Project Form

The Village of Heuvelton has been awarded funds through the New York State NY Forward program to fund catalytic projects in the NY Forward Boundary to spur revitalization. The Local Planning Committee (LPC) is seeking project proposals from the public for potential projects to be included in the Village of Heuvelton'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:

Wednesday, September 2nd at 4:00 PM

An information session to learn about the Open Call for Projects and eligibility requirements will be held virtually on:

August 13, 2026 at 12:00 to 1:00 PM

For meeting information visit: www.HeuveltonNYForward.com  

1. Review the Eligibility Criteria and Project Requirement

on pages 3-5 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

The Local Planning Committee (LPC) will develop a local vision, goals, and evaluation criteria for downtown Heuvelton during this planning process, which will be published after LPC Meeting #2. Please visit the Vision & Goals tab at HeuveltonNYForward.com to learn about the vision and goals for the Village of Heuvelton's downtown. To review how the LPC and State will evaluate projects, please see pages 6 - 7 of this form.

3. Consider consulting with an Architect/Engineer/General Contractor/Vendor

To help define the project scope of work, review the exisiting conditions, code requirements, and design feasilibility, and develop realistic budgets. 

4. Attend Open Call Virtual information session, Office Hours, or Other Opportunities to Meet with the Consultant Team 

To learn more about the process and project requirements, check www.HeuveltonNYForward.com for information about how to attend or sign up. 

 5. 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 Village of Heuvelton's Strategic Investment Plan. Application progress may be saved by clicking the "Save" button in the bottom right corner.

6. Submit your Completed Application

Submit your completed application (and any supplemental materials) either electronically using this form, in-person, or by mail to the Barbara Lashua, 51 State Street N, Heuvelton, NY 13654,  no later than Wednesday, September 2nd at 4:00 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.HeuveltonNYForward.com)

To submit via email:

Email your completed application and any supplemental materials to:

mhema@mjteam.com with the subject: "Heuvelton 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. Projects 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 Village of Heuvelton'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.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.

Learn more about decarbonization and historical preservation on one of our upcoming webinars!

Certain projects funded through NY Forward will be required to meet the program's decarbonization standards and consult with the State Historic Preservation Office. Join one of these webinars to learn more about these program aspects and how they may affect your proposed project.

Decarbonization

• August 11th at 11AM
• September 10th at 1PM
• Registration Link for either session: Click here!

Historic Preservation 

• August 20th at 1PM
• Registration Link: Click here!

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 HeuveltonNYForward.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.

Village of Heuvelton's Vision & Goals

The following draft vision was submitted in the Village of Heuvelton NY Forward application. Check the project website (www.HeuveltonNYForward.com) for updates to the vision and goals as the NY Forward process proceeds.

Draft Vision for Downtown

"By 2034, Heuvelton aims to be a vibrant community featuring small businesses and activities for adults, children, and families. Key spaces such as the boat launch and Pickens Hall will serve as focal points for residents of all ages. Continued robust access to municipal services - including the public library, fire department, and post office - will remain a priority. Local childcare and medical centers will operate successfully, and the downtown area will evolve into a cultural center marketed by new growth and development. Vacant properties will be repurposed to benefit the broader community and provide a diverse range of services.

Heuvelton envisions becoming a recreational destination, with enhancements including a new park and sports fields at the boat launch, increased engagement along the Oswegatchie River, and expanded trails within and surrounding the Village. Efforts to improve river water quality and reduce invasive species will unlock new recreational opportunities. Heuvelton Central School will continue to offer high quality education and extracurricular programs, anticipate higher enrollment, and secure increased funding. The Village is committed to maintaining its small-town values while embracing cultural trends, aspiring to become a premier destination within the County."

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

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.

Local Evaluation Critera
Alignment with Local Planning Committee Goals.

The Local Evaluation Critera will be published here and on the Village of Heuvelton project website (www.HeuveltonNYForward.com) after LPC Meeting #2.

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 HeuveltonNYForward.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.
• 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).

**Building projects, depending on the scale may be subject to the NY Forward decarbonization standards. Please see the NY Forward Guidebook for more information about which projects are subject to these standards**

**Please visit www.HeuveltonNYForward.com to review updated Vision and Goals**

**All private projects require a minimum 25% funding match**

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.

**Check the CRIS website to determine the status off your property - https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ **

Please include images of the existing project site or building (interior and/or exterior). The images provided must be of the space where project work is proposed.

The following documents may be provided, if you have them readily available. Inclusion of the documents help to demonstrate theat your project is ready to be implemented in the short term and feasible. Please check the corresponding box to the supplemental information if you are providing with this application. 

Include the project title and project sponsor contact information on each page of supplemental information. If you area submitting supplemental information that is confidential, please label it as such. 

Please note that while these additional documents are not required at time of project submittal, those market with an astrisk, at a minimum, will be required prior to LPC Meeting #4 in order for the LPC to properly evaluate the project for readiness.

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

Wednesday, September 2nd at 4:00 PM

Applications received after this time will not be considered.