BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – A little more than a week after holding a check for $4.5 million, Canton Mayor Michael Dalton says it’s now time to begin the strategy process.

On Jan. 23, the Village of Canton was awarded a $4.5 million NY Forward grant to be used for economic development and downtown revitalization.

 A second $4.5 million NY Forward grant was awarded to Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County.

“Canton and Alexandria Bay will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and State planners,” noted Dalton.

“The Strategic Investment Plan will examine local assets and opportunities to identify projects that align with each community's vision and that are poised for implementation. Funding will be awarded for selected projects from the Strategic Investment Plan that have the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and generate new opportunities for long-term growth,” he added.

The village will be hiring a consultant to assist in the management and strategic plan.

“You don’t know what or who will come out of the woodwork,” Dalton said. “Something like this helps leverage other monies.”

Down the road, public information sessions will be held with the possibility of forming a committee to help review and help with the selection process, he noted.

The mayor applauded the work of Canton’s Director of Economic Development Leigh Rodriguez, her part-time clerk Jeni Reed, Deputy Mayor Anna Sorensen, and Lenore VanderZee, vice president for strategic relations and communications at SUNY Canton.

“They should all be commended for their efforts,” Dalton stated. “Their persistence paid off.”

Dalton said the village made a conscious decision to put a full effort into the NY Forward application instead of trying to pursue a Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant or both.

“At the end we are very pleased where we landed,” he said.

“The Village of Canton has been preparing and planning for this opportunity for a very long time. We are proud of our community’s growth and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges that rural communities like ours face,” stated Dalton earlier.

“With broad participation from the community and strong support from area businesses, committed stakeholders and private investors, our team has assembled an ambitious set of projects that will transform Canton,” the mayor said.

Dalton said he appreciates the value of these revitalization efforts in preparation of the work that will ensure the village’s future as a vibrant hub of the North Country.

In May 2023, the village received $2 million through the Restore New York Communities Initiative. That money will be used to demolish the dilapidated structure and help pay for asbestos abatement.

In May, the village officially assumed ownership of six parcels at 19 Miner Street from Garry Cohen, a New York City businessman, for $1,280,000. The plaza has basically sat idle since 2000 when the plaza’s anchor business, the Jubilee grocery store closed its doors. Rite Aid vacated the plaza in 2018.

The governor addressed the importance of the NY Forward funding.

“We put the seed money in and all others take interest,” Gov. Kathy Hochul stated.

“Canton’s NY Forward application presented a realistic, visionary and comprehensive plan to transform blight into new mixed-use development that will offer diverse housing options, premium retail space and abundant entrepreneurial opportunities. As a community situated at the crossroads — geographically, economically and culturally — of the St. Lawrence Valley, the Village will implement a bold plan, backed by substantial private investment and community-driven planning, to elevate the downtown to a new place of commercial, cultural and entrepreneurial excellence. Project priorities include rebuilding and restoring commercial and residential buildings, beautifying Main Street and making downtown a welcoming and accessible place for everyone — residents, businesses and visitors alike,” said the governor’s office in a press release.

The plan is to turn the plaza property into a mixed-use development offering diverse housing options including a SUNY Canton Entrepreneurship Center on the first floor. The upper levels would have 45 residential units. The estimated cost of the project is $21 million. SUNY Canton has secured around $4 million toward the project.