Photos by Oscar Rivas
Home Town Kickstart Presented by PEOPLE, which showcases Cornwall’s transformation by TV renovation superstars, aired on May 8, 2022.
Could your Hudson Valley town use a facelift? Because that’s exactly what happened for one community in the region.
Out of thousands of submissions, the Home & Garden Television (otherwise known as HGTV) network chose six classic American small towns on which to focus its efforts. A star-studded cast of HGTV experts lead initiatives of community renewal in each small town.
However, only one hails from the Hudson Valley. Producers turned their eyes to Orange County, on a particular town full of nature and history. This breathtaking hub for adventure is home to the world-famous Storm King Art Center, among other attractions.
Can you guess where HGTV filmed?
It’s Cornwall!
Home Town Kickstart, which aired on May 8, features three revitalization projects in Cornwall. Cozy cafes and historic sites contribute to its one-of-a-kind charm.
HGTV produces a vast array of series centered on interior design, landscaping, and renovations. Any young homebuyer will relate to binge-watching couples finding their dream house. However, few will ever get the chance to experience the network’s signature transformations firsthand.
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Ben and Erin Napier, stars of Home Town and Home Town Takeover, have a new series in the works. This franchise began with the mission to restore historic homes, and has expanded to revitalize entire communities. The couple’s first show stayed in Laurel, Mississippi, while their out-of-town adventures tackled Wetumpka, Alabama. Now, they travel north to bring their talents to the Hudson Valley.
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“Erin and I have renovated more than 80 homes in Laurel for Home Town, and we’ve seen how these improvements change a community for the better,” said Ben Napier in a press release. “Now, with help from HGTV, we’re going to continue what we started and help more small towns across the country.”
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Home Town Kickstart follows the Napiers’ success of a “whole town reno” in Home Town Takeover, upping the stakes even higher. As a partnership with PEOPLE magazine, HGTV heads to six classic small towns across the nation to spearhead revitalization efforts.
Stars from HGTV’s gallery of shows lead three projects in each community selected. First, they will renovate and restore the home of a local hero. Then, they will give a notable small business a complete makeover. Lastly, the crew will upgrade a public space that means something to the people who live in town. Through these initiatives, Home Town Kickstart seeks to enhance the quality of life of local denizens and reinvigorate local pride.
HGTV regulars attached include Ty Pennington from Rock the Block, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent from The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project, Alison Victoria of Windy City Rehab, and Jasmine Roth, host of Help! I Wrecked My House.
These home experts each lead the revitalization of a different town. They’ll work on improving Buffalo, Wyoming; Winslow, Arizona; LaGrange, Kentucky; Thomaston, Georgia; and Minden, Louisiana, in addition to Cornwall. PEOPLE’s involvement means a focus on telling local stories. Every town’s most intriguing individuals will get the spotlight, the luckiest of which wins a complete home transformation.
“We see the positive impact of this small-town renaissance every day in Laurel,” said Erin Napier in a press release. “Ben and I can’t wait to share all we’ve learned with our fellow HGTV experts so they can help these communities achieve their goals.”