Videos and Correlated Curriculum Highlight Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math on Long Island Empire State Development (ESD) and the Long Island STEM Hub today announced the launch of a new video series and curriculum for children in grades K-12 titled “Full STEM Ahead Long Island,” which will highlight science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers available on Long Island. The series is intended to encourage students to start thinking about a future in STEM — furthering Governor Cuomo’s efforts to build Long Island’s innovation corridor and strengthen workforce development across the state. “On Long Island and across the Empire State, our innovation economy is surging, and we want to ensure New Yorkers are prepared to thrive in the jobs of today — and tomorrow,” Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said. “Workforce development is critical to economic development, and we are proud of this partnership, which has brought together government, private industry, non-profits and educators to provide opportunities for students to learn about STEM careers.” "Every day innovative Long Islanders are solving challenges, accelerating growth industries, advancing world-class research, and helping make the island a better place to live," said Ken White, Long Island STEM Hub Co-steward and Brookhaven National Laboratory's Manager of Educational Programs. "This video series is for local students, parents and educators—offering inspiration and paths to pursue rewarding careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in growth industries here on Long Island!" Founded in 2011, the Long Island STEM Hub is a volunteer consortium of industry, academic and not-for-profit professionals from across Long Island working to advance science, technology, engineering and math education in the region. Promoting STEM programs in grades K-12 is critical to ensuring students on Long Island have the key skills that will drive the 21st century tech economy, strengthen existing business on Long Island and draw more companies to the region. The new video campaign and matching curriculum launched today — “Full STEM Ahead Long Island” — includes 10 videos, which will be released in the coming months. The series will highlight growth industries on Long Island, including healthcare and bioengineering, and will encourage students, teachers, and parents to discuss the skills and talents needed to pursue STEM careers. The first video, “Crushin’ it with Composites,” focuses on manufacturing and has already been nominated for a New York Emmy Award. The “Full STEM Ahead Long Island” project was supported by a $320,000 grant from Empire State Development, awarded through the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council process. Since 2011, New York State has invested over $250 million in supporting Long Island’s innovation corridor, including advancing projects including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Center for Therapeutics Research, an electron microscope building at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Stony Brook University’s Institute for Discovery and Innovation in Medicine & Engineering, among many others. Just last month, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that a one-of-a-kind electron-ion collider will be built on Long Island, thanks to strategic state investments — including $165 million to support the collider project. Kevin Law, LIREDC Co-Chair and Long Island Association President, said, “Innovation is in Long Island’s DNA, and the REDC has been proud to invest in our region’s unmatched biotech corridor. But while we are creating jobs, we also must make sure we are preparing young Long Islanders to fill those jobs. This partnership will do just that — ensuring that, as our economy develops, our highly-skilled workforce also continues to grow.” Stuart Rabinowitz, LIREDC Co-Chair and President of Hofstra University, said, “Long Island has a wealth of world-class educational institutions and thanks to smart state investments, researchers across the island are making new discoveries, creating new companies, and generating jobs. It is critical that we continue to invest in education — and this new video series and curriculum will ensure the next generation of Long Islanders are interested in the STEM jobs of the future. I am proud to support this project and look forward to seeing what the next generation of Long Island’s scientists discover.” “It is important that we work to retain the talented and bright young minds that are educated in our nationally competitive school districts in Nassau County and across Long Island. I want to thank Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for funding the ‘Full STEM Ahead Long Island’ program, which will undoubtedly excite our young residents about the innovative STEM focused career paths available right here on Long Island,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.  “As a father of three young children, I strongly believe in the need to mentor, educate and encourage our children to develop interests in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math from an early age,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Thanks to Governor Cuomo, Empire State Development and the LI STEM Hub, our region is poised to open countless doors of opportunity for our children to explore the limitless bounds of the career prospects in the fields of science and technology.” 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 Governor Cuomo’s 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 and www.esd.ny.gov. About Long Island STEM Hub The Long Island STEM Hub is an organization consisting of industry, academic, and not-for-profit volunteers working to advance STEM education effectiveness on Long Island. The Long Island STEM Hub is focused on promoting student interest in STEM fields, building business and academia networks that facilitate interaction, and preparing the next-generation high-tech workforce. For more information about the Long Island STEM Hub, visit www.listemhub.org. Contact: Jack Sterne | [email protected] | (212) 803-3764 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

See images of the The Verrazzano on 3rd here The USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) Board of Directors met today and approved three items, including a $60,000 grant for the historic rehabilitation of 531 Third St., naming a preferred developer for additional properties at 500 and 512 Third St. and procurement of consultant services for a Niagara Falls Transportation Management Study. These projects will continue USAN’s work to rebuild the historic Third Street neighborhood and manage the inbound traffic and parking demand surrounding Niagara Falls State Park. “USAN continues to build on its previous investments in the Third Street Business District,” said USAN President Anthony Vilardo. “Funding towards the newly renovated “The Verrazzano on 3rd” and naming TM Montante a preferred developer for 500 and 512 Third St. will address a shortage of market rate housing and help to improve and advance retail and commercial activity downtown. It’s an exciting time for this unique downtown Niagara Falls neighborhood.” The Verrazzano, a recently renovated century-old building at 531 Third St., will receive a $60,000 grant for reimbursement for a portion of the capital improvements, facade improvements and first-floor commercial /retail space renovations. The estimated nearly $700,000 historic rehabilitation of the 17,000-square-foot mixed-use, three-story building, which is eligible for inclusion on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is a welcome addition in the promotion of the Third Street Business District. The property features 4,000 square feet of first-floor commercial/retail space with three storefronts and 10 upscale apartments on the second and third floors. Currently there is one commercial tenant (Reddy Bikeshare) and more tenants are expected soon.  Named after Italian explorer Giovanni Verrazzano, the building was previously named the Richards Apartments after Richard O. Seippel, who built the building in 1913 as the Seippel Bakery. See images of The Verrazzano on 3rd here. “We are pleased to be part of the continued efforts to redevelop and revitalize 3rd Street in Niagara Falls.  The collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial to this and we appreciate the state’s support of our significant investment in The Verrazzano,” said Majority Owner Mr. Robert Nuchereno, who is the founding principal of Arista Real Estate & Development, LLC, a boutique real estate firm in Western New York. TM Montante Development was named the preferred developer for the restoration/rehabilitation of the USAN-owned commercial properties at 500 and 512 Third St., as well as an adjacent vacant lot at 518 Third St. and an adjacent parking lot at 503 Main St.  The projects will be vibrant, mixed-use commercial developments and are critical for the continued development of the Third Street Business District. Preliminary plans envision the reuse of both existing structures. The building at 500 Third St. would contain ground floor space suitable for retail/restaurant use as well as commercial space above. The property at 512 Third St. would contain retail/restaurant space and use of adjacent outdoor areas. The two projects would be connected through a finished outdoor seating area, for use by on-site tenants or for special events. The properties were acquired by USAN as part of the strategic land acquisition program funded through the second phase of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion.  An RFP for the properties was issued in July 2019 and gave respondents the option to submit proposals on one or more of the six properties offered through the RFP. USAN and TMMD will now negotiate the principal terms and conditions of a Development Agreement. See renderings for 500 & 512 Third Street projects here.  “The redevelopment of these historic buildings will add to the growing momentum on Third Street in Niagara Falls,” said TM Montante Development President Chris Campos.  “These properties are also immediately adjacent to the new parkland that is being developed as part of the Robert Moses Parkway Removal Project.  It is our plan to bring a vibrant mix of commercial uses to these buildings, which will serve as a bridge between the new parkland and the downtown core.” Lastly, the USAN Board approved a one-year consultant contract, not to exceed $300,000, to WSP USA Inc. for a Niagara Falls Transportation Management Study. The study will develop best practices to address the unique traffic and parking needs of downtown Niagara Falls.  It will identify multi-modal strategies and tactics proven effective in other places and develop a series of projects to be implemented in both the short and long-term.  The goal is to best leverage and coordinate state and local investments in parking and infrastructure within Niagara Falls in order to best address current and future transportation and parking needs. “The growth in the tourism market necessitates a new look at how people get to and from our greatest asset.  We have heard the concerns of residents and business owners and are ready to lead the effort to improve our transportation network” Vilardo said. Through its State Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund, NYSDOT has agreed to provide USAN a $300,000 grant to fund the study. These funds will reimburse USAN for its direct consultant expenses in advancing the study.   City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, "The City of Niagara Falls welcomes the continued assistance of USAN in the reinvigoration of the Third Street Business District. The investment by Arista Real Estate and Development in "The Verrazzano" reestablishes a beautiful historic building in the District. The addition of TM Montante as the preferred developer for other properties in the District adds a proven developer to the roster of participants in the renewal of the Third Street Business District. The City of Niagara Falls is excited to see these projects move forward and look forward to future developments."   About USA Niagara Development Corporation USAN, a subsidiary of Empire State Development, is solely dedicated to the support and promotion of economic development initiatives in Niagara Falls by leveraging private investment and encouraging growth and renewal of the tourism industry in the City of Niagara Falls.  For more information, visit https://esd.ny.gov/usa-niagara-development-corporation-6 Contact: Pamm Lent | [email protected] | (716) 846-8309 | (800) 260-7313 Laura Magee | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239 | (800) 260-7313

This comprehensive annual economic development report highlights ESD’s activities, projects, investments and initiatives throughout 2019. Empire State Development: Annual Report 2019