CANTON – Dozens of people checked out 30 display boards outlining the Village of Canton’s NY Forward economic development initiative and provided input on what to do with the $4.5 million at an open house held Thursday night at the Canton Municipal Building.

Residents mingled with representatives from the New York Department of State, MJ Engineering and Land Surveying, Clifton Park and local officials about the opportunities.

Mayor Michael Dalton, who is the co-chair of the NY Forward Local Planning Committee, was pleased to see so many people in attendance at the open house.

“It’s a good turnout. I’m happy to see people taking an interest. It’s important to have public participation,” the mayor stated. “Public engagement is a key part of this. We plan to have a call for projects at the end of June.”

The committee will create a list of projects totaling in the $6.5 million range then the state will decide how the $4.5 million will be allocated.

“The public open house is an interactive engagement session that allows all attending community members and visitors to provide input to help the Local Planning Committee formulate a final vision statement and a set of goals for the NY Forward process in Canton. Community members of all ages are encouraged to join and participate,” Dalton said.

NY Forward goal and eligible projects will focus on public improvement projects, new development and/or rehabilitation of existing downtown buildings, establishing a small project grant fund, and implementing branding and marketing projects that target residents, tourists, investors, developers and visitors.

Offshoot strategies will look to provide enhanced public spaces that serve those of all ages and abilities, grown the local property tax base, encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, create an active downtown with mixed uses, enhance downtown living and quality of life, create diverse housing options for all income levels, and provide diverse employment opportunities for a variety of skill sets and salary levels.

NY Forward is a central component of the State's economic development efforts, working together with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York's downtowns. NY Forward serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. 

Joining Dalton as co-chair of the Local Planning Committee is St. Lawrence University President Kathryn Morris. Committee members include Vink, Brian Coakley, Ariane Palmer, Connie Jenkins, Katie Berry, David Nelson, and Kirk Davis.

A major target in the downtown revitalization effort is the demolition of the Midtown Plaza with plans to construct a $21 million mixed-use development offering diverse housing options including a SUNY Canton Entrepreneurship Center on the first floor. The upper level would have 45 residential units.