MASSENA -- After losing out on $10 million in Downtown Revitalization grant funding to Saranac Lake, Massena Mayor Tim Currier said he’s “disappointed” but isn’t sweating it.

“I recognize some are frustrated with the pace: Our downtown has been neglected for nearly 30 years, it didn’t deteriorate overnight, and won’t be rebuild overnight,” he said in a Tuesday email. “Development takes time. Thanks to local commitment, and strong partnerships, you are seeing the success we can have. This is a journey; one our team is committed to finishing.”

This is the third year of those awards. Plattsburgh won the North Country Regional Economic Development Council’s DRI competition two years ago. Watertown won last year.

The Village of Massena in May held a rally to show public support for the initiative, which drew nearly 300 people.

Currier on Tuesday released the following statement:

“Although we are disappointed that our Downtown Revitalization Initiative application was not funded this year, we are excited for Saranac Lake. They are a great community, with wonderful people and truly a gem in the Adirondacks. We look forward to watching their progress.

“Massena is rediscovering its downtown and we are making steady progress. Nearly three million dollars is being invested on our downtown waterfront alone, a considerable portion of which is funded with N.Y.S. economic development funds. We will continue to collaborate with citizens, business owners, developers and investors to sustain the progress being made.

“A large reason we have made progress in Massena, and most notably our downtown, is due to our partnership with the Governor Cuomo and his team. By supporting us they are helping us reshape our future and we look forward to continuing this partnership to move Massena forward.

“We also have a number of other strong partners, at every level, who work with us and support our efforts to develop Massena; partners like Assemblywomen Jenne, Senator Griffo, St. Lawrence County, the New York Power Authority, Development Authority of the North Country, various other State entities and our neighboring communities, to name a few.

“The greatest strength this community has, beyond our partners, and above the many assets we possess, is our citizens. As we have rediscovered our downtown and moved Massena forward, the great people that live and work here have created energy and excitement demonstrating that you care deeply about Massena and the North Country and want to help reshape our future.

“Let’s keep that spirit and the momentum going by cultivating and growing local investment to leverage other resources. You can directly help the downtown by supporting our small businesses; shopping local and joining the many efforts focused on the downtown. Additionally, you can be a part of community developing strategies aimed to improve our quality of life and you can support our efforts to work regionally with our partners to improve and rebuild the North Country economy.”