Empire State Development meetings

Third Batch of Approved Awards Include 28 Shovel-Ready Projects Full List of Round XII Awardees Can Be Found Here Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $24 million has been awarded to support 28 priority projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Round XII 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. "These 28 shovel-ready projects represent incredible opportunities to foster economic growth, create jobs, and drive private investment across New York State," Governor Hochul said. "Thanks to the continued efforts and recommendations of the Regional Economic Development Councils, our REDC Initiative will continue to help communities meet pressing needs through strategic investments and robust state support." Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils, said, "Serving in this role, it has been incredible traveling across the state and seeing firsthand the positive impact these investments are having in communities across New York. Through the Regional Economic Development Councils, we will continue to boost our economy, create good jobs, and invest in our future." Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Empowering regional stakeholders to take their knowledge and understanding of local priorities and assets to best direct state investments is a proven formula for success. These shovel-ready projects will drive our economy forward and lead to growth and prosperity across the state." Read the full press release here.

Funded Innovations Put New York State at Forefront of Infectious Disease Discovery and Development While Strengthening State's Life Science Ecosystem Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the second round of awardees for the $40 Million New York State Biodefense Commercialization Fund. The program was created to accelerate the development and commercialization of life science innovations that address serious infectious disease threats, including COVID-19 and its variants, while also creating jobs and encouraging continued growth across New York's expanding life science industry. Upon approval by the Empire State Development Board of Directors, seven grants will be awarded for a total grant commitment of $8,899,998.        "New York's commitment to combating infectious disease threats is stronger than ever," Governor Hochul said. "Programs like the Biodefense Commercialization Fund and the recently announced Lab of the Future will spur innovative solutions for serious infectious diseases while building the strongest life science ecosystem in the nation." Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The Biodefense Commercialization Fund is already having an impact — facilitating the commercialization pathway for innovative research, adding jobs and investment funding, and attracting companies to the state. Additionally, startup companies that were awarded biodefense grants in the first application round are showing progress, having raised an additional $5.5 million and filed three patents in the first six months of the award." Read the full press release here.

Proven Regional Leaders Melanie Littlejohn and Tim Penix to Helm the Micron Community Engagement Committee as Co-Chairs Committee will Develop a Community Priorities Document to Guide Strategies in Areas such as Supporting Underrepresented Populations, Workforce Development, Child Care and Housing Governor Kathy Hochul and Micron Technology, Inc. today announced the members of the Micron Community Engagement Committee, representatives from Central New York and Micron that will support the company’s community investment strategy. The Committee is made up of local stakeholders to ensure meaningful, ground-up participation and discussion of Micron’s implementation and investments in the region, and will also include five ex-officio members. The formation of this group is a critical component of the Community Investment Framework agreement made between New York State and Micron in October 2022. “Micron’s historic investment in Central New York will bring transformational growth to the region and to our state, and for a project of this magnitude, it is critically important that local residents have a seat at the table,” Governor Hochul said. “The committed educators, advocates, and community leaders who make up the Micron Community Engagement Committee represent the very best of Central New York and will work to ensure that Micron’s investment – including the $500 million Community Investment Fund – meets the needs of this community. I look forward to a continued partnership with Micron, the committee, and all of our local, state, and federal partners as we work to build a global chip-making hub in New York State.” Micron’s historic planned investment of up to $100 billion over the next 20-plus years to construct a new megafab in Clay, New York, which is expected to help create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, was made possible by the Governor’s Green CHIPS program and the anticipated federal grants and tax credits from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. The Committee will work with Micron, Empire State Development (ESD), local governments and regional stakeholders to develop a Community Priorities Document – a guiding strategy for investing funding allotted in the Micron Community Investment Framework into existing and new opportunities for residents, including specific priorities for underrepresented communities. Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said, "We are delighted to be in Central New York to celebrate with Governor Hochul, the newly appointed members of the Micron Community Engagement Committee and other local partners the remarkable progress that has taken place since we announced the site of our leading-edge memory megafab here six months ago. The $500 million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund will help build and transform a workforce for the future, and the Micron Community Engagement Committee will ensure that the wide-ranging benefits and opportunities our investments will bring to Central New York are available for all.” Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President for New York Customer and Community Management at National Grid, and Tim Penix, Vice President of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, have been selected as the committee co-chairs due to their proven public service track records and expertise and will assist in the management of this fund to better the lives of Central New Yorkers. In addition to the co-chairs, the members of the Committee are: April Arnzen – Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, Micron Karen Belcher – Executive Director, Food Bank of Central New York Donna DeSiato – Superintendent, East Syracuse Minoa School District Bishop Ronald Dewberry – Senior Pastor, New Life Temple of Praise Kristi Eck – Chief of Staff, SUNY Oswego Courtney Geduldig – Corporate Vice President, Global Public and Government Affairs, Micron Mark Hall – President and CEO, Syracuse Community Health Jasenko Mondom – Employment Specialist, Refugee Assistance Program at Syracuse City School District Meg O'Connell – Executive Director, Allyn Family Foundation Hazel Powless – Haudenosaunne Environmental Task Force, Onondaga Nation Kerry Quaglia – Founder and CEO, Home HeadQuarters Sheena Solomon – Executive Director, The Gifford Foundation Ex Officio Members Rob Beard – SVP and General Counsel, Micron Kevin Younis – COO and Executive Deputy Commissioner, Empire State Development Isabelle Harris - Director of Strategic Initiatives, Onondaga County Sharon Owens – Deputy Mayor, City of Syracuse Damian Ulatowski – Supervisor, Town of Clay The Committee will focus on workforce development and diversity in the labor force; education and training in STEM fields to create opportunities for good paying jobs at Micron and supply-chain partners; expansion of safe and affordable housing; breaking down barriers to the workforce such as child care and transportation and improvements to community assets and institutions that contribute to civic identity and well-being. This will ultimately inform a document that will be used as a road map that allows for participation and/or enhancement beyond the initial objectives of this effort. The Committee’s work will also complement the newly announced Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management and Integration (GO SEMI), which will be led by ESD and supported by experts from numerous state agencies. The office will work in coordination with federal and local partners and coordinate investments in the semiconductor industry, shaping and implementing a broader, national model for maximizing industry and community returns on such public/private partnerships. Read the full press release here. 

Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region will Expand its Commercial Incubator Space for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses View Rendering Here Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the groundbreaking for the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region’s $4 million Albany Center for Economic Success (ACES) Incubator expansion project. The new facility will be built at 255 Orange Street – adjacent to its existing location – and will feature a co-working space, a room for client training and technical assistance, and a day care center. The project is being supported by an $800,000 ESD capital grant, recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council through the REDC initiative.    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "At the heart of this project is a mission to provide vital services to small business owners in communities that need it most. Empire State Development is proud to support this new incubator which will only strengthen and grow this community moving forward." Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region Executive Director Linda MacFarlane said, "As the Community Loan Fund approaches our historic 1,000th loan, it is fitting that we are breaking ground on a project that will revolutionize how we assist local entrepreneurs. Everyday issues such as lack of childcare facilities and affordable office space should not serve as a barrier to those aspiring business owners. We are confident that this project will combat those issues and allow even more Capital Region residents to access our services." The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is a nonprofit community development financial institution serving the Capital Region of New York which exists to promote sustainable community development efforts for economically underserved people and communities in the region. Since 1985, the Community Loan Fund has loaned more than $61 million – and leveraged more than $215 million – for economic development in the Capital Region. The Loan Fund has financed more than 925 community projects, including 322 minority- and women-owned businesses. The incubator expansion is part of a larger effort to revitalize Albany’s Clinton Avenue area, which includes the redevelopment of four historic rowhouses including 13 units, the former Public School Number 7 to create 13 units, and the new construction mixed-use building including 36 units and 1,400 square feet of commercial space to create a total 62 affordable homes. Clinton Avenue Apartments II is currently under construction and is supported by an allocation of $1,609,752 in Low Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "This revitalization effort not only represents new opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Capital Region but will ultimately mean a brighter future for 62 households who will benefit from an affordable home in the heart of Albany. HCR is committed to working with our partners like ESD and Home Leasing on projects that build up entire communities, and the work beginning today with the ACES Incubator will do just that for Arbor Hill. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her focus on revitalizing neighborhoods and creating new economic opportunities across New York." CREDC Co-Chairs Ruth Mahoney, Executive Vice President, President of Wealth Management and Regional President at NBT Bank, and Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, University at Albany President, said, "Small businesses are the cornerstone of our neighborhoods and the new ACES Incubator will provide much needed support and services to our most distressed communities and strengthen the City of Albany in the process. We look forward to welcoming this new addition to the Sheridan Hollow neighborhood." Senator Neil Breslin said, "This ACES incubator program will help spur entrepreneurship for minority and women owned business and diversify our regional economy here in Albany." Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our state and local economy. The Albany Center for Economic Success Incubator expansion will facilitate even more women and minority-owned businesses here in Albany and the Capital Region, while supporting aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources and services necessary to thrive. Investments like this uplift our entire community and City, and I couldn’t be more proud to see this project come to fruition thanks to the collaboration of Empire State Development, the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, Capital Region Regional Economic Development Council, and more.” Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, "When we support minority- and women-owned enterprises, Albany County’s economy benefits as a whole. This is especially true after the COVID pandemic has had disproportionate impacts on our underserved neighborhoods. The Community Loan Fund’s ACES Incubator has proven to be a tremendous resource for start-ups and small businesses around the Capital Region, and I’m thrilled to see that their footprint in the community is growing with this expansion. I want to thank Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for this strategic $800,000 investment in this project that will surely pay dividends further down the road." Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, "The ACES Incubator has become a place for minority- and women-owned businesses to grow into a sustainable enterprise, and I am excited to break ground on this $4 million expansion. Not only will entrepreneurs have additional opportunities to succeed, but this project will provide much-needed day care services and technical support to help ensure businesses thrive. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for making this significant investment in Albany's Sheridan Hollow neighborhood and supporting the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region and our local MWBEs." About Empire State Development Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. Contact: Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | (518) 414-1087 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313