Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that over $15 million has been awarded to support 19 projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Round XIII included core capital grant and tax-credit funding from Empire State Development, which was made available on a continuous and competitive basis to support the immediate needs of communities. Funding will support impactful projects that align with each region’s strategic goals.
“With these investments in fast-growing sectors like broadband manufacturing and heat pump technology, the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative is continuing to unlock the economic potential of our state,” Governor Hochul said. “These businesses are driving innovation and creating good, stable jobs for New Yorkers, and thanks to our REDCs and significant state support, we are writing them into New York’s economic success story.”
“We are breaking down barriers to economic opportunities that have for too long held communities back,” said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils. “With this new round of funding we can invest in workforce development efforts, boost broadband accessibility, and support shovel-ready projects statewide. This is how we uplift our communities and the New Yorkers who call our state home.”
The application for ESD Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going basis until funds are exhausted. Applicants with strong, shovel-ready projects that align with the state and region’s economic development priorities can apply through the Consolidated Funding Application.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Our regions are home to abundant talent and assets that are reflected in the projects being supported by this latest round of the REDC Initiative. Whether caring for children or seniors, or helping train a new generation of culinary professionals, the REDC continues to strategically grow the New York State economy, one community at a time.”
This second round of projects was recommended by each Regional Council because of their project readiness and alignment with each region’s strategic plan. Highlights include:
- Energy Catalyst, LLC (Capital Region) – $850,000 ESD Grant, $1.135 Million Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Energy Catalyst, LLC (EC) is a growing heat pump manufacturer and technology company the produces the only ground source Energy Star-certified heat pump in North America that can reuse existing home baseboards and radiators. EC will construct a new manufacturing facility including assemble line, testing lab, training area, and office spaces in North Troy.
- PPC Broadband, Inc. (Central New York) – $1.2 Million ESD Grant, $1.2 Million Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: PPC Broadband, Inc. will expand its operations at two facilities in East Syracuse, Onondaga County. The expansion will enable PPC to design, develop, manufacture, and distribute systems that facilitate broadband expansion and deployment, specifically in fiber products.
- Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corporation (Finger Lakes) – $1.4 Million ESD Grant: Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corporation will construct a multi-tenant light manufacturing facility on a 5-acre site within the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corporation’s Technology Farm. In addition to providing badly needed manufacturing and food processing space for businesses accessing the resources of Cornell AgriTech, the new facility will provide space for those companies that have outgrown the CAFTPC’s existing incubator facility.
- Clever Devices (Long Island) – $1 Million ESD Grant: Clever Devices is a company located in Woodbury that provides intelligent transportation solutions for public transit agencies. They offer a range of products and services, such as automatic vehicle location, passenger information systems, voice annunciation, collision avoidance, fare collection, and fleet management. Clever Devices will invest in equipment and add new high wage technology jobs as it expands its transit software and equipment manufacturing operations on Long Island.
- Peekskill Facilities Development Corporation (Mid-Hudson) – $995,000 ESD Grant: The Peekskill Facilities Development Corp. (PFDC) will adaptively reuse the former City Firehouse to develop a Kitchen Incubator. Its mission will be to provide a pathway for local underserved individuals to create culinary jobs and small business opportunities, partnering with Westchester Community College, Peekskill schools, and private industry in Peekskill.
- JCTOD Outreach Inc. (Mohawk Valley) – $500,000 ESD Grant: The Johnson Park Green Community Center (JPC) is part of JCTOD’s latest project that addresses poverty, homelessness, and economic instability within the Johnson Park-Cornhill neighborhood of Utica which provides access to community skill-building classes, children’s programs, childcare, a food pantry, and space for community events. JCTOD will complete the community center by building out the 2nd floor of the Johnson Park Community Center to house the current JPC children’s program called Head, Hand, and Heart (HHH), as well as the Head Start program.
- Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation (New York City) – $325,000 ESD Grant: The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation (“Parker”) is a non-profit health care and rehabilitation center that offers a comprehensive network of community health care programs for adults. Parker will develop a Group Child Care Center that provides quality services for children under the age of six from families of healthcare professionals.
- Buffalo Business Park, Inc (Western New York) – $150,000 ESD Grant: Buffalo Business Park, Inc. will renovate a former downtown bank building in Dunkirk, near SUNY Fredonia, Lake Erie, and the improved Dunkirk Pier, into a mixed-use development containing both residential and commercial space. The City of Dunkirk is a Round VI DRI winner and this renovation will support these efforts by putting new housing units and commercial activity into the downtown.
The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. To date, more than $8 billion has been awarded to more than 9,900 job creation and community development projects through the REDC Initiative consistent with each region’s strategic plan.
About the Consolidated Funding Application
The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA here.
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State’s approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
Awards Based on Recommendations of New York’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils — Full List of Awardees Here
Sourse: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news – Midtown Tribune news –
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