The New York State Urban Council is a statewide not-for-profit organization created to facilitate and encourage the revitalization and development of central business districts in cities, towns and villages across New York State.  With assistance from the Empire State Development Corporation, the New York State Urban Council was created in 1991 as a unique forum for downtown practitioners and economic development professionals.  Today, our membership has grown into an organization of more than 400 members, representing those who are directly involved in the revitalization of communities and downtowns throughout the state. 

Through its membership, the NYS Urban Council seeks to unite New York’s downtown practitioners and to advocate for the needs and concerns of central business districts of all sizes. Membership is open to all downtown organizations and individuals working to improve central business districts and we provide all our services at no cost.

The NYS Urban Council offers communities hands-on technical assistance, peer-to-peer counseling, and a professional network designed to provide them with the tools they need to develop successful downtown revitalization strategies. The NYS Urban Council is the only statewide organization that offers this unique hands-on approach that emphasizes downtown revitalization through job creation, business development and community investment. 

A vital component in the NYS Urban Council’s efforts is its Board of Directors, which represents some of the best economic development and revitalization talent in the state.  The Board members volunteer their time to advise the staff on the formulation of the NYS Urban Council programs and to assist staff in meeting requests for community assistance.   No other statewide organization can offer communities this link to such a broad pool of economic development and downtown revitalization expertise.