Restoring communities in Western New York is the goal of new funding coming from the state.

A total of $6 million has been awarded to the Western New York region to be split among five projects.

One is a project in Erie County for the new Evergreen Health Facility. That project was awarded $1 million for the three-story building.

The new 40,000-square foot facility on Kensington Avenue will expand existing primary, behavioral and specialty health care services and will add a pharmacy and care coordination services.

“Revitalizing and rehabilitating vacant and blighted areas of our communities brings new energy and investments that support local and regional growth,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Restore New York helps our municipalities plan for the future by catalyzing economic growth and supporting housing, businesses and cultural spaces. We are further unlocking the potential of these sites and communities across New York."

Another is in Niagara County, for the One Niagara Building. It received $1.5 million. The county plans to invest the funding in new windows for the nine-story building, and the six vacant floors of the building can then be ready for the next phase of development that will include entertainment, lodging, food and hospitality.

Restore New York provides funds to help remove and reduce blight, reinvigorate communities and generate new residential and economic opportunities statewide. The program, administered by Empire State Development, is designed to help local governments encourage new commercial investments through community revitalization, growing local housing and putting properties back on the tax rolls to increase the local tax base.