New York Main Street Grant Program
The Town of Jay, in partnership with the North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC), has launched the Jay New York Main Street (NYMS) grant program to revitalize the downtown boundary of Au Sable Forks. This initiative provides financial assistance to business and property owners to enhance their buildings through permanent upgrades such as facade improvements, new signage, awnings, and interior fit-outs for expanding businesses. The program also supports broader community development by funding site improvements like landscaping and outdoor lighting, as well as the renovation of upper-story residential spaces.
Under the program guidelines, individual grant requests can reach up to $50,000 per building, with an additional $25,000 available for each residential unit (up to two units), bringing the potential maximum award to $100,000 per project. These grants are designed to be affordable for owners by covering up to 75 percent of the total project cost. Beyond direct financial aid, the program aims to boost local business appeal, increase property values, and attract more customers and tenants to the area. Interested applicants can contact the NRDC at their Ticonderoga office or via email at spalma@northcountryruraldevelopment.org.
APA Presentation Update
Yesterday, I presented a Town of Jay spotlight briefing to the APA Board. The presentation lasted approximately 30 minutes, followed by a highly engaged 20-minute Q&A session. The board and staff were notably receptive, specifically commending the town for the extensive foundational work we have put into our Comprehensive Plan and the progress we have made over the last four years. This engagement provided a strong platform to discuss how we can transition into a more collaborative partnership for managed growth.
The discussion focused heavily on moving beyond our outdated 1991 subdivision regulations. I specifically requested the APA planning staff’s technical assistance in modernizing our regulations and conducting detailed land mapping. By leveraging their GIS expertise, we aim to identify the most sensible areas for potential hamlet expansions or map amendments, ensuring any future development is data-driven rather than speculative. The meeting successfully positioned the Town of Jay as a proactive partner ready to align our local oversight with the Agency’s standards. Here is a link to the video of the presentation: https://vimeo.com/1175597800?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Upcoming Events
The Knights of Columbus are hosting the final Fish Fry of the season today, March 20th, at Holy Name Parish. Stop by from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM to enjoy a meal and support this local tradition.
Looking ahead to next week, the Upper Jay Art Center will kick off its new concert series on Thursday, March 26th, at 7:00 PM. This is the first of six scheduled performances and is proudly funded by Town of Jay occupancy tax funds.
I hope you have a great weekend,
Matt
