Southern Tier, N.Y. — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) awarded $22.7 million in Climate Smart Communities grants to municipalities across New York, supporting 43 infrastructure and sustainability projects designed to address climate change while reducing emissions. The announcement, made January 2, 2026, funds projects ranging from pedestrian infrastructure to comprehensive community sustainability planning in regions including the Southern Tier, Tompkins County, and Broome County.
The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant Program, funded through New York State's $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and the State's Environmental Protection Fund, supports local governments prioritizing climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
The 2026 grant round awards $22.7 million across 43 projects statewide, with funding dedicated to:
Village of Lansing, Tompkins County: $572,139 Award
The Village of Lansing received the largest award to construct a comprehensive new sidewalk system connecting critical community destinations:
The project directly supports reduction in vehicle use by creating safe, continuous pedestrian pathways. By connecting residents to essential services on foot, the Village of Lansing reduces personal vehicle trips, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
Town of Chenango, Broome County: $90,000 Award
The Town of Chenango will use its grant to develop comprehensive long-term sustainability planning. The project will create community plans incorporating:
By developing proactive plans now, Chenango can align future development with climate resilience and operational efficiency.
As part of the Climate Smart Communities grant program structure, municipalities must provide 50% matching funds for most projects. This requirement ensures local commitment and leverages state funding with community investment.
For the Lansing sidewalk project:
This matching requirement means projects represent true public investment in community infrastructure and sustainability.
To date, more than 465 local governments representing approximately 92% of New York's population have committed to the Climate Safe Communities pledge, pledging to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts. This widespread commitment demonstrates New York State's coordinated approach to environmental sustainability and emissions reduction.
The Climate Smart Communities grant program represents part of New York State's broader commitment to environmental investment:
Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act ($4.2B): Approved by voters, this bond finances environmental infrastructure across New York, including water quality improvements, air quality protection, and green job creation.
Environmental Protection Fund: State dedicated funding for environmental projects, conservation, and community resilience programs.
Pedestrian Infrastructure: Rural and upstate communities often lack continuous, safe pedestrian networks. The Lansing sidewalk project demonstrates how investments in "last mile" pedestrian connections can enable people to walk for daily errands rather than drive.
Emissions Reduction Impact: Even modest shifts from vehicle use to walking reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health through increased physical activity.
Long-term Planning: Chenango's planning grant positions the town to make strategic decisions about development, conservation, and resource management aligned with climate goals and community values.
Economic Development Alignment: Communities that prioritize sustainability can attract residents, businesses, and investment seeking environmentally conscious locations. This can enhance economic competitiveness for rural areas.
Projects like the Lansing sidewalk improvement represent direct construction opportunities:
Local construction contractors in the Southern Tier and Tompkins County should monitor municipal projects for bidding and subcontracting opportunities as the Lansing project moves forward.
The Chenango planning grant will produce comprehensive community sustainability documents that guide future development approvals, zoning decisions, and capital improvement planning. These plans typically include:
With grant awards made in January 2026, typical timelines for funded projects include:
Interested contractors and professionals should reach out to Lansing municipal government to learn about bidding opportunities and project timelines.
The Climate Smart Communities grant program is one of several state initiatives supporting emissions reduction and climate resilience:
For municipalities, these programs offer multiple funding pathways for different types of sustainability projects.
Source: WBNG (Southern Tier, NY), January 2, 2026 and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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