City of Hornell (Winner)
County: Steuben County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
City Hall: (607) 324-7421

In 2007, the Southern Tier BOCES and the City of Hornell created a partnership that has proved to be an excellent tool for neighborhood revitalization. The City demolishes some of the worst homes in the community, and then commissions the BOCES Building Trade students to construct a new home, which, upon completion, is placed on the empty lot.

City of Glens Falls (Winner)
County: Warren County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (518) 761-3800

The City of Glens Falls completed the Glen and Bay Streets Highway Rehabilitation project to restore sufficient traffic capacity and operational characteristics at their five-corner intersection. Prior to this project, traffic in the City experienced long delays and failing levels of service at the previously signalized intersection. The accident rate at this particular five-corner intersection was three times the state-wide average for similar intersections.

Village of New York Mills (Winner)
County: Oneida County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 736-9212

The Village of New York Mills transformed their former #2 Mill (1 of 3 Mills that gave the village its name) into low income senior housing and a much needed community center. The #2 Mill, which was on the national registry of historic places, was vacant for years, and was not only an eyesore, but also a major safety issue. With the help of community members and organizations, the Village was able to turn the former Mill #2 into a new complex that greatly resembles the former building. Bricks and stones from the former Mill are incorporated into the new building, bringing back some of its history.

City of Geneva (Winner)
County: Ontario County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (315) 828-6588

The Exchange Street Redevelopment Project (ESRP) was an initiative that allowed the City of Geneva to transform their downtown area in 2005 and 2006. This project dealt specifically with Exchange Street, a section of downtown Geneva that had fallen into a serious state of disrepair. Many of the buildings that filled this section of downtown were blighting, non-code compliant, and in desperate need of many costly repairs. The ESRP allowed the City of Geneva to purchase the buildings, tear them down, and clean up the sites. The project included a new 55-room Hampton Inn, a new branch of the Lyons National Bank, and a new Bicentennial Park that links the central business district with the Seneca Lake waterfront.

City of Hornell (Winner)
County: Steuben County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
City Hall: (607) 324-7421

This initiative is a prime example of how communities can jointly capitalize on their individual assets to foster economic development. Wal-Mart had expressed an interest in locating in the Hornell area but was concerned about development costs and the need for municipal services. The City of Hornell had very little undeveloped property, but ample resources to provide utilities and police/fire protection. The Village of North Hornell had available property, but lacked the necessary infrastructure to develop it. Faced with the prospect that Wal-Mart would reconsider if no viable options were presented quickly, the City, Village, Town of Hornellsville and the City Industrial Development Agency (IDA) worked together to reach an agreement where the City was allowed to annex into the village the property (owned by the IDA) needed for the site.á In exchange, the Village and Town receive a specified percentage of the revenues received by the IDA, pursuant to a 20-year PILOT agreement. Once the PILOT expires, the City is required to annually share a specified portion of both the property tax and sales tax revenues with the Village and Town.

City of Rochester (Winner)
County: Monroe County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (585) 428-7045

The City of Rochester's brownfield strategy through its Brownfield Assistance Program (BAP), was to act as a "one stop shop" for potential investors which included initial assessment, setting site priorities through community and business-based planning projects, site cleanup, and assistance through the permitting process. A unique feature of the program was that developers were required to repay assessment costs only if their project proceeded.  Total BAP grant costs for consultants, City program oversight, and expenses totaled $124K. The project has directly led to the retention of 548 jobs and 226 new jobs. Redevelopment investment to date for projects completed and underway is over $13 million, with an additional $14 million redevelopment anticipated at future sites.

Village of Brockport
County: Monroe County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
Village Hall: (585) 637-5300

Harvester Park was a simple and narrow park with steep grades and a wooden stairway that had fallen into disrepair. In addition, the canal wall in the park area provided only limited boat moorings and was very deteriorated. The Village of Brockport desired to improve the park area and turn it into an asset for the community by blending modern conveniences and amenities with the natural and historic beauty of the Canal.

City of Lockport (Winner)
County: Niagara County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (716) 439-6665

The City of Lockport, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and the NYS Dept. of Transportation, completed the rehabilitation of their downtown. The project included asphalt pavement replacement, storm sewer improvements, reconstruction of intersections, street light & traffic signal replacement, and timing improvements. Decorative and historic elements were combined to compliment the Erie Canal's enormous lock system. As a result of this project, new businesses are returning from the mall venues outside of the City, and a new "City Center" is nearing completion.

Village of Port Chester (Winner)
County: Westchester County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
Village Hall: (914) 939-5200

The Village of Port Chester entered into a redevelopment project with G&S Investors with a vision for the village's central business district. The redevelopment project included the construction of approximately 1⁄2 million square feet of new commercial space and the acquisition of 32 separate parcels of land. The project incorporated large footprint retail facilities in the center of an existing downtown. These facilities, typically located on outlying highway corridors or within strip malls, have been brought into the village's central business district.

Village of Frankfort (Winner)
County: Herkimer County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (315) 895-7651

The Village of Frankfort has instituted a public/private partnership with a local company to help spur local economic development, improve operational efficiency, and help insure competitive broadband pricing to its citizens. It was made possible by leveraging the municipal light department's electrical distribution assets and crew as a viable part of the network operations.  The private company funded the design, operations, and network equipment with the support of investors and grants such that the village has had no out-of-pocket expenses. The private company has provided local employment as it derives subscriber revenue from a service that saves the customer $20 per month over the broadband cable price.