Empire State Development meetings

Community-Identified REDI Projects Selected after Expert Evaluation and Review    Total $300 Million Appropriated for Shoreline Communities Includes $15 Million for Regional Dredging, $30 Million for Private Businesses, and $20 Million for Homeowner Assistance Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the state is providing $49 million to advance 20 projects in Niagara and Orleans counties as part of the first round of funding under the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. Governor Cuomo launched REDI in May to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Today's announcement marks a major milestone in the REDI effort. Identified by the communities and evaluated by state agency experts, the projects address both immediate and long-term resiliency needs, enhance economic development, protect critical infrastructure, incorporate green, natural, or nature-based features, and will help sustainably rebuild and enhance communities along the Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River shorelines. "The recent challenge of historic high water levels along the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River shorelines calls for a swift and innovative response, and today I am announcing REDI projects in Niagara and Orleans counties that will create long-term sustainability for communities and businesses," Governor Cuomo said. "I directed 11 state agencies to mobilize their expertise and assess a portfolio of community-driven actions that will sustainably protect and enhance the region's infrastructure, habitats, and local economies. Working together, our Empire State experts and stakeholders came up with 20 projects in these counties that will help the region regain resiliency and economic vibrancy."  "Communities along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have faced tremendous challenges in recent years. That's why we have taken aggressive action to help local governments, businesses, and homeowners with state support to improve resiliency and address the impact of flooding," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This targeted funding for projects in Niagara and Orleans counties will address infrastructure needs to ensure sustainability long-term. These critical efforts will help to combat devastation from extreme weather events, strengthen our economy, and enhance quality of life for residents." Read the full press release here. 

State to Collaborate with North Country Regional Economic Development Council to Revitalize Potsdam's Downtown Part of Governor's Comprehensive Approach to Transform Communities into Vibrant Neighborhoods and Boost Local Economies Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Village of Potsdam will receive $10 million in funding as the North Country winner of the fourth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. As in the first three rounds of the DRI, one municipality from each of the state's 10 regional economic development regions is selected as a $10 million winner, marking another overall state goal to target $100 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise a family. "With the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, we see the positive impacts that strategic investments can have on strengthening local economies across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "The Village of Potsdam serves as a major educational and commercial center for the North Country, and this funding will further help rejuvenate a key part of that center." "Our Downtown Revitalization Initiative is about more than just a physical change - it's about creating a psychological shift in communities across New York," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "With this targeted investment, Potsdam will be able to invest in projects to strengthen local assets and advance regional priorities. The DRI is part of our ongoing commitment to create a brighter economic future and enhance quality of life in the North Country and every region statewide." Read the full press release here. 

New York State Funding Will Go Toward Signature Pedestrian Bridge and Lagoon Feature Wilson Foundation Announces an Additional $5M and City of Buffalo Pledges $3M For Pedestrian Bridge Renderings of the New Hudson Street Bridge Available Here Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $10 million for two signature features of what will be the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park in Buffalo. New York State will help fund a pedestrian bridge to replace the current Hudson Street Bridge, which will create access to the lake's edge in the park, as well as a new lagoon that boosts tourism and resiliency efforts. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park will be located at the current site of LaSalle Park, the City of Buffalo's largest waterfront park.  For years, the City of Buffalo and the community have envisioned something greater for LaSalle Park. With the support of New York State and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr, Foundation, which previously committed $50 million toward the park, the park's potential will come to fruition. "The progress in Buffalo and in Western New York is undeniable. That success should be shared with everyone, and that's what the reimagining of LaSalle Park is all about," Governor Cuomo said. "Our vision from day one has been about democratizing Buffalo's waterfront, and by investing in this new bridge and in this new lagoon, we can help ensure communities that for too long have been blocked from the waterfront get to experience it and all the benefits of the region's renaissance."  "Today we mark another milestone in the ongoing transformation of Buffalo's waterfront," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "As an active user of LaSalle Park, I know how important this community asset is, and I look forward to the future Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park. With this significant funding commitment and our partners at the Wilson Foundation and the City of Buffalo, we are further enhancing an amazing project that will help to connect people to the water." Read the full press release here. 

High-Tech Optical and Security Technology Company Will Grow its Operations in the Town of Henrietta Creating and Retaining almost 70 Jobs Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today announced high-tech communications network services provider and high performance thin-film optical coatings manufacturer VIAVI Solutions, which acquired locally based RPC Photonics in 2018, is growing its operations in the Town of Henrietta, Monroe County. The company will construct a new, 30,000 square-foot plant at its John Street location and will create up to 23 new jobs;44 jobs will be retained. The expansion is expected to be completed in February of 2020. Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, "The Finger Lakes region is home to talent-rich tech companies like VIAVI Solutions that continue to expand and create good-paying jobs here, reflecting New York State’s strategic investment in business expansion and regional growth.” The new facility will replace the current 17,000 square-foot plant, providing the needed infrastructure necessary for enhanced product development and manufacturing. The additional space will include the construction of a state-of-the-art, ISO, class 5 cleanroom at the Henrietta location. VIAVI Senior Vice President & General Manager for the Optical Security and Performance Products Business Luke Scrivanich said, “RPC Photonics was acquired by VIAVI in order to expand our offerings in the 3D sensing space and to leverage its resources in adjacent sectors. We look forward to expanding and modernizing our capabilities in Monroe County. This area is renowned for its talent in optics technology and we expect to continue to recruit and hire from the local colleges and universities.” VIAVI focuses its operations on the optical security and performance products business in high performance custom optics, by providing light management solutions for the consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, government and anti-counterfeiting markets.  ESD is assisting the successful company with its consolidation in Monroe County by providing up to $400,000 through the Excelsior Jobs Program in exchange for job creation commitments. Greater Rochester Enterprise was also instrumental in ensuring Viavi Solutions would expand and grow in New York State instead of moving its local manufacturing operations to the company’s facilities in Asia. State Senator Patrick Gallivan said, “The expansion of VIAVI Solutions is testament to the continued success of this high-tech industry and the quality of the local workforce. In addition to retaining dozens of existing jobs, the creation of nearly two dozen additional positions will provide new opportunities for students studying at local colleges and universities. The investment also sends a positive message about the continued economic growth of Henrietta, Monroe County and the entire Finger Lakes Region.” State Assembly Member Harry Bronson said, “I applaud Luke Scrivanich and the team from VIAVI Solutions for their ongoing commitment to our region. Today’s announcement by the company and Empire State Development Acting Commissioner Eric Gertler shows that the Rochester area has a strong, diverse, and skilled workforce and is in an economic position to create jobs for the future. I look forward to VIAVI Solution’s growth and the addition of new jobs at their expanded Henrietta campus.” Henrietta Town Supervisor Steve Schultz said, “Being located near two nationally ranked research universities each with an emphasis on different portions of the Photonics industry, Monroe County, and especially Henrietta, is a prime location for a photonics company to expand operations. We are very glad that VIAVi recognizes the strength of our area and is willing to invest in the acquisition of RPC Photonics and the expansion of their facilities which will include the creation of an additional 23 jobs in the industry. Thank you to RPC Photonics, VIAVI, and Empire State Development for working together to make this exciting opportunity a reality.” Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "From our historic strength in manufacturing and optics, to the talent harnessed by our world-class colleges and universities, Monroe County is the perfect place for VIAVI Solutions to grow. Monroe County is proud to be home to VIAVI as they create more jobs in our community and we offer our unique one-of-a-kind workforce development programs to support their continued success in the future." Greater Rochester Enterprise President & CEO Matt Hurlbutt said,” By acquiring locally based RPC Photonics, VIAVI has tapped into the robust optics, photonics, and imaging ecosystem and technical expertise available in the Greater Rochester, NY region. VIAVI leaders plan to expand their manufacturing capacity here in Henrietta, NY, to meet expected sales growth in the 3D imaging and sensing market. For additional information about VIAVI, click here. Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward  Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in. Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here. ​ Contact: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313