ALYSSA BUMP
Chief Copy & Design Editor
Small towns are facing big problems across the country. Population declines, budget cuts and business closures have deeply impacted communities across the Western New York region, like Dunkirk.
On Monday morning, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Dunkirk is the awardee of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant at the Dunkirk Clarion Hotel Conference Center on Lake Erie.
Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas was in attendance and accepted the award on behalf of the City of Dunkirk. SUNY Fredonia President Dr. Stephen H. Kolison Jr. and a small group of SUNY Fredonia students were also present for the announcement.
As a Hamburg native, Hochul spoke on the unique likability of Western New York, ranging from its historical value to its beautiful surroundings. She honored the individuals that make up these communities.
“[This] region is known for something incredible, and that is its resilience, its toughness, its ability to come back after adversity,” Hochul said. “… There is nothing better, more tougher, more resilient and more loving than the people in these communities that are going to be recognized today.”
Hochul granted two more Western New York towns, Wellsville and Lancaster, with the NY Forward Awards, each amounting in $4.5 million. Lancaster Mayor Lynne Ruda and Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler were also in attendance for the announcement.
Despite the challenges these areas have faced in the last five years, Hochul said she sees and feels “an extraordinary story of comeback” on the horizon.
When speaking about Dunkirk, Hochul highlighted its waterfront location and close proximity to Lake Erie. She also hopes funds are used to restore the historic downtown district.
Hochul thanked Dunkirk’s Planning and Development Committee for “putting forth a vision to create a sense of place that is genuine and authentic.”
The community leaders of Dunkirk, Lancaster and Wellsville and their passion for the prosperity of their areas were also recognized by Hochul. She made note that these communities will no longer have to fight these battles on their own.
“There are so many communities that feel like for a long time, no one paid attention to them. I know this because I am from here. That era is over,” Hochul said. “Every community, regardless of size, regardless of population, matters to me. So this is deeply personal. I want you to shine.”
Since Rosas has stepped into office, he has worked to revitalize the downtown and waterfront area of Dunkirk.
“We’re ready to take that giant step to become a destination here in Western New York,” Rosas said. “We believe that this plan that we proposed will help us to bring in folks from … the State of Pennsylvania and the State of Ohio.”
Rosas recognized the work of many partners, including Vincent DeJoy, Dunkirk’s director of Planning and Development.
Dunkirk’s submitted plan presents 10 different projects the city is looking to fund. Rosas made note of a few of these projects, which include the development of the Dunkirk Marina, a new waterpark and the Jamestown Community College in Dunkirk.
Ruda and Shayler also spoke about the different ways they plan to use their funds. Once at the podium, Ruda announced she is a SUNY Fredonia alum, and she spoke directly to the SUNY Fredonia students present at the announcement.
“My advice to you is to dream big, to work hard and put your time in and great things will happen,” she said.
Ruda spoke about the impact the $4.5 million will have on Lancaster, describing it as “an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“This funding is going to provide us with the opportunity to be a beacon for the rest of New York State to show how a community who has fallen on hard times can uplift itself,” Ruda said. “So today, we celebrate. But tomorrow, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”