Thursday, October 1, 2026 | St. Lawrence County, NY
Ogdensburg received exciting news Tuesday that could breathe new life into a city that has faced one of its toughest decades, but only if the community rallies to the call.
Gov. Kathy Hochul visited the city to announce that Ogdensburg would receive a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant.
Although the city has submitted strong applications year after year, the grant had long eluded Ogdensburg.
This achievement reflects the efforts of hundreds of people, local business owners, community leaders, city staff, and past and present city councils.
Although I’m reluctant to list names of those who put so much work into this, as I’ll obviously miss the vast majority, I’m willing to take the heat and do it anyway, because I think I would be remiss not to mention former City Planner Andrea Smith, whose work is deeply intertwined in the roots of the document.
The strategic planning committee and others helped refine the document, including, but not limited to Wendy Hamilton, Kearney Coupland, Anne Frary, Barb O’Keefe, David Sigler, Jim LaFave, John Pinkerton, Kathy Reinbold, JoAnne Gareau, and Tyler Park, whose short tenure with the city was far from in vain. To the others I did not name, which is most of you, I ask for your pardon.
I spoke with City Manager Fonda Chronis briefly to congratulate him on getting the football over the goal line and we agreed that the state’s investment in Ogdensburg is a tremendous vote of confidence, but the reality is that the city’s work is only beginning.
I’ve seen DRI initiatives transform communities, and I’ve seen others struggle to gain momentum. Growing construction costs and economic uncertainty make development hard.
The DRI award isn’t a blank check from the state, it’s a promise to reimburse those willing to take risks and invest in the city’s future.
Realizing the city’s plans will require the efforts of organizations, business leaders, community members, and investors. And, like any grant, there will be red tape to navigate along the way.
Ogdensburg has faced blow after blow in recent years including a decline in Canadian traffic, a growing homeless population, falling sales tax revenue, prison and business closures and the hospital bankruptcy which is impacting not only jobs but also access to healthcare.
Of course it’s not all grim. The state has recognized the efforts of business leaders through millions of dollars in Restore NY grants and has invested in the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authorities plan to establish affordable childcare.
And now this $10 million promise from the state could be a turning point. It could be a chance to change the momentum city and community leaders have struggled against.
But ultimately, success depends on all of you and those willing to help make the vision in the city’s application a reality.
To the hundreds who have already put in the hard work to give Ogdensburg this opportunity I offer my congratulations. To those who step up in the months and years ahead to build on that foundation, I’m rooting for you.
Ogdensburg, it’s time to show us what you can do.
Jimmy Lawton is news editor of North Country This Week and NorthCountryNow.com.
