A new round of state economic development and planning awards is sending millions of dollars into projects across the Finger Lakes, from lakefront redevelopment in Canandaigua to canal-front improvements in Wayne County and a major new museum building in Yates County.
The funding is part of New York’s 2025 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative and spans multiple state agencies and programs. The projects range from “plan-then-act” waterfront revitalization work and brownfield planning to housing-enabling infrastructure, downtown reinvestment, tourism marketing, and core water-and-sewer upgrades. Below is a county-by-county breakdown of projects in Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Schuyler, Wayne and Yates counties receiving funding.
Cayuga County
Historic preservation: Case Mansion roof rehabilitation (Auburn)
The First Presbyterian Church of Auburn received $141,867 to restore the historic Case Mansion at 108 South Street. The project focuses on repairing and replacing aging roofing systems to protect the structure and preserve the National Register-listed building for continued community use as a retreat center, event space and educational resource.
Water infrastructure: Village of Weedsport
The Village of Weedsport received $2 million to replace and upgrade aging water system infrastructure throughout the village, addressing long-term reliability and public health concerns.
Tourism and hospitality: Sterling
Colloca Estate Winery is receiving $1 million to support development of a hotel and conference center at its winery in Sterling. The project is intended to expand Cayuga County’s tourism infrastructure with guest rooms, event space, dining and wellness amenities tied to the Lake Ontario Wine Trail.
Workforce and services: Auburn
Mozaic (The ARC of Cayuga County) received $250,000 to renovate its Auburn facility and expand workforce training, vocational programming and collaborative services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ontario County
Canandaigua lakefront redevelopment
The Canandaigua Area Development Corporation received $2.5 million to build public infrastructure supporting redevelopment of a 14-acre lakefront site along Lakeshore Drive. The project includes a new public street, expanded parking, utilities, pedestrian trails and public restrooms. The site is envisioned for a mix of public amenities and future development, including a park, splash pad, outdoor stage, seasonal ice rink and improved lake access.
Housing infrastructure: Village of Phelps
The Village of Phelps received $2.888 million for water and sewer infrastructure expansions to support a future housing development expected to increase the village’s housing stock by roughly 25 percent. Plans call for 144 new housing units, including single-family homes, 55-plus patio homes, apartments and senior housing.
Housing infrastructure: Town of Canandaigua
The Town of Canandaigua received $3 million for electric grid infrastructure upgrades tied to the Uptown Landing residential development. The work includes substation upgrades, new transformers and service extensions needed to support a 100-acre, multi-developer housing project planned for 634 residential units.
Town officials said the money will pay for critical electric grid upgrades needed before construction can move forward. Planned work includes electric service extensions, substation upgrades, a new transformer, and expanded distribution and transmission lines.
Outgoing Town Supervisor Jared Simpson said the award reflects years of planning and coordination.
“This project has been a priority for the Town of Canandaigua for several years,” Simpson said. “Without major electric upgrades, this development simply could not move forward” .
He said the funding represents a long-term investment in responsible growth and infrastructure that can support housing and quality of life.
State Sen. Pam Helming said infrastructure investments like this play a key role in affordability and economic growth.
“Reliable electric infrastructure is the backbone of affordability, economic development, and quality of life,” Helming said, adding that the funding will help support businesses and residents .
Waste and emissions planning
Ontario County received $60,000 to develop an organics management plan as it prepares to close the county landfill by the end of 2028. The plan will assess organic waste volumes, infrastructure gaps and diversion opportunities aimed at reducing emissions and landfill dependence.
Stormwater and creek resilience: Geneva
The City of Geneva received $60,000 to study the feasibility of daylighting Castle Creek between Main Street and Bicentennial Park. The study will compare daylighting to culvert upgrades while assessing climate impacts and long-term resilience.
Smart growth planning: Geneva
Geneva also received $99,000 to complete a Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan focused on housing, economic development, community revitalization and climate resiliency.
Tourism infrastructure: Bristol Mountain
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort received $384,000 to construct an additional snowmaking reservoir, expanding water capacity to improve winter operations and adapt to changing climate conditions.
Seneca County
Water infrastructure: Village of Interlaken
The Village of Interlaken received $2 million for construction upgrades to its public water system, addressing aging infrastructure and long-term service reliability.
Tourism marketing: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail received $63,850 to fund a targeted tourism marketing campaign aimed at the Philadelphia regional market, designed to increase visitation and spending across Seneca County and the broader Finger Lakes.
Multi-county water quality planning
Seneca County is participating in a regional intermunicipal water quality project spanning Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca and Tompkins counties. The effort focuses on planning and design of best management practices to reduce nutrient loading and protect Cayuga Lake.
Schuyler County
Winery expansion: Dundee
Domaine Leseurre received $100,000 to support a winery expansion project in Dundee, aimed at increasing production capacity and enhancing the visitor experience as part of the Finger Lakes’ wine tourism economy.
Cayuga Lake watershed planning
Schuyler County is also included in the multi-county Cayuga Lake water quality planning initiative focused on nutrient reduction and long-term lake health.
Wayne County
Erie Canal revitalization: Lyons Western Gateway Park
Wayne County received $150,000 for phase one of the Lyons Western Gateway Park project. The initiative targets redevelopment of multiple canal-front parcels within a former brownfield site, improving public access while establishing space for arts, recreation and tourism.
Waterfront planning: Town of Macedon
The Town of Macedon received $66,555 to develop a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program covering areas along the Erie Canal and Ganargua Creek. The plan will guide future development, environmental protection and public access improvements.
Downtown economic planning: Village of Red Creek
The Village of Red Creek received $50,000 to complete a Comprehensive Economic Development Plan aimed at revitalizing its downtown and strengthening long-term economic stability.
Yates County
New museum facility: Branchport
The Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum (Saunders Finger Lakes Museum) received $2 million to construct a new museum building in Branchport. The facility will house indoor exhibits focused on the region’s natural history, culture and ecology, significantly expanding year-round programming.
Winery expansion: Dundee
Domaine Leseurre received $100,000 to support a winery expansion project in Dundee, aimed at increasing production capacity and enhancing the visitor experience as part of the Finger Lakes’ wine tourism economy.
Canandaigua Lake watershed drainage improvements
Yates County is part of a joint Ontario-Yates project receiving $750,000 to improve roadside drainage networks feeding into Canandaigua Lake. The work is intended to reduce erosion, sedimentation and nutrient runoff while improving flood resiliency.
Regional food system infrastructure
Yates County is included in Foodlink’s multi-county infrastructure improvement project, which received $440,000 to expand training, community engagement and food access capacity across the Finger Lakes.
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