Empire State Development Blog

In accordance with recently passed Legislation, this meeting will be conducted by teleconference. The public may listen to the meeting via webcast by clicking the link below. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda items in writing to [email protected] by 5:30 pm on Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Dr. Marsha Gordon, President & CEO of The Business Council of Westchester and Dr. Kristine Young, President of SUNY Orange Succeed SUNY New Paltz President Dr. Donald P. Christian The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) today announced that Dr. Marsha Gordon, President & CEO of The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) and Dr. Kristine Young, President of SUNY Orange have been appointed as Co-Chairs of the Council, effective immediately. Dr. Gordon and Dr. Young succeed Dr. Donald P. Christian, President of SUNY New Paltz who has served on the Council since 2016 and as Co-Chair since 2018 and will be retiring this year. The MHREDC works together to grow the economy in the Mid-Hudson region which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. “The Regional Economic Development Councils positioned throughout the state have played an invaluable role in convening local stakeholders who have the knowledge and expertise to effectively spur economic development in their communities. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, these local champions have moved our state forward through their leadership,” said Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. “In particular, the Mid-Hudson REDC has worked tirelessly to transform the region with increased tourism opportunities, new and expanded businesses, and good paying jobs for New Yorkers. As chair of the Regional Councils, I congratulate both Dr. Marsha Gordon and Dr. Kristine Young on their new leadership roles and thank Dr. Christian for his stewardship of the council over the years.” Former MHREDC Co-Chair and SUNY New Paltz President Donald Christian said, "Having worked closely with Drs. Gordon and Young on the MHREDC, I am thrilled that they are stepping into these leadership roles. I know that these two innovative leaders will bring new ideas to the table and continue to grow the success of the Council in advancing the economy and quality of life in the region. I am grateful for my time on the Council and have been rewarded that this work aligns so well with the College’s role and values as a top-tier public university and major economic engine in the Hudson Valley." MHREDC Co-Chair and President & CEO of The Business Council of Westchester, Marsha Gordon said, “I am extremely honored to serve as a co-chair for the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. As a long-standing member of the business community, I have seen this model of a bottom-up, regional strategy to economic development transform our region and I look forward to serving with Kristine Young and the rest of the council to continue its many successes.  I want to thank Dr. Christian for his leadership and dedication to the council and I wish him health and happiness in his retirement. MHREDC Co-Chair and SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young said, “The seven counties in the MHREDC comprise one of the most vibrant and attractive areas of New York State. I look forward to partnering with Marsha, as well as other MHREDC team members, to showcase the region’s strengths and advance its growth well into the future. As a fellow educator, I have appreciated Dr. Christian’s exemplary leadership within the higher education sector, as well as his stewardship of the MHREDC and his dedication to growing the region’s economy for the benefit of us all.” Dr. Marsha Gordon brings more than 25 years of community, commerce and leadership experience to her role. Under her leadership, the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) has tripled its membership, developed programs to meet the needs of the County’s diverse business community and become a lead advocate for business and economic development in the region and New York State. Dr. Gordon has been President and CEO of the BCW since 2001 and was also President of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Dr. Gordon served as President of Build the Bridge Now, which helped to fast track the building of a new Tappan Zee Bridge. Dr. Gordon has served on several boards including on the executive committee of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Council, the Business Council of New York State and the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board. Dr. Gordon holds a BA from Brooklyn College, an MBA from Marist College, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Pace University. SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young is a visionary leader who is focused on delivering a meaningful “SUNY Orange Experience” for students while simultaneously tackling implementation of the College’s new Strategic Plan 2020-2025, the roadmap by which SUNY Orange will reach its 75th anniversary in 2025. The plan is designed for the College to empower student success, strengthen the region’s economic future, and sustain and invigorate its own institutional future. Previously, Dr. Young spent 17 years at Parkland College in Champaign, Ill. Dr. Young earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., in 1996 and her master’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998. Her doctorate degree is from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges, where she shapes the organization’s advocacy for more than 1,200 community colleges nationwide. She served a one-year term on the AACC Executive Committee and was the chair of the AACC Commission on Public Relations Advocacy and Advancement in 2020-21. For 2021-22, she chairs the AACC Commission on Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation. Young is in her fourth year of service on the MHREDC as chair or sitting on several MHREDC committees. She also holds membership on the boards of several local organizations. The REDC process has transformed New York State government's approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Established in 2011 as a centerpiece of the State’s strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils replaced the state's old top-down approach with one that is community-based and performance-driven. Through 10 rounds of the REDC competition, the MHREDC has delivered over $815 million for 1,020 projects. About the Regional Economic Development Councils The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a key component of New York State's transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, the 10 Regional Councils developed long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Since the establishment of the REDCs in 2011 until the most recent round in 2021, which is still in-progress, over $7.5 billion dollars was awarded to more than 9,100 economic and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov. Contact: Kristin Devoe (ESD): [email protected] | (518) 414-1087 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Systems Engineer Manufacturer Repurposed 43,000 Square-Foot Facility in the Town of Henrietta Creating Almost 60 New Jobs Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that systems engineer manufacturer Precision Optical Transceivers (Precision OT) is growing its Monroe County operations, repurposing 43,000 square-feet of existing space at 2245 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road in the Town of Henrietta. Having outgrown its previous location, the project will see the expansion of the company’s optical transceiver operations to include new engineering, production and office space. As a result of the project, the communications equipment manufacturer has committed to creating up to 59 new jobs;62 jobs will be retained. The company, which is focused on optical transport technologies, is already operational in the new location. "Precision OT’s further expansion in the Finger Lakes only adds to the region’s momentum as a destination for high-tech business and innovation,” said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight. “Most importantly, this expansion will continue to accelerate job growth throughout the region, which remains laser-focused on the industries of tomorrow.” Founded in 2008, Precision OT works with a wide variety of industries, including health care, education, enterprise, government entities, and service providers.  Precision has invested heavily into Silicon and Integrated Photonics, resulting in significant growth in both its technical and manufacturing operations leading to the need for the planned expansion. Precision OT also recently announced that its Advanced Engineering Group acquired nine patents in the areas of optical networking, integrated photonics and photonic radio systems, “The expansion into this state-of-the-art facility marks a continuation of Precision OT’s rapid growth and is a pivotal milestone in taking our production and creation of optical solutions to the next level,” says David Halladay, President and CEO of Precision OT. “Our new location will not only strengthen our new product development and solutions but help build the networks of tomorrow.” ESD is assisting the Precision Optical Transceivers with the project by providing up $750,000 through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative’s (URI) Photonics Attraction Fund. The company has additionally committed to continuing its relationship as a member of AIM Photonics, enabling them to take advantage of the consortiums’ available resources. Monroe County and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting with the move. The Photonics Attraction Fund is available for companies who are using integrated photonics technologies and are committed to establishing or expanding their manufacturing operations in the the Finger Lakes region. They must additionally demonstrate the adequacy of its resources, experience, and past performance. The region’s award winning $500 Million URI plan is laser-focused on growing the areas renowned reputation as a leader in the optics, photonics and imaging industries. State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, "I congratulate Precision Optical Transceivers on their expansion.  The company’s commitment to Henrietta and Monroe County will create new jobs and send a powerful message about the quality and diversity of our local workforce and the innovative spirit of the community. New York’s investment will also help attract other high-tech industries to the Finger Lakes Region in the future." State Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “I applaud David Halladay, and the team at Precision Optical Transceivers for their commitment to our region. Today’s announcement by the company and Empire State Development 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 Precision Optical Transceivers’ growth and the addition of new jobs at the Henrietta campus.” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “Precision OT’s expansion of its local operations will create more jobs and is yet another proof point that Monroe County is a hub for technology and innovation. Thank you to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development and Precision OT for your investment in our local economy.” Henrietta Town Supervisor Steve Schultz said, “The Town of Henrietta is always happy to welcome leading firms, like Precision Optical Transceivers. With close proximity to two leading universities in the imaging and optics fields, RIT and UR, Henrietta is becoming a hub for photonics and companies like Precision OT and government initiatives like AIM Photonics will only help grow that, providing more high end jobs for the community as well as the additive effect on other local businesses that comes from having these employees in Town.” Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs said, "We applaud the decision by Precision Optical Transceivers to continue to grow its business in Monroe County. As a result, the innovative company can continue to take advantage of the top-notch optics and imaging talent that is widely available in the region. We have no doubt that the company’s commitment to continue to partner with the AIM Photonics team will also assist with its future growth and success.” Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “Rochester, NY, is recognized as the world leader in optics, photonics, and imaging, making it the perfect location for Precision Optical Transceivers to expand and thrive. Precision Optical Transceivers’ leaders are leveraging the world-class R&D assets and highly skilled workforce in the Greater Rochester, NY region to accelerate the company’s growth plans. GRE looks forward to supporting Precision Optical Transceivers growth in the Greater Rochester, NY region.” For additional information about Precision Optical Transceivers, visit: https://www.precisionot.com/. 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 regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. 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. ​ 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.

Empire State Development oversees administration of the Empire State Musical and Theatrical Tax Credit Program, which is designed to encourage music and theatrical production companies to conduct pre-tour activities, technical rehearsals and to perform shows at locations in Upstate New York, home to some of the premier regional venues for musical and theatrical production. This report reflects activity during calendar year 2021. The information presented includes the number of productions that applied and projected spending and estimated credits for qualified production projects deemed eligible to participate in the Program. Musical and Theatrical Tax Credit Program: 2021