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Naturally Lewis Awards Over $551K Through Community
Economic Development Programs in 2025; Applications Now Open for 2026
Funding
Published: January 18, 2026
at 12:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from Naturally Lewis
Naturally Lewis Announces
$33.2 Million Economic Impact from 2025 Community Economic Development Programs;
2026 Applications Now Open
Lewis County, NY – Naturally Lewis,
Inc. is excited to announce the results of its 2025 Community Economic Development
Programs, which funded 32 projects across Lewis County, generating a total economic
impact of over
$33.2 million. A total
of $551,578.50 was awarded to businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, schools,
and community organizations through multiple funding programs. A full list of
2025 funded projects and award amounts is included below.
The Community Economic
Development Program was established in 2022 through a Host Community Agreement
(HCA) between the Lewis County Development Corporation (LCDC) and Number Three
Wind, providing $150,000 in annual investment to support local economic growth,
revitalization, and community development. The impact of the program has been
strengthened through additional funding partners, including Lewis County Board
of Legislators for the Vacant Property Revitalization Fund ($1.5 million) and
the HLH Living Trust to create the Events & Festivals focus area within
the Small Things, Big Impacts Fund ($20,000).
“Each of these projects
represents an investment not just in a single business or organization, but
in the long-term vitality of our communities,” said Jenna Lauraine, Naturally
Lewis Programs and Partnerships Director. “Through creative funding partnerships,
we are excited to be able to offer these opportunities to the Lewis County community
into the future. The scale of impact we continue to see reflects the power of
locally driven investment to strengthen our local economy and quality of life.”
In 2026, Naturally
Lewis received an additional $150,000 through the Host Community Agreement with
Number Three Wind, renewing the following programs:
 Small Things, Big
Impacts Fund – $20,000
Community Connections
Fund – $30,000
Building Business
Fund – $100,000
These programs are
designed to support business growth, organizational capacity, community-driven
projects, and strategic investments that strengthen Lewis County’s economy and
quality of life. Since 2023, 98 projects have been administered through the
Community Economic Development Programs, resulting in a cumulative $40.9 million
in economic impact countywide.
Applications are now
open, and funding is awarded on a competitive basis. Eligible applicants are
encouraged to learn more about program guidelines and application deadlines
by visiting www.naturallylewis.com.
2025 Funded Projects & Awards
Recipients included
local businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and private
developers advancing redevelopment projects throughout Lewis County.
Vacant Property Revitalization
Fund
4113 Center Street
Renovation ($39,812.50) – To transform a vacant commercial space into an occupied
business.
Harrisville Bistro
Project ($20,000) – To rebuild commercial space on a site that recently underwent
demolition of a dilapidated structure.
Harrisville Coffee
Co. ($20,000) – To inspect, repair, or replace the septic system and complete
construction needed to operate a small-scale café.
Opera House Cantina
($85,000) – To revitalize the historic opera house, including exterior restoration,
second-floor opera house improvements, and a full commercial kitchen build-out
for a new Tex-Mex restaurant.
Rochester’s Cornerstone
Group, Ltd. ($100,000) – Toward the adaptive reuse of the former Glenfield Elementary
School to create 63 affordable housing units.
Top View Apartments
($100,000) – To revitalize the former Lyons Falls School into 20 medium- to
high-end apartment units.
Building Business
Fund
Harrisville Coffee
Co. ($20,000) – Toward equipment and furniture purchases to launch the café.
Moving Mountains Café
($39,866) – Toward remodeling and kitchen equipment to expand offerings.
Zehr’s Flowers and
Landscaping ($35,500) – To purchase silt sock equipment and office/IT infrastructure.
Business Retention
Fund
QubicaAMF ($50,000) – For equipment
upgrades to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate
emissions.
Community Connections
Fund
Lewis County Homeschool
Connection ($11,472.50) – Toward curriculum development and office equipment
needs.
ReNew Bremen, Inc. ($5,000)
– Toward ongoing efforts to revitalize Wagner Field.
Three G Volunteer
Fire Company, Inc. ($5,000) – Toward building upgrades to create an updated
community hub.
Town of Diana ($8,500)
– To develop a conceptual master plan and scoping report for future recreational
park improvements.
Small Things, Big
Impacts Fund
Beaver River Central
School ($1,500) – To support a new collaborative recycling program.
Black River Valley
Four Wheeler Club ($2,000) – Website design.
Croghan Library ($800)
– Exterior signage.
Crumbs Bake Shop ($1,000)
– Website design for the Flour Loft Airbnb.
Dani’s Daffodils ($600)
– Professional development coursework.
Great Lot Sportsman’s
Club Corp ($1,000) – Exterior signage.
Hartley’s Meat Market
($500) – Exterior signage.
Azahar Roast House
($1,000) – Commercial espresso equipment for a mobile coffee cart.
Lewis County Homeschool
Connection ($1,000) – Website design.
Lowville Appliance
& Air Conditioning, LLC ($1,000) – Exterior signage.
Lowville Dental Care
($2,500) – Website design and exterior signage.
NC Handymen LLC ($1,000)
– Website design.
PhoebeNix Pet Salon LLC ($1,000)
– Equipment upgrades to expand offerings.
Pine Grove Community
Church Preservation Society, Inc. ($1,000) – Exterior signage.
The Bloom Bar Floral
& Gift Shop ($1,000) – Exterior signage.
Top View Apartments
($2,500) – Website design.
Events & Festivals
Fund
Little Village Mushrooms
($2,500) – Equipment and furniture purchases to support pop-up events.
Town of Diana Community
Days 5K ($1,000) – Reusable event promotion signage.
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About Naturally Lewis, Inc.: Naturally Lewis,
Inc. is an independent, nonprofit, economic development organization serving
Lewis County, NY. Here, we're real community members collaborating with our
communities to champion the growth of a Lewis County
where we all want to live, work, build business, and play. As experts in economic
development, we're looking at the big picture, solving large-scale challenges,
and connecting with key stakeholders across New York State.
Lewis County Development Corporation: The LCDC, a Local Development Corporation, is a not-for-profit
countywide organization dedicated to utilizing and creating assets for economic
and community development. The mission of the Lewis County Development Corporation
is to drive economic prosperity in Lewis County through innovative property
development, strategic funding initiatives for business development and transparent
community collaboration.
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