Farmingdale Village Receives $4.5M Grant For Performing Arts Center

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale Village is set to receive a $4.5 million grant after winning the third round of the NY Forward Program, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.

The village plans to use the funding for a Performing Arts Center, Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand said. Ekstrand said the village and its officials are "thrilled" to have won the grant.

"Thank you to New York State!" Ekstrand stated in a news release. "We are so fortunate and thankful for the incredible efforts of all involved who helped secure the grant, it’s truly spectacular news for our community! As everyone knows, Farmingdale Village has been going through an incredible revitalization and has become a downtown destination. Our Business Improvement District was formed in 2021, and shortly thereafter; our downtown was designated as "the Culinary Quarter Mile." Farmingdale Village was also voted Best LI Downtown 2025 — in the FourLeaf (Formerly BFCU), Annual contest, the last 10 out of 11 years! In the Village; we all work as a team; and there are also many music fests (“Music on Main, etc..); art shows and basically culture everywhere! But the one desire was always for a Cultural Arts Center! So this is the icing on the cake; the Farmingdale Village Cake! We are beyond thrilled and our community will be dancing in the street! (Literally!) Thank you!"

The Village of Hempstead also received $10 million in the eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

"Long Island’s downtowns are more than hubs for business, they’re the infrastructure that inspires people to build a better world around them," Hochul stated. "By investing nearly $15 million in revitalizing Hempstead and Farmingdale, we’re creating stronger communities that honor their history and possibility — paving a path for generations of Long Islanders to experience all they have to offer."

Hempstead and Farmingdale will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners.

The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of state grant funds in revitalization projects that are poised for implementation, will advance the community’s vision for their downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state's investment.

Farmingdale Village was described by the state as a "compact area mixed with small parcels and dense building coverage, mixed land uses and charming architecture."

It is situated among some of the "most popular tourist destinations in New York state," the state wrote.

"Due to the Village’s characteristics, Farmingdale is focusing on projects that will yield dramatic and positive effects, thereby advancing an active downtown with a strong sense of place," New York state wrote. "The Village seeks to attract new businesses, encourage a diverse population, improve downtown living and quality of life and enhance the pedestrian walkability and cyclability of the downtown."

Each of the state's 10 economic development regions receive awards from each program, to make for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities "boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods."

The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all criteria before recommending these communities as nominees.

LIREDC co-chairs Linda Armyn, president and CEO at FourLeaf Federal Credit Union Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, president of Long Island University, released a joint statement on the grants for Long Island.

"Hempstead and Farmingdale presented compelling visions for their downtown corridors that will create new opportunities for housing, business growth, and community engagement. The Village of Hempstead's focus on enhancing its historic Main Street while expanding housing and cultural amenities, coupled with Farmingdale's plans to strengthen its walkable downtown core, exemplify the kind of forward-thinking development that will benefit Long Island for generations to come. We look forward to working with both communities as they implement their strategic investment plans."