Mid-Hudson REDC Awards Millions to Westchester for Critical Infrastructure, Housing, and Climate Resilience

Westchester County communities and organizations secured significant funding in the latest round of grants from the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (REDC).

The awards, totaling millions of dollars, are set to accelerate transformative projects across the region, ranging from essential stormwater management and transit-oriented infrastructure to major mixed-use developments in Yonkers and White Plains. The funding supports the Business Council of Westchester’s (BCW) advocacy for sustainable economic growth and modernization.

“The Regional Economic Development Council plays a pivotal role in identifying and advancing projects that are not just desirable, but critical to our local communities’ future,” said BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Mid-Hudson REDC. “These grants are directly fueling our region’s modernization, helping us meet ambitious climate goals, and addressing the urgent need for housing. By supporting these initiatives, the REDC is ensuring that Westchester remains a vibrant, resilient place to live and do business.”

Several awards focused on preparing Westchester’s infrastructure for the realities of a changing climate.

The Village of Briarcliff Manor received $1,972,903 for the third and final phase of the Law Park Drainage project. This critical infrastructure upgrade will right-size stormwater conveyance piping to alleviate chronic flooding. The new system can manage a 25-year storm event plus an additional 20% increase in peak flow, specifically accounting for increased storm intensity due to climate change.

In Peekskill, the REDC awarded $1,775,436 to upgrade the HVAC system at the historic Paramount Theatre. This project serves a dual purpose: reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and establishing the downtown theater as a designated cooling center. This will offer the community a reliable refuge during increasingly severe heat waves.

Projects that reduce reliance on cars and connect residents to mass transit also scored grants.

The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson secured $1,156,894 to install new sidewalks and bicycle lanes along Ravensdale Road and Saw Mill River Road. This infrastructure creates a continuous network connecting schools, the train station, and downtown. Notably, it fills a gap in the connection to the South County Trail (Empire State Trail), enabling cyclists and runners to access the trail system without driving.

Similarly, the Village of Irvington received $550,000 to install sidewalks on South Buckhout Street. This project is vital for connecting the Half Moon and Spiro Park neighborhoods to the Metro-North station, addressing a dangerous gap in pedestrian infrastructure, and encouraging rail travel over vehicle use.

Two major private developments also received funding to spur economic activity and housing availability.

Extell Hudson Waterfront LLC was approved for $1,500,000 for a key phase of the Hudson Piers project in Yonkers. This phase includes new retail space and a 34,000-square-foot public park, opening a previously inaccessible section of the waterfront. The wider development aims to address the regional housing shortage by delivering over 1,000 new units, including over 100 affordable homes.

Fisher Hill Owner LLC received $650,000 to construct commercial space within the Sheffield Residences in White Plains. This transit-oriented development, which includes over 100 affordable housing units, is essential for providing stability for local families and creating a positive economic ripple effect downtown.

The other grant recipients are:

Village of Mamaroneck, Emergency Operations Preparedness, Planning, and Training, Project, $115,304

Village of Mamaroneck, Municipal Fleet Inventory and Efficiency Planning Project, $52,000

City of New Rochelle, Citywide Tree Plantings, $112,500

Historic Hudson Valley, Seasonal Special Events Tourism Working Capital, $237,196

City of White Plains, World Cup Fan Fest Event Tourism Working Capital, $150,000

Village of Dobbs Ferry, Lower Memorial Park Improvements, $675,000