How Downtown Glens Falls is Evolving and Why That Matters for Local Entrepreneurs

Whether you're new to Glens Falls or proudly born and raised here, you’re witnessing a city-wide transformation that prioritizes community growth, revitalization, and, most importantly, your and your business's success.

Thanks to the dedication of local leaders and community visionaries, Glens Falls has completed a major phase of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) — a comprehensive program designed to enhance all facets of the city and generate new opportunities for development and investment.

If you live, work, or enjoy an occasional visit to Glens Falls, this initiative directly impacts you.
That’s why understanding these changes matters, particularly for local business owners helping drive our community’s growth.

What is DRI, and how is it impacting Glens Falls?

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was officially launched in April 2016 by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity.

DRI's purpose is to breathe new life into Glens Falls, spark local development, encourage private investment, and create lasting opportunities for people and businesses to thrive.

The initiative has 5 goals and strategies:

1: Strengthen the vibrancy of Glens Falls’ mixed-use and walkable neighborhoods.

2: Support and expand local and regional resources that improve public health.

3: Generate opportunities for the next generation workforce. 

4: Provide infrastructure that supports existing and new residents and businesses.

5: Promote Glens Falls as a regional destination for arts, entertainment, and culture.

A decade-long period of planning, creating, and putting ideas into action has brought these goals to life, culminating in the completion of the DRI’s anchor project: the Market Center on South Street.

DRI’s progress was recently recognized by the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) as a winner of the Local Government Achievement Award for its successful resurgence of

Downtown Glens Falls. The project has become a model and inspiration for communities across New York.

So what does this mean for business owners and entrepreneurs working in Glens Falls? In short: More energy, more momentum, and greater opportunity.

What DRI Means for Local Entrepreneurs

Glens Falls has always been a beautiful place to own, grow, and operate a business. From its historic charm to its community-driven atmosphere, the city is a great place to make connections and create successful business relationships. The DRI has elevated those strengths, offering even more benefits for entrepreneurs.

• Increased Foot Traffic Means More Customers

  One of the most immediate and visible effects of a revitalized downtown is the surge in foot traffic. Fresh landscaping, restored historic buildings, new public spaces, and updated amenities attract both residents and visitors.
  
  Community events, farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and festivals have become central, bringing people downtown and encouraging them to explore local businesses.

  
  For entrepreneurs, this means increased exposure and a steady flow of potential customers. A vibrant downtown full of pedestrians creates organic marketing that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
  
  Simply by being located in a thriving downtown, your business gains visibility and opportunities to build a loyal local customer base.
  

• Modern Infrastructure to Support Business Growth

  The Downtown Revitalization Initiative brought more than just funding – it restored the kind of confidence that compels entrepreneurs and investors to plant roots and dream bigger.

  
  Fueled by $10 million in state support, Glens Falls launched a bold vision for downtown renewal. Some DRI grants were strategically deployed through public-private partnerships, including loans for business owners willing to lead the charge.

  
  The result? Over $48 million in combined investment poured into the city thanks to entrepreneurs who matched funds, renovated properties, and bet on the future of Glens Falls.
  

  Storefronts were redesigned, once dormant buildings were brought back to life, infrastructure was upgraded, and a new market center was built.

  
  These improvements didn’t just boost the aesthetics of downtown Glens Falls—they laid the groundwork for sustainable business growth. By backing locally owned businesses like WorkSmart Coworking and Meeting Space, the city is ensuring that Glens Falls remains a place where the next generation of entrepreneurs can thrive.
  

• Enhanced Branding and Built-in Marketing Momentum

  A revitalized downtown like Glens Falls is often a source of community pride, and that pride naturally creates built-in marketing opportunities for entrepreneurs.

  
  Local media outlets and municipal marketing campaigns frequently spotlight downtown improvements, new businesses, and special events, boosting exposure for downtown businesses.

  
  As people explore new shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, the growing social media buzz amplifies the excitement, giving you another opportunity to promote and build visibility for your business.

  
  When you base your business downtown, you don’t just benefit from the buzz, you become part of it. Collaborative marketing efforts and shared storytelling amplify visibility for everyone, making downtown Glens Falls more than a destination.
  

• Access to a Growing Workforce

  New mixed-use developments are drawing more people downtown to live, work, and gather, creating a vibrant, walkable environment ideal for growing businesses.
  

  As the residential footprint expands, so does the local talent pool, bringing in freelancers, remote workers, and creative professionals who thrive in lively, connected communities like Glens Falls.
  

  For business owners, that means more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and recruit from a dynamic workforce right outside their door.

How WorkSmart is Involved

In 2021, the city announced the official launch of the Glens Falls Business Downtown Revitalization Initiative Venture Enterprise Program (DRIVE), a program focused on supporting start-ups and young businesses located in Downtown Glens Falls. 

DRIVE gave locally owned startups and businesses the opportunity to compete for loans so they could invest in the Downtown Glens Falls Business District. The loans helped them launch, grow, and create job opportunities while contributing to the district’s revitalization.

At WorkSmart, we had already begun expanding into a historic downtown bank building driven by our belief in the power of place to foster connection and creativity. The DRIVE program allowed us to enhance our offreings and deepen our commitment to the Glens Falls community we love.

Ready to Be Part of the Downtown Glens Falls Revival?

There’s never been a better time to launch or grow your business in Glens Falls, and WorkSmart is here to help you do it. 

Located in the heart of the revitalized downtown, WorkSmart offers flexible workspace memberships, professional meeting spaces, and a built-in network of fellow entrepreneurs who are just as invested in this city’s growth as you are. 

One of those resources? The Grove Center for Entrepreneurship, a nonprofit venture lab based right here at WorkSmart. They provide tools and education to help small businesses and nonprofits move from idea to growth, making them an invaluable partner for anyone building something new in Glens Falls.

Whether you're a start-up, small business, or remote professional, WorkSmart gives you the space, resources, and community you need to thrive in Glens Falls’ exciting new chapter. Schedule a tour today and see how WorkSmart can help your business!