After receiving a 10 million dollar grant from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, the Village of Clinton has initiated plans to transform its charming and quaint downtown into a vibrant hub that will bolster the town’s local economy. Several members of the Hamilton community have contributed to this project. Michael Debraggio, executive writer and director of community relations for Hamilton, served as the principal author of the grant. Several other Hamilton community members, including Gill King, secretary of the board of Trustees, and Steve Balloon, former vice president, serve as members of the Clinton Kirkland Improvement Organization.

The grant has proposed 21 potential projects for its plan of revitalization. One potential plan includes the establishment of a new franchise hotel, an addition that would provide students’ families a convenient place to stay during their visits. Families would have the chance to intimately engage with the town their children now call home. Supporting the town’s historic offerings, the plan includes renovating historic Lumbard Hall on the north end of the Village Green. Renovations of this historic hub would provide citizens and students the chance to more meaningfully learn about the town’s legacy. Furthermore, the plan also includes widening the village’s sidewalks to make the town a more walkable and accessible space for both visitors and residents. Moreover, the plan also focuses on creating opportunities for citizens to pursue healthy lifestyles through the expansion of Kirkland trails. Along with physically expanding the trails, the town also hopes to improve local walking tours of these trails, providing another opportunity to share the local history and beauty. The plans seek to avoid dismantling the village’s character and long time treasures. For example, the plan includes expanding the town’s ever loved Alteri’s Restaurants, which has endured many obstacles faced by small businesses during the pandemic. Plans to improve the town’s library and art center also reveal the town’s commitment to bolstering its existing educational institutions.

With this grant, Clinton now has the chance to further support and showcase its cultural, educational and historic offerings to all who visit and those who call it home.