(APN) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced an $8 million investment in the Local Government Efficiency Grant (LGEG) program, doubling its funding to help municipalities streamline operations, reduce costs, and lower property taxes. The initiative supports projects involving shared services, consolidations, and dissolutions between local governments, benefiting property taxpayers across New York.
The 2024 funding includes $7.2 million for implementation grants, capped at $1.25 million per project, and $800,000 for planning grants, capped at $100,000. Regional projects led by planning boards or counties are prioritized, with additional support for evaluating future projects. Priority is given to initiatives addressing cybersecurity, emergency services, code enforcement, water management, or climate change.
Since its inception, the LGEG program has funded nearly 500 projects totaling $105 million, with long-term savings estimated at $650 million for local governments. Applications for the current round are due by January 22, 2025. This expanded funding aims to empower municipalities to deliver essential services more efficiently while reducing the tax burden for New Yorkers.