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Finger Lakes wins $42.6M in state funding for housing, infrastructure and food hub projects
Finger Lakes wins $42.6M in state funding for housing, infrastructure and food hub projects
Listen to this articleThe Finger Lakes region has been awarded $42.6 million in state funding through Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative, supporting 48 projects across nine counties aimed at expanding housing, strengthening infrastructure and fueling economic growth.
The funding is part of New York State’s ongoing effort to advance regionally driven strategies that align public investment with local priorities, including housing supply, workforce development, food access and community revitalization.
Among the largest awards in the Finger Lakes region is a $3.27 million Pro Housing Supply Fund grant to the Town of Henrietta, which will complete a major infrastructure project to extend Fair Avenue and relocate an existing trunk sewer.
The project also includes new water, storm sewer, electric and gas service, creating capacity to support 550 new housing units. Planned development includes a mix of affordable senior housing and market-rate apartments, while also indirectly enabling additional municipal recreation and community space and expanded retail plaza development.
Additionally, Headwater Foods, a regional food hub, received a $3 million Regional Council Capital Fund grant to construct a new headquarters and operations center in Rochester.
The new facility will expand food distribution capacity, provide cold storage and light processing to reduce spoilage, and help diversify markets for New York farms and food businesses. The project will transform a vacant former gas station site into a civic and commercial anchor, while improving access to affordable, healthy food in a distressed area of Rochester.
Housing infrastructure is also a central focus in the Village of Phelps, which was awarded $2.88 million through the Pro Housing Supply Fund. The village will extend public water and sewer service to support a future housing development that will increase its housing stock by 25 percent. The planned project includes 144 new housing units, featuring a mix of single-family homes, 55+ patio homes, 55+ apartments and traditional apartments.
State officials say the projects reflect the goals of the REDC program, which emphasizes collaboration among local governments, businesses, nonprofits and community stakeholders.
“By awarding state funding to projects that align with regional priorities, New York is investing in new ideas, new efforts and new developments to promote community growth throughout the state,” said Hope Knight, president, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development.
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