HEUVELTON NY FORWARD DRAFT VISION AND GOALS

As part of the Heuvelton NY Forward application, the community was required to provide a brief statement of their vision for downtown revitalization. As part of the NY Forward Program, the Local Planning Committee (LPC) will review the initial vision from the Heuvelton NY Forward application and make modifications to best reflect the unique characteristics of Heuvelton and incorporate community feedback gathered during the immersive public engagement sessions and outreach activities.

In support of the Heuvelton's vision, goals are also established. Goals are intended to be detailed, attainable, and action-oriented, and they should support the vision.

The LPC will be evaluating projects received through the Open Call for Projects to verify whether the projects align with State and Local evaluation criteria, as well as the vision and goals.

The following draft vision and goals were submitted in the Village of Heuvelton NY Forward application. Check the project website for updates to the vision and goals as the NY Forward process proceeds. Alignment with the Village of Heuvelton's vision and goals will be a criteria that the LPC will be using to evaluate submitted projects.

REVISED VISION

Downtown Heuvelton is a walkable and welcoming riverside community. State Street serves as a commercial corridor and gathering place for all residents and visitors by honoring its rich history and supporting a lively mix of entrepreneurship, cultural activities, and community events. Heuvelton’s thoughtfully revitalized downtown includes a diverse mix of housing and services to meet community needs and strengthen the local economy where visitors are drawn to the Village’s nature-based recreation along the Oswegatchie River. Downtown Heuvelton is a cultural hub where historic character, economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and community pride come together to create a distinctive sense of place.

REVISED GOALS

GOAL 1: Enhance Heuvelton’s economic vitality by promoting a thriving downtown economy that supports local businesses, encourages entrepreneurship, and attracts new opportunities.

GOAL 2: Foster a livable, inclusive downtown with housing options that can meet the needs of all Heuvelton residents.

GOAL 3: Activate downtown Heuvelton by improving physical connections and shared spaces.

GOAL 4: Support community connections by celebrating vibrant downtown destinations that reflect Heuvelton’s historic identity and shared sense of pride

GOAL 5: Promote environmental stewardship and community well-being through Heuvelton's built environment, natural, recreational, and scenic assets.

NEW YORK STATE REVITALIZATION GOALS

Create an active downtown with a strong sense of place.
Attract new businesses that create a robust mix of shopping, entertainment, and service options for residents and visitors, and that provide job opportunities for a variety of skills and salaries.
Enhance public spaces for arts and cultural events that serve the existing members of the community but also draw in visitors from around the region.
Build a diverse population, with residents and workers supported by complementary diverse housing and employment opportunities.
Grow the local property tax base.
Provide amenities that support and enhance downtown living and quality of life.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support investments that are more resilient to future climate change impacts.

NORTH COUNTRY REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL GOALS

Per the North Country (REDC): "The North Country will lead the economic renaissance of New York State's small cities and rural communities, improve the fortunes of the region’s residents, cherish the region’s vast natural resources, provide access to world class outdoor amenities, and embody a vibrant, resilient spirit.” Goals of the North Country (REDC) are:

Create livable, attractive, and connected communities where people want to live, work, visit, and invest.

Support, grow, and diversify North Country’s major industries to serve domestic and global markets.

Foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation that grows and attracts entrepreneurs and companies seeking to market emerging technologies and solutions by creating synergies between research, development, and commercialization.

Develop a resilient and diversified workforce through attraction, training, and retention efforts to meet the needs of our employers, our workers, and their families.

Build a regional ecosystem to support owner occupied and rental housing development and rehabilitation for the region’s workforce in the 80% - 200% Area Median Income (AMI) range to create healthy, sustainable, and diverse communities to support the region’s businesses and employers.

Prioritize the opportunities and threats unique to communities within the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, impacting its economy, communities, environment, and people.

Build the most robust transitioning soldier and spouse retention pipeline in the country.