What would you do with $10 million to transform downtown Philmont?
About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a cornerstone of the State’s economic development program. The DRI transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. These compact, walkable downtowns are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.
The DRI is led by the Department of State, in close partnership with Empire State Development, NYS Homes and Community Renewal and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Philmont’s DRI/NYF Vision Statement
The Philmont Rising downtown, connected to the natural beauty of Summit Lake and its waterfront, will activate its historic innovation and entrepreneurial spirit to propel a transformational revitalization in its mill village historic district, strengthen the social fabric of productive collaboration, and welcome small business, creating a friendly, memorable hub of activity with a variety of shops, public amenities, restaurants, event spaces, artisan co-working spaces, and conservation trails celebrating its history and nature as a walkable, compact, vibrant downtown. Located at the center of Columbia County, the Philmont downtown offers residents, visitors, and small businesses the rural beauty and quality of life that cultivates an exceptional place to work, live, play and succeed. With this transformational DRI /NY Forward initiative, all this will be achieved by building on the strength of multi-generational families, a diverse population and affordability.
This lithograph, which was first published in the 1878 county history by Ellis and appears on the cover of the Village’s DRI application, depicts Philmont Hosiery Mill No. 3, built by Aken on Canal Street in 1886 (Stott, 93). Mill No. 3 is shown on Sheet 3 of the 1887 Sanborn map series.
How We’re Doing:
- October 15th – The Village submitted its DRI / NYF application and proposal documents two days before the grant deadline.
- November 18th – the NY State agencies involved with the evaluation of proposals requested to visit Philmont for a walking tour. Read the walking tour briefing sheets prepared for this visit.
- December 15th – the State’s DRI Special Initiatives Committee invited Philmont’s DRI team led by Mayor Johnson and DRI committee members to attend an in-person presentation and interview of Philmont’s proposal in a meeting at the Empire State Development Corp offices in Troy.
- Update: The presentation & interview went great! “Team Philmont” dialogued with 14 members of the DRI Special Initiatives Committee who asked questions about the 16 proposed projects, the area map, and questions about the budget and project(s) investment leverage. We expect to hear from the state sometime before spring 2026 for this round of winners in the Capital Region. 2025 Philmont DRI / NY Forward Interview Presentation
2025 DRI / NY Forward Briefing Sheets
What Happens Next:
If Philmont is awarded DRI/NYF funding, the Village will undertake a community-based planning exercise with a planning company appointed by the State to help Philmont with the next steps DRI / NYF planning process. This is part of the DRI/NYF innovative “plan-then-act” strategy. The process will begin with a review of our existing vision and goals, further development of the vision and goals, and an assessment of the downtown area. Following that, the process shifts to identifying and developing proposed projects.
During this planning process: New projects can be submitted for evaluation. Please expect a survey needing your input and several community input sessions to be held in the Village Hall open to all! The more the merrier!
At the end of this planning process: The Philmont community will identify a slate of projects for the DRI/NYF program that are aligned with the State’s and Village’s goals. These projects are then submitted to the State for funding consideration. With the support of several State agencies and a consultant team, Philmont will prepare a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). The SIP is the final plan that results from the DRI/ NYF planning process. The SIP will describe the unique challenges and opportunities for the revitalization of downtown, present the community’s vision for the future of the DRI / NYF area, and propose transformative projects that may be realized with an investment of DRI/NYF funds. Read the 2025 DRI / NYF Guidelines.
THE DRI/NYF APPLICATION PROCESS
Philmont Is Taking Action in an Exciting Process.
Following a 15-year local revitalization effort by several village initiatives, committees, and community-based working groups, the Village of Philmont has decided to engage in the exciting planning process to meet the guidelines of the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and the New York Forward (NYF) grant programs to continue revitalization of the downtown through catalytic and transformative economic development projects.
Building on the successes of having achieved and implemented past state-funded projects, the Village has reappointed the existing BOA Committee, co-chaired by Mayor Johnson and Bob Macfarlane, to serve as the DRI/NYForward Local Planning Committee. Assisted by the Not-for-Profit organization, Philmont Beautification, Inc., the Planning Committee will develop a DRI/NYF grant proposal.
Join us to develop a community vision, goals, strategies, and a series of catalytic projects to propose to the NYS Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the NYForward funding programs. If awarded, $10 million in DRI funding or $4.5 million in NY Forward funding would support capital improvement projects with an eye to realizing an active downtown linked to the surrounding neighborhoods and the Summit Lake waterfront to ensure that the Village has not just places to live, but places where people can work, grow, and succeed.
New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and the smaller NYForward (NYF) program are a cornerstone of the state’s economic development program. The programs transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity.
We hope you are excited by the prospect of becoming a part of a successful DRI/NYForward proposal.
This is a “Team Philmont” effort!
Our success depends on our community coming together to guide & inform decision-making.
VIEW the schedule of DRI/NYForward Public Events
Read the Completed Philmont DRI/NYF Application
01. INITIAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS
DOWNLOAD the Initial Open Call for Project Proposals Form
INITIAL OPEN CALL FOR PHILMONT PROJECTS — Due June 20th
** INITIAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS HAS CLOSED**
02. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
Transparent, open, and ongoing public engagement is a critical component of the DRI/NYForward planning process to produce an application for DRI/NYForward funds. Public engagement will occur throughout the process to ensure that the community is informed and empowered to contribute ideas, identify challenges and opportunities, provide feedback on potential projects, and help to shape the future of downtown, the Summit Lake waterfront, and linked neighborhoods. Notices of public meetings, events, and other opportunities to be involved in the application planning process will be posted on this website and publicized through the Village’s resources and various social media channels. All are encouraged to check back regularly for updates on the process as it progresses. See the current schedule of planned DRI/NYForward presentations and community workshops.
DRI / NY FORWARD Public Information Resources:
Submission Requirements and Evaluation Criteria for the DRI and the NYF Programs | Department of State August 2024 Webinar Slide Deck
- More Information:
- DRI Case Studies:
- Webinars:
DRI / NYF Community Conversations
DRI / NYF Public Surveys
DRI / NYF Community Outreach
Community outreach and the required DRI survey will take place in September and October, using the PBI office at 113 Main Street for rotating 2-week presentations as follows:
- Sep 20 – Oct 5 (2 weeks) – community input for programming at Community Center
- Oct 11 – Oct 19 (2 weeks) – community input for Main Street projects
- Oct 25 – Nov 1 (1 week) – community input for Municipal project
03. DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY VISION, GOALS, AND REVITALIZATION STRATEGIES.
The Philmont DRI/NYForward Local Planning Committee (LPC) will develop a vision statement, along with corresponding goals and strategies guided by the community input gathered at the public presentations and community workshops. The vision statement will be bold, adventurous, and ambitious as an expression of the communities’ needs and desires, which will be advanced through strategic investments and implementation of projects identified and vetted through the DRI/NYForward application process. If Philmont is awarded funding, at that point the state will select a consultant to work with the Local Planning Committee (LPC) and the community to guide eligible projects for the implementation of a Strategic Investment Plan.
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs focus on creating healthy, vibrant, walkable downtowns that catalyze sustainable economic development and accrue numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits to the locality, the region, and the State as a whole.
04. IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE APPLICATION
Projects will be identified through a variety of means during the DRI/NYForward process, such as through the Initial Open Call for Projects proposal form.
The Local Planning Committee (LPC), guided by community input, presentations, workshops, and a community survey scheduled from June 29 to September 31, 2025 will work to develop and refine these proposed projects, with the goal of prioritizing investments toward key projects that can have positive catalytic and transformative impacts on the community, and that can drive further investment and change in downtown Philmont, the Summit Lake waterfront, and linked neighborhoods. Key Philmont planning documents and initiatives will assist by forming a foundational reference to achieve the community’s DRI/NYForward vision, goals and strategies, and identification of catalytic capital projects.
These documents are as follows:
- 2003 Comprehensive Plan & 2025 draft updates
- 2005 Philmont certified as a Greenway Compact Community
- 2019 Designated Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) plan
- 2019 LWRP Agawamuck Creek Watershed Management Plan (in process)
- 2022 PBInc Mom & Pop Shop Downtown Revitalization Plan & Implementation Strategy
- 2024 Housing Needs Assessment Study
- 2024 Philmont Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Plan
- 2024 Village of Philmont Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 2024 decarbonization goals of the Philmont Climate Smart Task Force
- 2024 Philmont certification as a Pro-Housing Community
- 2024 Philmont certification as a Bronze level Climate Smart Community
05. DRI/NYF APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Village of Philmont Rising: Downtown 2025 Application to DRI Round 9 and NYF Round 4.
Get Updates on the Philmont DRI/NYForward
Enter your email address in the form below to get updates and meeting announcements as the Philmont DRI/NYForward process moves forward!
DRI / NYForward Local Planning Committee
- Mayor Brian Johnson – Co-Chair
- Bob Macfarlane – Co-Chair
- Barbara Sagal – Chair of LWRP Agawamuck Creek Watershed Management Advisory Committee (WAC)
- David Bolevice – resident
- Mark Rowntree – Lead of BOA Subarea 1
- Karen Schoemer – resident
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- _________________TBD
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- Sally Baker – DRI Facilitator / Philmont Beautification Inc
DRI/NYForward Events
Initial Open Call for Philmont Projects
Public Review of Received DRI / NYForward Projects Received | Village Hall | 2-3pm
DRI/NYForward Presentation + Support Letters | Village Hall | 2 – 3pm
DRI/NYForward | Community Input for Programming at the Community Center | Sept 20 – Oct 5 (2 weeks)
DRI/NYForward | Community Input for Main Street Projects | Oct 11 – Oct 19 (2 weeks)
DRI Application Progress Review | Village Hall | Oct. 19 @ 2pm
DRI/NYForward | Community Input for Municipal Projects | Oct 25 – Nov 1 (1 week)
DRI/NYForward News
Downtown Revitalization Initiative and New York Forward | “Philmont Rising Downtown”
