NY Forward Process
The NY Forward program couples strategic planning with prompt project implementation. NY Forward communities are paired with a consultant team and a project lead from the Department of State (DOS), who guide them through a targeted community-based planning process geared towards developing a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). The SIP includes a list of transformative and catalytic projects, which are recommended to the State for funding using the NY Forward funds.
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Through the NY Forward program, downtowns in small villages and hamlets as well as neighborhood scale commercial centers will receive planning and implementation support needed to attract more businesses, residents, and visitors, while also providing a higher quality of life for all residents.
The NY Forward process and development of the SIP broadly includes the following steps:
1
Local Planning Committee
A Local Planning Committee (LPC) comprised of local and regional leaders, stakeholders, and community representatives intended to represent diverse interests is convened to oversee the planning process and development of the SIP. As the steering body of the process, the LPC meets regularly to brainstorm ideas, provide direction to the consultant team, review planning products, discuss potential projects, and prioritize actions. These meetings are open to the public.
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The Ellenville NY Forward LPC members are as follows:
Evan Trent
LPC Co-Chair,
Mayor
Conor Eckert
LPC Co-Chair,
President/CEO Orange County Partnership
Barbara Hoff
Business Owner of
Top Shelf Jewelry
John Lewis
Village Resident/Ellenville Planning Board
Kai Lord-Farmer
Ulster County Planning Department
Joseph Stoeckeler
Supervisor, Town of Wawarsing/Village of Ellenville Planning Board Chair
Victoria Messner
Village Trustee, Business Owner of Morning Sunshine
Elliott Auerbach
Board Member, Catskill Borscht Belt Museum
Rev. Gary Fuller
Pastor/Ellenville Branch NAACP
Debbie Briggs
Village Resident/SUNY New Paltz Council
Cheryl LaSonde
Vice President, Ellenville Branch NAACP
Kristen Osterhoudt
Business Owner of Brandybrook Studios/Â
Ellenville-Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce
2
Public Engagement
Throughout the planning process, the public is invited to proactively contribute ideas that guide the LPC, DOS, and consultant team for the development of the SIP. Notices of public workshops, local engagement events, and other opportunities to provide input will be posted on this website and publicized through print, media, and online channels. Please check back regularly for updates.
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Vision, Goals, and Revitalization Strategies
Based on community input, the LPC develops a guiding framework including a community vision, action-oriented goals to support the vision, and measurable strategies to guide project development and implementation. These coordinated actions, objectives, and planning approach are the guiding framework for the SIP.
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Priority Projects
The LPC identifies key transformative projects to advance the community vision and goals. Priority projects are intended to transform the physical environment of the NY Forward area in ways that will benefit current residents and future generations. In some cases, they may also include non-capital projects that can lead to capital investment which in turn, will revitalize the NY Forward area. The final slate of transformative projects voted on by the LPC will be included in the SIP for the State's review and consideration for funding.Â
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Strategic Investment Plan
The SIP includes the objectives and goals defined under the NY Forward Program. The plan is a compilation of the community's vision and goals for downtown, specific implementation strategies to achieve those goals, an assessment of downtown conditions, and profiles of transformative projects that could be implemented using NY Forward funding.
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Implementation
Projects submitted in the SIP from each community are evaluated by the State, which after its due diligence, identifies those projects best suited for NY Forward funding. Announcements of the funded projects are made by the Governor. Once projects are announced, the State will contract with the entity responsible for implementing the project. All State procurement procedures must be followed, and NY Forward funding is provided on a reimbursable basis.