State releases DRI funding for Utica revitalization projects Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul stopped by Utica Tuesday to announced the release of state funding for 16 revitalization projects in the city. Posted: May 18, 2021 1:03 PM Posted By: WKTV UTICA, N.Y. – Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul stopped by Utica Tuesday to announced the release of state funding for 16 revitalization projects in the city. A total of $10 million was awarded as part of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). The city was chosen to receive the DRI funding in 2019, but due to the pandemic, the release of the funds was delayed. “This community, Utica, was one of the recipients in the last round, believe it or not, it was 2019 when we announced this, and it’s been a long, long wait for this community,” said Hochul. “I know that, I know it’s been painful, all of you waiting to hear about your projects, whether or not they’re going to funded or not, and to which level – but I’ll tell you, it’s going to be worth waiting for.”