Governor Hochul announces $9 million investment to uplift organizations preserving and promoting Hispanic cultural heritage across New York State

New York – In a powerful show of support for New York’s vibrant Hispanic communities, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a landmark $9 million investment aimed at strengthening institutions that preserve, celebrate, and promote Puerto Rican and broader Hispanic culture across the state. The announcement, timed with the 68th National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City, represents more than just a financial commitment—it marks a significant step toward cultural equity and the long-term sustainability of organizations rooted in Latino heritage.

With deep respect for the history, creativity, and resilience of Puerto Rican communities, Governor Hochul is delivering on her administration’s promise to ensure these cultural contributions are not only honored but meaningfully integrated into New York’s broader social and educational fabric.

“New Yorkers of Puerto Rican heritage have been an integral part of our state’s cultural fabric for generations,” Governor Hochul said. “We are honored to make bold investments that will empower organizations to expand and thrive, ensuring that the vibrant presence of Puerto Rican culture in New York State remains a cherished aspect of our state’s identity.”

The state’s fiscal year 2026 budget includes two significant allocations under this initiative: $7 million for the completion of the Hispanic Heritage Council’s Cultural Institute (HHCI) in Buffalo and $2 million for critical infrastructure improvements at the Hispanic Society Museum and Library (HSML) in New York City.

These investments don’t just fund bricks and mortar. They represent a vote of confidence in the communities that bring these spaces to life—communities that have long contributed to New York’s growth, creativity, and identity but have often lacked the resources to fully showcase their stories.

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Buffalo’s West Side, home to a growing and diverse Hispanic population, is the future site of the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute, a $30 million, 37,000-square-foot facility that promises to become a flagship center for Latino history, art, and public engagement. The state’s $7 million contribution is aimed at closing the funding gap needed to complete Phase 2 of the institute’s development.

Governor Hochul’s support for the HHCI goes back to the project’s groundbreaking in September 2023. Since then, her administration has helped drive the institute’s vision forward, including a $5 million grant from Empire State Development. These funds are crucial to ensuring the institute’s construction stays on track and the community doesn’t lose momentum on what has become a beacon of cultural hope in Western New York.

“Buffalo’s Puerto Rican and Hispanic community is vibrant, diverse, and a significant part of what makes Buffalo the city we know and love,” said State Senator Sean Ryan. “The Hispanic Heritage Council’s Cultural Institute…will be a celebration of Hispanic culture that is unprecedented in New York, and I am thrilled that Buffalo is leading the way.”

Once complete, the HHCI will house a museum, 150-seat theater, media center, café, event spaces, and interactive learning labs. More than just a cultural exhibit, the center will act as a living, breathing testament to the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the Hispanic community—not just in Buffalo but throughout Western New York and beyond.

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her unwavering support of the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute,” said Casimiro D. Rodriguez Sr., President & Founder of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York Inc. “This historic investment is not just a milestone for the Buffalo Hispanic community—it’s a gift to all of Western New York.”

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While Buffalo’s Cultural Institute takes shape, another iconic Hispanic institution—the Hispanic Society Museum and Library in Upper Manhattan—is preparing to undergo major improvements thanks to a $2 million infusion from the state.

Founded more than a century ago, HSML houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Hispanic art and literature in the world, with more than 750,000 items in its possession. Yet despite its significance, aging infrastructure and safety concerns have forced portions of the space—most notably the Lower Terrace—to close. The result has been limited public access to one of New York’s most culturally rich environments.

The new funds will stabilize critical infrastructure, address safety issues, and create an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant bridge to ensure inclusive access for all visitors. These changes are vital to HSML’s ability to reach and serve surrounding communities, many of whom come from immigrant backgrounds and rely on public cultural institutions as gateways to education and heritage.

“Today’s grant from Governor Hochul furthers our mission to promote Hispanic arts and literature, both here in New York City and across the country,” said HSML Trustee James Blanco. “We are grateful for this investment to create a space in our community where we can recognize the vital role Hispanic culture plays in our shared story.”

Governor Hochul’s announcement didn’t come out of the blue. It builds on a series of initiatives she’s launched over the past several years to deepen New York’s relationship with Puerto Rico and amplify the voices of Hispanic communities.

In 2023, she established the New York State-Puerto Rico Economic Opportunity Advisory Council to promote economic collaboration. She also partnered with federal and Puerto Rican leaders to open the New York office of the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration—an entity that helps Puerto Ricans access vital records and services in their new home state.

From economic development to cultural enrichment, the governor’s strategy has been clear: to ensure that the contributions of Puerto Ricans and other Latino populations are recognized, preserved, and passed down to future generations.

“I commend Governor Hochul on this latest investment to support arts, cultural, and educational programs that work to uplift Latino families throughout New York communities,” said Representative Adriano Espaillat. “We reaffirm our commitment to strengthening cultural institutions and programs that create opportunities to help Latino families thrive.”

Several lawmakers and community leaders joined the governor in celebrating the announcement and reflecting on its potential impact.

“I want to thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to uplifting Hispanic heritage through meaningful investments in programs and institutions that celebrate our culture and contributions,” said State Senator Robert Jackson. “By supporting the rich history and vibrant voices of the Puerto Rican, Dominican, and broader Hispanic diaspora, we’re not just honoring the past — we’re affirming their and our place in New York’s future.”

The excitement was equally palpable in Buffalo, where longtime advocates of the HHCI hailed the investment as a victory for both cultural equity and local development.

“I grew up in the heart of Buffalo’s West Side,” said State Senator April N.M. Baskin. “It warms my heart that Governor Hochul has prioritized more funding to help close the gap for this much-needed asset.”

“Since 2021, the Governor, her team, the Hispanic Heritage Council and I have worked tirelessly to bring more resources to this transformational project,” added Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera. “Throughout the process everyone involved embodied the cornerstone qualities of Hispanic culture – resiliency, faith and determination.”

The timing of the announcement added symbolic weight. Held each year on Fifth Avenue, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is the largest cultural celebration of its kind in the United States. This year’s theme, “Plantando Bandera” (“Planting Roots”), was a fitting tribute to the generations of Puerto Ricans who have built lives, raised families, and contributed immeasurably to New York’s story.

From 44th Street to 79th Street, the parade was a river of color, music, flags, and pride. Against this vibrant backdrop, the governor’s message resonated clearly: investment in culture is not just about preserving the past—it’s about planting the seeds for a stronger, more inclusive future.

“The Puerto Rican Day Parade reminds us of the deep roots and enduring contributions of the Puerto Rican community in New York,” said Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos. “I applaud Governor Hochul’s $9 million investment in preserving this powerful legacy.”

With cultural institutions like the HHCI and HSML receiving much-needed support, New York State is taking meaningful steps toward ensuring its diversity is more than just a talking point—it’s a priority backed by action.

These spaces will not only educate and inspire but also empower communities to tell their own stories. Whether through historical exhibitions, artistic performances, educational programming, or simply by providing a gathering place, the impact of this investment will be felt for decades to come.

Governor Hochul’s announcement sends a clear signal: in New York, honoring Hispanic culture isn’t seasonal or symbolic. It’s foundational.

And as the parade’s banners, music, and community pride echo down Fifth Avenue and far beyond, so too does the commitment to keep planting roots and nurturing the growth of a more inclusive and culturally rich state.