26 Jun NYS DRI Small Project Fund Awards Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2025
Over $778,000 in NYS DRI Small Project Fund Awards Announced to Revitalize Downtown Ticonderoga
TICONDEROGA, NY – The North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC), in partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) through the New York Main Street (NYMS) program, is proud to announce the award of over $778,000 in Small Project Fund grants as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) in Ticonderoga.
These competitive grants will support transformational commercial building improvements in Ticonderoga’s historic core—ranging from façade restoration and energy efficiency upgrades to interior fit-outs and historic preservation work. Projects were selected through a ranked, competitive review process and are expected to leverage over $1 million in total public-private investment.
This grant funding was sub-granted directly to NRDC, a longstanding community development nonprofit formerly known as PRIDE of Ticonderoga. NRDC has administered NYMS programs for over 20 years and recently completed a $500,000 Anchor Project—Paper & Pencil—along with a Feasibility and Reuse Study for the Town of Jay, both in partnership with HCR.
✅ Awarded Projects
| Business | Address | Awarded | Private Match |
| Sunshine Laundry | 88 Montcalm St. | $28,162.50 | $9,387.50 |
|
Installing ADA ramp, upgrading interior lighting and fans, replacing flooring and plumbing, adding a water softener. |
|||
| Adirondack Trading Post | 102
Montcalm St. |
$47,625 | $15,875 |
| New front stairs, porch repairs, siding replacement, full painting, roof replacement. | |||
| Blee’s Salon | 107
Montcalm St. |
$60,276.36 | $20,092.12 |
| Storefront window replacement, masonry repair, solar panel and mini split system installation, flooring replacement. | |||
| Olio Piro (Coming Soon) | 110 Montcalm St. | $90,412.50 | $30,137.50 |
| Façade and roof repairs, painting, lighting installation, HVAC system. | |||
| Champ Café / Punky Noodles | 113 Montcalm St. | $81,249 | $27,083 |
| New historically appropriate siding, energy-efficient window replacement, restoration of original detail. | |||
| Burleigh’s Luncheonette | 121
Montcalm St. |
$90,300 | $30,100 |
| Storefront window replacement and installation of a permanent walk-in cooler. | |||
| Bain’s Sunoco | 128
Montcalm St. |
$100,000 | $33,333 |
| Cupola and roof repair, façade upgrades, signage, interior restroom access. | |||
| That’s RAD!! & Apartments* | 85 Montcalm St. | $100,000 | $33,333 |
| New code-compliant apartments and stabilization using Land Bank Initiative funds. | |||
🧠 How Awards Were Decided
- All applications were scored and ranked by an independent panel of professionals in economic development and downtown revitalization.
- No reviewers were from Ticonderoga or affiliated with any
- Projects were funded in order of score until the pool was
- One awardee declined a partial award, allowing additional projects to be
🛠 What’s Happening Now
- Environmental testing is underway on all funded sites
- Contractor procurement is ongoing in compliance with DRI standards
- Construction is expected to begin this summer
- Project signage will be installed across downtown
Additionally, Burleigh’s Luncheonette and Champ Café / Punky Noodles will use a new supplemental state grant, the Vacant Rental Program- VRP, to renovate upper-story apartments—extending the program’s impact to housing.
“These awards reflect the energy and creativity of Ticonderoga’s small business community. From historic storefronts to new specialty shops, this is the beginning of real change downtown,” said Nicole Justice Green, Executive Director of NRDC.
📍 For More Information
North Country Rural Development Coalition (NRDC)
111 Montcalm Street, Ticonderoga, NY
📞 (518) 585-6366