Empire State Development Blog

$40 Million Mixed-Use Development Project Upgrades Historic Former Sibley’s Department Store Building on South Salina and West Jefferson Investment Complements “CNY Rising” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the official grand opening of the City Center Building in downtown Syracuse. The historic location, originally home to Keith’s Theatre in 1920 followed by Sibley’s Department Store, has now been transformed into a $40 million, mixed-use facility that serves as a focal point for efforts to revitalize the downtown area. Upgrades to the former department store build on the current transformation underway in downtown Syracuse, made possible thanks to significant state funding including investments by the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and capital funding, tax incentives, and other benefits provided by Empire State Development. New York State, through Empire State Development, is providing a total of up to $4.1 million to support this project. "The new City Center Building marks the start of a new, exciting, and prosperous chapter in downtown Syracuse,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in vibrant community anchors like City Center, welcoming new businesses to the area, and leveraging our local partnerships, my administration is committed to revitalizing community districts in Central New York and all across our state.” The four-story facility includes 240,000 square-feet of commercial space and an attached 750-car parking garage. Among the companies operational at the new facility are project developer and construction manager The Hayner Hoyt Corporation; all-domain defense and technologies partner Huntington Ingalls Industries; green IT technology company CXtec/TERACAI; and Tompkins Community Bank. The renowned Redhouse Arts Center, a partial building owner, is also located on-site. The renovation of the City Center Building follows several major investments to revitalize Syracuse’s central commercial district, building on priorities set by Governor Hochul and the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council. Those efforts include the revitalization of the historic Hotel Syracuse, now known as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown; the expansion of The Tech Garden, which is helping forward-thinking entrepreneurs to grow their ideas; the creation of the  Salt City Market; the renovation of the former Excellus building into the Icon Tower multi-use facility; the redevelopment of the former Post-Standard building; and the establishment of JMA Wireless’s global headquarters on Cortland Avenue among other projects. Additionally, in 2021, the city of Syracuse was named as a round five, $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner. That effort serves as a cornerstone of the state's economic development policy, meant to transform downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that offer a high quality of life and attract redevelopment, businesses, jobs, and economic and housing diversity. More information about City Center is available here. Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "City Center is one of many transformational projects that are bringing new life to storied buildings in the heart of Syracuse. Through the support of DRI and other targeted investments, we are helping to create a more vibrant and connected downtown, and a brighter future for this incredible region."  Read the full press release here.

Program Has Awarded $25.3 Million to Accelerate Growth in the Life Science Industry and Combat Infectious Diseases and Other Public Health Threats Builds on $620 Million Life Science Initiative to Grow a World-Class Life Science Cluster in New York State Applications and Fund Guidelines Available Here Governor Kathy Hochul today launched the third round of applications for New York's $40 million Biodefense Commercialization Fund. The fund was established to accelerate the development and commercialization of life science innovations that address serious infectious disease health threats while creating jobs and encouraging continued growth across New York State's expanding life science industry. Since its inception in September 2021, Empire State Development has awarded $25.3 million in grants to 11 start-up companies and 13 academic institutions that are developing promising diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics and other innovations to address or mitigate infectious disease threats. “Programs like the Biodefense Commercialization Fund are putting New York State at the forefront of advancements of infectious disease discovery and development while strengthening the State’s Life Science ecosystem,” Governor Hochul said. "With this funding, we are not only attracting significant jobs and investment, but we are also making way for better health outcomes for the future.” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are strategically investing in key industries that will spark innovation and grow the state's economy. The Biodefense Commercialization Fund is already making an impact by targeting academic institutions and startups so they can discover innovative solutions for infectious diseases and help continue New York’s leadership in the life science industry.” This round is giving priority to applicants developing promising diagnostic technologies, including point-of-care diagnostics, novel sequencing and pathogen surveillance tools, and processes to improve manufacturing and access to diagnostics. These areas are important to facilitate more rapid identification of infection and its spread, which are key to effective control. Read the full press release here.

Follows Historic $100 Billion Investment from Micron to Create 50,000 Jobs in Central New York – The Largest Manufacturing Project in State History Builds on Governor’s Successful Business Attraction Efforts to Bring Leading Manufacturing Businesses and Thousands of Good-Paying Manufacturing Jobs to New York Governor Signed Landmark Green CHIPS Legislation to Boost Sustainable Semiconductor Manufacturing in New York and Create 21st Century Jobs Governor Also Issued a Proclamation Declaring October Manufacturing Month; Read Proclamation Here Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated National Manufacturing Month by unveiling New York’s nation-leading manufacturing job growth numbers, which show that New York State has added more than 13,300 new manufacturing jobs since 2021 – leading the nation in manufacturing jobs brought back from overseas. The data (available here) points to the continued resurgence of New York’s manufacturing sector, following a decades-long decline in manufacturing, and reflects the Governor’s continued support for the manufacturing sector to attract leading businesses and create good-paying jobs in New York State. It also follows several major actions from Governor Hochul to bring leading manufacturing businesses to New York. In addition, Governor Hochul signed a proclamation declaring October Manufacturing Month in New York State as part of her continued commitment to the industry. A link to the Governor’s proclamation is available here. “New York’s manufacturing sector is in the midst of a major renaissance, and we’ve got the jobs, the businesses, and the investment to prove it,” Governor Hochul said. “After decades of decline across the manufacturing industry, my administration is turning the sector around with historic actions to bring leading businesses to our state, encourage green and sustainable business practices, and prepare the workforce for the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow. Manufacturing is at the core of our state’s history and identity, and this Manufacturing Month, I am reaffirming my commitment to building up this sector to attract the best businesses and provide good-paying, middle class jobs in New York State.” Manufacturing is a major driver of the New York’s economy. Roughly 420,000 New Yorkers work in manufacturing and the sector contributed more than $83 billion to New York’s gross domestic product in 2022. The state has one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing industries in the nation with more than 10,300 jobs, $2 billion in exports, and 72 semiconductor facilities across the state. New York is also home to a vibrant agribusiness sector, ranking first in the nation for yogurt production and among the top states in the country for its number of cideries, breweries, distilleries, and wineries. With 13,379 new manufacturing jobs since 2021, New York also leads the nation in reshoring manufacturing jobs back from facilities overseas. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said,“ Manufacturing is a cornerstone of our economy, a part of our state's legacy and vital to our future. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are creating an ecosystem where manufacturing can thrive. Through incentive programs such as the nation-leading Green CHIPS or by investing in the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development, New York State is building on its proud manufacturing heritage and creating a better future for all New Yorkers.” Read the full press release here.

75,000 Square-Foot Facility Houses Cutting-Edge Engineering and Healthcare Education Programs $27 Million in State Funds Supports Future Workforce in Science and Healthcare Photo of Ribbon Cutting Available Here Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the completion of Hofstra University’s $75 million energy-efficient Science and Innovation Center in Uniondale, Long Island. The new, 75,000-square-foot Center is a shared facility for the Hofstra/Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies and the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science. With this state-of-the-art facility, Hofstra University will provide students with a dynamic STEM education that will shape the next generation of scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals. Empire State Development supported this project with a $25 million capital grant as part of the Transformative Investment Program funding allocated to Long Island and $2 million from the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. “With the launch of Hofstra's Science and Innovation Center, we're not just creating a state-of-the-art facility, we're nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers," Governor Hochul said. "My administration is committed to investing in the education and jobs of the future and ensuring that we prepare students for the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century.” Hofstra University's Science and Innovation Center is a union-built, modern facility that fosters dynamic learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The Center offers students immersive, hands-on experiences across STEM fields through features like a full medical and surgical simulation wing, clinical skills and patient care labs, and two simulated operating room spaces. The facility also houses expansive labs for computer architecture, robotics, bioengineering, virtual reality applications, and more. Students have access to advanced tools in spaces including a large makerspace, big data lab, and tissue culture facility to acquire research and innovation skills. This innovative facility will accelerate student success while also energizing workforce development in the region. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The Hofstra Science and Innovation Center marks a pivotal moment in academia, where we are not just opening doors but building bridges to a brighter future by empowering students with real-world skills. The Center will have a profound impact as graduates emerge as highly capable leaders across STEM fields, ready to meet the evolving demands of our dynamic world with their fresh perspectives. By investing in hands-on, cross-disciplinary learning, we are ensuring the innovators solving tomorrow's greatest challenges begin their journey here." Read the full press release here.