Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corp.

04/30/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Niagara County Launches Home Improvement Program

Niagara County Legislators Rich Andres and Rick Abbott today announced the launch of a pilot program funded by the New York State Landbank Initiative and administered by the Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corp. (NORLIC) that will provide grants to eligible homeowners in the City of North Tonawanda and the City of Lockport for home repairs. The goal of the Home Improvement Program is to help middle-income families make critical repairs to their homes, thereby ensuring neighborhood stability and preventing neglect.

“We are excited New York State is funding this pilot program in North Tonawanda and the City of Lockport as part of the county’s strategy to promote neighborhood revitalization,” said Andres, who chairs the county’s Economic Development Committee. “Our hope is that this pilot program achieves our goals and we can return to the state for additional funding to expand it to other areas of the county in coming years,”

Eligibility for the program is based on household income up to 120 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), which is about $120,000 for a family of four in Niagara County. Eligible home improvements could include: roof and gutter replacement; chimney repair; window replacement; furnace replacement; air conditioning replacement and electrical service upgrades.

“For many Lockport families, the affordability crisis means that necessary improvements to their homes have been put on the backburner, no matter how critical the work may be, and costs just continue to go up,” said Abbott, who represents much of the City of Lockport. “The Home Improvement Program not only offers financial support to get this work done now, but ultimately helps prevent blight in our neighborhoods.”

The maximum grant through the Home Improvement Program is $20,000. This is a reimbursement-based grant program. Homeowners are responsible for paying upfront for all approved work and will be reimbursed after completion, subject to program requirements. An informational webinar will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM and will be recorded for later viewing for those unable to participate.

Applications must be received no later than Friday, May 29, 2026. Applications submitted without all required supporting documentation will be considered incomplete. Funds are limited so applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.

For a full list of program guidelines & eligibility criteria, to register for the webinar and to download a program application, visit the NORLIC website at https://niagaraorleanslandbank.com/home_improvement.html.

03/27/2026

This morning, NORLIC held its annual reorganizational meeting and elected the following leadership to the Board of Directors.

Niagara County Manager Rick Updegrove as Chairman

Niagara County Legislator Chris McKimmie as Vice Chairman

North Tonawanda Building Inspector Rob DePaolo as Secretary

Congratulations to our new leadership team. We look forward to another successful year of revitalizing our communities and combating blight across Niagara and Orleans Counties.

12/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for our Developers’ Forum on Historic Tax Credits and Incentives for Niagara Falls Main Street properties. The event was sponsored by NORLIC, the Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency, Empire State Development, and Preservation Studios, and it brought together dozens of stakeholders who are committed to revitalizing our community’s historic corridor.

A special thank you to Derek King of Preservation Studios for providing an exceptionally thorough and insightful overview of the Historic Tax Credit process. His presentation gave developers a clear understanding of how to access and leverage these incentives to support their projects and encourage continued investment along Main Street.

11/07/2025

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far to our Niagara County Center for Economic Development food drive.

Your kindness is real. Your care is felt. Your generosity is part of the fabric that holds our communities together as we prepare for the season ahead.

We are continuing our collection through November 24. Every can, every box, every contribution truly matters. Small acts of care ripple far.

If you’ve been meaning to give, consider this your friendly invitation.

Drop-off Location:
6311 Inducon Corporate Drive
Sanborn, NY 14132
Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM

Let’s keep showing that Niagara County takes care of its own.
We are at our best when we are together.

Thank you. Truly.

10/09/2025

Last week on Main Street, Niagara Falls turned a page toward renewal.

In partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, Empire State Development, and Niagara County, and Niagara University, NORLIC celebrated the first four recipients of Main Street properties.

Each of these projects represents a seed of investment- real people committing to rebuild the heart of our city one property at a time.

From left to right in this photo: RJ Niagara, Develop Niagara, architect James Baptiste (whose firm is leading the $17 million restoration of the historic Jenss Building), are joined by Mayor Robert Restaino and the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area team to the right.

What makes this milestone so meaningful is how many hands are now shaping Main Street’s future. For the first time in decades, its story is being written by a diverse group of local stakeholders who believe in its potential and are ready to make it real.

This is how true revitalization begins- not all at once, but through steady, shared work that takes root and grows stronger with every partnership.

07/16/2025

Progress on Main Street isn’t just about dumpsters and debris, it’s about healing.

We’re proud to work alongside the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara County, the State of New York, and Niagara University to begin truly addressing the long-standing conditions on Main Street.

At NORLIC, our mission is to take on the vacant, the abandoned, and the forgotten. But what we’re really doing is picking up pieces of a story, one filled with heartbreak, hope, and the enduring power of community.

These dumpsters hold more than old furniture and broken glass. They hold grief. They hold memories. They hold the tangible weight of disinvestment. And clearing them out is a sacred step toward renewal.

Main Street is worth saving. Worth restoring. Worth believing in again.

Walk the gorge. Stroll Main Street. See what’s stirring beneath the surface. Because believing in Main Street is the first step to bringing it back.

It’s not uncommon to see a Dumpster or two in front of buildings on a main street in a city.

07/09/2025

Yesterday, stakeholders joined dozens of local developers for our Main Street Developers’ Forum to explore the exciting and transformative progress taking place along Main Street in Niagara Falls.

Thank you to Empire State Development, Niagara County, Invest Buffalo Niagara, the City of Niagara Falls, and the Rodriguez Group for their unwavering support of this important initiative to breathe new life into Main Street and restore it as a thriving hub for residents and visitors alike.

With continued collaboration and vision, Main Street can once again capture the energy and vitality it had more than sixty years ago: a place full of promise, opportunity, and community pride.

06/18/2025

We are proud to partner with Niagara County and North Tonawanda to secure a bright future for our shared community, and find a solution to move a long distressed property closer to redevelopment!

Niagara County and North Tonawanda Broker Land Bank Agreement for Lowry Middle School to Combat Blight

Niagara County Legislator Rich Andres and North Tonawanda 2nd Ward Alderman Frank DiBernardo announced today a new access agreement between the Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC), the county’s land bank, and the property owner of the former Lowry Middle School at 621 Payne Avenue.

“The continued deterioration of the Lowry Middle School site has been a serious concern for our community,” said Legislator Andres, one of the original sponsors in creating NORLIC. “We must use every available tool at both the local and county levels to address these challenges. That’s why Alderman DiBernardo and I approached NORLIC for assistance.”

The property, located in Alderman DiBernardo’s ward, has been the source of ongoing community frustration.

“This property has become a significant nuisance. Since January 2023, there have been more than 40 police calls related to trespassing, vandalism, and even an attempted arson,” DiBernardo added. “This building sits in the heart of a residential neighborhood, and its condition remains a top priority for the city.”

A development project proposed for the site in 2022 ultimately fell through due to economic shifts and unforeseen circumstances, according to the property owner.

“After constructive conversations with both the land bank and the property owner, we are all aligned in our goal of helping return this property to a productive use for our city,” said DiBernardo. “With that said, there is a need to better secure the building, which is our immediate focus.”

The new access agreement allows NORLIC staff and its designees to legally enter the property to begin assessing conditions and initiate the first steps toward future redevelopment.

“This agreement will allow us to work with the city and the owner to explore alternative uses for the property and lay the groundwork for a path forward,” said NORLIC Executive Director Andrea Klyczek.

NORLIC Project Manager Matt Chavez further noted that the former middle school, built in 1924, is listed on both the state and federal historic registers, making it highly unlikely that the building could legally be demolished.

“Immediate priorities include assisting the property owner with securing the building to prevent further break-ins and vandalism, and positioning the property for potential marketing and eventual sale,” stated Chavez.

“As the sponsor of the legislation that created the land bank back in 2018, it’s rewarding to see it playing an active role in revitalizing distressed properties—not just here in North Tonawanda, but across Niagara and Orleans counties,” concluded Legislator Andres.

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Editor’s Note: The Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC) is a non-profit organization that partners with Niagara and Orleans counties and as well Niagara Falls, Lockport, North Tonawanda, to address blighted properties and promote neighborhood revitalization.

05/16/2025

🚨 CALLING ALL REAL ESTATE BROKERS 🚨

The Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation (NORLIC) is seeking licensed real estate professionals to help us transform neighborhoods across Niagara and Orleans Counties! 🌇🏡

We’re looking for motivated, experienced brokers ready to take on residential and commercial listings that directly support community revitalization. This is your chance to play a major role in shaping the future of our region while working with an active land bank backed by state support.

🕑 But don’t wait proposals are due by 2:00 PM this Tuesday, May 20!
There’s still time to apply but the window is closing fast.

✅ Showcase your experience
✅ Pitch your commission structure
✅ Submit your marketing plan
✅ Help us bring new life to our neighborhoods

📥 Download the full RFQ and submission instructions here:
http://niagaraorleanslandbank.com/about.html

📧 Submit proposals to: [email protected]

Let’s build a stronger, more vibrant community, together. 💪

Meeting Venue The Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation Board of Directors meets on the fourth Friday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at 9:00 a.m. Meetings will be held at the Samuel M. Ferraro Center for Economic Development, 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive, Sanborn, N.Y., 14132....

04/25/2025

Celebrating the career and leadership of an amazing public servant!

Thank you, Mike, for all you have done, and all you continue to do, for our Niagara County community!!