Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $45 million has been awarded to improve seven locations under the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York grant program. First announced in February 2022, FAST NY is designed to prepare and develop sites across the state to jumpstart New York’s shovel-readiness and increase its attractiveness to large employers and high-tech manufacturing companies. The program, administered by Empire State Development, will help diversify New York State’s economy while propelling new investments for businesses, communities, and job creation. Since its inception, FAST NY has awarded more than $175 million to 20 sites in every region Upstate. Additionally, Governor Hochul has proposed an additional $100 million in the FY2025 Executive Budget to expand the FAST NY program and build on its success in preparing sites across the state for shovel readiness.
“From the Hudson Valley to the Southern Tier, these FAST NY investments are helping to unlock economic opportunity all across our state,” Governor Hochul said. “Businesses of the future are flocking to New York because of our top-notch workforce, our thoughtful incentives, and our turnkey, shovel-ready sites, and I am committed to working with the Legislature to bring in even more 21st century employers and grow the jobs of tomorrow in our state.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York State is focused on being the first place companies think of when looking for the best place to locate their business. FAST NY gives municipalities and IDAs the right tools to develop sites around specific industries such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, renewable energy, life science and agribusiness.”
Investments in shovel-readiness have attracted major employers to New York State, including the Coca-Cola Company, which is building a $650 million fairlife production facility at 1900 Tebor Road in Webster, Monroe County – a FAST NY Round One awardee. Round Three awards continue to develop sites for semiconductor industry attraction as well as complement the U.S. National Science Foundation’s designation of the New Energy New York (NENY) Storage Engine, anchored by Binghamton University, as a Regional Innovation Engine (NSF Engine). Together, these investments have established the Southern Tier Region as national hub for the growing energy storage industry.
Oneida County – $23.6 million: The Triangle Site, located at Griffiss International Airport in the city of Rome and adjacent to Wolfspeed and Micron, is positioned to be New York’s premier semiconductor supply chain campus, offering up to 50 MW of power. This project will deliver electrical upgrades, extension of municipal water and sanitary sewer and natural gas, transportation and access upgrades and the completion of general site work. The Triangle site is conveniently located in the center of New York State, making it accessible to a large potential workforce. The project will unlock up to 2.6 million square feet of new construction and potential for 3,000 new jobs on this 332-acre site. The campus is in a moderately distressed community and provides accessible workforce amenities, housing, recreation and public transportation.
Broome County IDA, Broome County – $11.3 million: This project is located at the former BAE site on Main St in Johnson City and will provide for the installation of an elevated development pad to prevent flooding and also develop a stub road with needed water, sewer and electric infrastructure as well as stormwater improvements to activate the site for future use. This property is adjacent to a former coal plant which puts this site within a federally designated Energy Community which offers clean-tech manufacturers the potential to receive significant allocations of federal funds reserved for use in these census tracts. It is anticipated that returning the 27-acre site to active use will result in a significant increase in tax revenues and new jobs.
Chemung County IDA, Chemung County – $4,000,000: This project, located on North Main St in Horseheads, will allow for upgrades including improvements to the existing rail, water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure to support planned growth and development at the site. The site improvements will enable the construction of an anticipated 765,000 square feet of modern manufacturing, warehousing and logistics facilities. This intermodal site has access to significant water and wastewater resources, is centrally located within two hours of three major cities and has received Foreign Trade Zone designation. Target markets for this site include battery and solar manufacturing and logistics warehousing. This shovel ready site will offer another opportunity for the battery supply chain to grow around the emerging Tech Hub in the Southern Tier.
Niagara County – $3,258,450: This project, located at Niagara County Business Park on Junction Rd. in Cambria, will allow for site preparations and infrastructure improvements including electric, gas, water and sewer extensions. The project includes extending a 13.2kV electric line to this 60-acre campus, as well as launching planning and engineering for tapping into a nearby 115kV power line. The site is in close proximity to significant power lines, access to low-cost NYPA hydropower and access to substantial capacity of water and sewer. The infrastructure upgrade supported by FAST NY will position this site as an ideal location for advanced manufacturing. The site features proximity to highways and access to major US and Canadian markets.
Clinton County – $3,000,000: The Clinton County airport property in Plattsburgh contains over 450 acres of developable land. Portions of the site have already been redeveloped for three industrial sites, and this project will allow for infrastructure improvements including water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, electric, as well as the construction of a roadway to allow for the development of an additional 135 acres of land. Located only three minutes from I-87 and adjacent to the existing Air Industrial Park, which is at full capacity, this site will accommodate up to 1.7 million square feet for use in manufacturing, light industrial processing, warehousing, and distribution.
Orange County IDA, Orange County – $462,500: This project, located at the Aden Brook Commerce Park in Montgomery, will help with the advancement of the SEQRA process and help to cover costs related to engineering and site design. This will result in a shovel ready park that serves as a bridge between New York City and Albany. The developed site will target the advanced manufacturing industry sector, with a particular focus on life science, the semi-conductor supply chain, clean-tech, and value-added assembly. This site is approximately four miles from I-84, in an industrial corridor, and adjacent to the Orange County Airport.
Fulton County Center for Regional Growth, Fulton County – $65,300: This project on State Route 20A in Johnstown, will facilitate a planning study to determine costs for the development of infrastructure at the site including roads, utilities, site analysis, and environmental investigation. This site is located directly across from the Johnstown Industrial Park, which is currently full. Attractive assets such as close proximity to the New York State Interstate System, high-power capacity on site and inter-municipal water supply, make this a prime location for advanced manufacturing. The project intends to produce five major industrial development sites, resulting in the creation of approximately 200 jobs.
FAST NY funding through ESD awards grants for pre-development activities and infrastructure investments to develop sites that will attract many eligible industries —including high-tech manufacturing, semiconductors, clean-tech renewable energy, life sciences, agribusiness, optics, transportation equipment, materials processing, industrial machinery manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing. These sites can also be used for interstate distribution and logistics. Through FAST NY, ESD can award a “FAST NY Shovel-Ready Certification” for sites that meet high standards of shovel readiness, to support and enhance their marketing efforts to attract more industries. For more information, or to apply for a FAST NY grant, visit esd.ny.gov/fast-ny.
New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan M Silva said, “The Fast NY program is critical to the success of New York’s economy and our ability to attract private sector investment. Investments in infrastructure create good paying construction jobs that helps facilitate public private partnerships. Today’s announcements once again validate the vital role industrial development agencies (IDAs) play in New York’s Economy, pairing local expertise and resources with state funding to support and build sustainable communities. We thank Governor Hochul and the team at ESD for their leadership and partnership with the FAST NY Program and the awardees for investing in New York’s future.”
State Senator Sean Ryan said, “When we think about the best ways to promote economic development, we want to prioritize strategies focused on the creation of a large number of family-sustaining jobs. Attracting high-tech manufacturing companies to New York brings thousands of stable, well-paying jobs to our state. Readying sites for these businesses of the future is a smart investment.”
Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “As Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce, and Industry, I’m grateful that Governor Hochul has awarded $45 million across New York State through the FAST NY Program administered by Empire State Development. This significant investment in New York’s economic future ensures that we’re not just preparing sites to be shovel-ready; we’re cultivating opportunities, increasing site attractiveness to large employers, and propelling job creation to expand key growth industries.”
SOURCE: NY.gov – Midtown Tribune News
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