Empire State Development meetings

Round Three Winner of Luminate NY Optics, Photonics, and Imaging Competition Officially Opens New Solar Power Photonic Smart Coating Research and Development Facility at Sibley Square NYS Investment in SunDensity Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Photos of SunDensity’s New Facility Available Here. Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that SunDensity has officially opened the doors on its state-of-the-art research and development facility located at the Sibley Square Building in Downtown Rochester. SunDensity, which originated from MIT, committed to locating its operations in Rochester after being named “Company of the Year” during the third round of Luminate NY in 2020. Luminate NY is the world's largest business accelerator for startup firms that have optics, photonics and imaging (OPI) enabled technologies.  As the winner, the company received a $1 million in investment from the state through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. SunDensity is also eligible for up to $600,000 through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax-Credit program in exchange for the creation of up to 56 new jobs.  To date, the company has 15 employees working on-site. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight, said, "SunDensity’s decision to locate its operations in Rochester proves the success of the state-supported Luminate NY competition: our focused, strategic investments in these emerging companies are working to cement New York as a worldwide leader in optics, photonics, and imaging, and I look forward to the company’s further contribution to the growth of the OPI industry in the Finger Lakes region.” SunDensity’s Photonic Smart Coatings for utility, commercial and residential solar panels can considerably improve solar power output and provide more accessible green energy solutions at a lower overall cost.  Its nano-optical coating also reduces costs and improves the performance of Low Emissivity (‘Low E’) window glass to efficiently control unfavorable effects such as ‘heat gain’ in homes and buildings that demand increased energy for environmental control. The number of solar power plants in the United States is growing at a rate of 30% per year, but much of the available solar spectrum is wasted by solar cells. SunDensity’s Photonic Smart Coating improves the efficiency of opto-electronic devices such as solar cells by shaping the spectrum of photons, transforming available energy into more usable light, targeting the ideal sensitivity for many different types of devices. “This is a big step forward for us,” said Dr. Nish Sonwalkar, Founder, President and CTO of SunDensity. “Developing our technology here signifies our commitment to providing solar solutions in the U.S., to be competitive with Chinese products that currently dominate the market.”  Luminate NY Managing Director Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, said, “By opening their facility in the same place where they incubated—in the heart of Rochester’s Innovation Zone—SunDensity is helping to revitalize our city and to expand economic development opportunities within our rich OPI and entrepreneur ecosystems.”  The Luminate NY accelerator, administered by NextCorps, is based in Rochester and selects 10 to 12 promising companies each year to participate in its hybrid, six-month program. During this time, companies are provided with more than 200 hours of instruction, along with the resources to advance their technologies and businesses. Applications are now being accepted for Round 7 through January 8, 2024. Teams will receive $100,000 in funding upon program start in April 2024, with the expectation that $50,000 will be used to engage resources in the Finger Lakes region. Teams are expected to come to Rochester for select weeks and to also participate virtually during their time in the accelerator. All told, since its inception, Luminate NY has invested $18 million in 63 startups. The companies in the portfolio now share a net worth of more than $650 million. In addition to providing an estimated 1.5 to 2 times return on investment, many of the companies are establishing U.S. operations or some aspect of research and manufacturing in the Rochester region, which has resulted in 164 jobs. The Finger Lakes Region is home to an incredibly rich ecosystem of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business. Rochester offers the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics' Test, Assembly, and Packaging facility at Eastman Business Park, the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and more than 150 local OPI companies which employ over 17,000 employees. State Senator Jeremy Cooney, said, “I am proud to see SunDensity completing their journey from incubation to grand opening right here in the heart of Downtown Rochester. They are helping us to write the next chapter in our region’s rich history of innovation, while creating jobs for our community. I am grateful to them for not just choosing Rochester, but for continuing to invest and expand here.” State Assemblymember Harry Bronson, said, "SunDensity’s decision to move to Rochester demonstrates that we have the skilled workforce they require to scale their operations. It also reinforces why the Luminate NY competition is key to attracting diverse, cutting-edge industries to our area, which will go far to further our goal of improving equity in our economic and workforce development initiatives. Thank you SunDenisity for choosing Rochester!” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, said, “SunDensity’s expansion is a shining example of Monroe County’s position as a clean energy technology hub and our commitment to investing in economic development. Monroe County congratulates SunDensity on this impressive new facility and is grateful for Governor Hochul, Empire State Development and Luminate NY’s support to help innovative companies like SunDensity grow in our community.” City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, said, “The grand opening of SunDensity in Rochester’s Center City clearly demonstrates the benefit of Empire State Development’s decision to establish the Luminate NY high-tech business incubator in our Downtown Innovation Zone and position our region as the optics, photonics and imaging capital of the world. I want to thank Dr. Sonwalker and his team for making this investment in our city and wish them and their employees well as they grow and thrive here. I remain grateful to Governor Hochul and the work of Empire State Development through Finger Lakes Forward for supporting our efforts to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone.” For additional information about SunDensity, visit: https://www.sundensity.net/. For additional information about Luminate NY, visit: luminate.org. Contact: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313  

Kesner Will Lead Governor's Plans To Improve Access to Buffalo’s Waterfront, Including Transformational Redevelopment of North Aud Block Leslie Zemsky and Sam Capitano Also Appointed to Serve on ECHDC Board Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Joan Kesner, formerly the Governor’s regional director for Western New York, will serve as chairperson for the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Board of Directors. The Governor appointed Kesner to the board and also recommended her as the next Chairperson of the ECHDC Board, which the board approved today. Leslie Zemsky, vice president and partner in Larkin Development Group, and Sam Capitano, business manager at Laborers International Union of North America, Upstate New York Laborers District Council, were also appointed to serve on the ECHDC Board. ECHDC is the state agency that supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside and the Outer Harbor in Buffalo and works to attract private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and visitors in Western New York. “Joan Kesner is a dedicated and talented leader who will focus the state’s efforts to revitalize our economy, starting at the waterfront,” Governor Hochul said. “As we ramp up efforts to encourage visitors, developers and investors to the water’s edge, Joan’s collaborative spirit and hard work will ensure continued progress on the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation’s initiatives. I also welcome Leslie Zemsky and Sam Capitano to the board and am confident their expertise will be an asset to Buffalo’s waterfront moving forward.” Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chair Joan Kesner said, “I couldn’t be prouder and more excited to continue the development projects that will bring more people to Buffalo’s waterfront. The waterfront and its development are a major priority of Governor Hochul’s and I look forward to working with her to transform this destination and continue the excitement, especially leading up to the bicentennial of the Erie Canal’s completion in 2025. I am excited to work with the talented and creative board and staff of ECHDC. We will work together to make our waterfront one we all can enjoy and be proud of. I thank Governor Hochul for this incredible opportunity and her strong commitment to Western New York.” Read the full press release here.

5,000 Square Foot Cleanroom Will Provide Vital Hands-On Opportunity to Train Thousands of Future Students for Jobs at Micron Builds on Governor’s Progress Toward Preparing the Region for Micron Following Historic $100 Billion Investment in Central New York View Renderings Here  Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled plans for the $15 million, 5,000 square-foot Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab at Onondaga Community College. The facility, which will be held to ISO Class 5 and 6 cleanroom standards and located at OCC’s Whitney Applied Technology Center, will be a vital tool to help to train students in Central New York for jobs at Micron. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025. The unveiling builds on the Governor’s progress toward preparing Central New York for Micron, which announced last year a historic $100 billion investment to build a megafab campus in Clay, Onondaga County and create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next 20-plus years. Renderings of the cleanroom simulation lab are available here.  “One year after Micron’s historic $100 billion investment in Central New York, these plans for a state-of-the-art simulation lab at Onondaga Community College are proof of our commitment to ensuring that the region is prepared,” Governor Hochul said. “From the launch of GO-SEMI to streamline the Micron project to securing investments in workforce, education, and child care, my administration is laying the groundwork for Micron’s highly anticipated arrival and ensuring that this project is one that moves Central New York – and all of New York State – forward.” Read the full press release here.

The meeting is open to the public. The public may also view and listen to the meeting via webcast by clicking the link below. Please Note: Due to building procedures, members of the public attending in-person should please RSVP by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Members of the press should please call (800) 260-7313; Members of the public should please call (212) 803-3772. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda items in writing to [email protected] by Noon on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will posted online.