Empire State Development Blog

Not-For-Profit Café and Roastery Will Provide Training and Jobs to Residents in the Broadway/Fillmore Community Funding Comes from Buffalo’s East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the grand opening of the Three Stories Coffee Co. at 1021 Broadway on the East Side of Buffalo. The small batch coffee roastery is a not-for-profit extension of 716 Ministries, which empowers individuals and transforms neighborhoods through job training. The coffee shop and café is located in a building that was renovated with the support of a $525,000 grant from New York State’s East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund. “Governor Hochul is working hard to guarantee that every Buffalo neighborhood shares in the city’s economic recovery,” said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO- designate Hope Knight. “By allocating state resources that lead to local training and jobs, we are helping to build a better, stronger future for all Buffalo residents.” Three Stories Coffee Co. is known for its passion for great coffee and intentional economics. Its name comes from the three pillars of the business: direct trade, locally roasted, and not-for-profit. The company is committed to being mindful with every step of its supply chain while also providing equitable wages, caring for the environment and investing in service to the community. Jeremy Hazelton, Executive Director of 716 Ministries said of Three Stories Coffee, “Three Stories represents the latest social enterprise of 716 Ministries, where each business that we start is about redefining the bottom line—creating access to programs and services that make a real difference in the communities we serve. We don’t hire people to sell coffee, we sell coffee to hire people.” A half-dozen employees of the coffee company are receiving hands-on experience in 716 Ministries’ customer service certification program. A variety of high-quality coffee, tea, and smoothie options, as well as breakfast and lunch items, are being served. Three Stories is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Herm Cooks, Three Stories Coffee Co. General Manager said, “Our staff reflects the wide variety of cultures found in the neighborhood. The entire team is proud to be serving the community delicious food in a café that is both warm and welcoming.” Three Stories Coffee is reinvesting 100% of the proceeds from the café to create opportunities through workforce development, community investment, and employment, all in an effort to support some of the region’s most vulnerable residents.  More information about Three Stories Coffee can be found at https://threestoriescoffee.com/. The cafe is located next to the Broadway Market at 1021 Broadway, a five-story building that houses a full-service health and wellness hub designed to help lift Buffalo’s East Side. More than 100 people work in the building overall, which includes multiple social service agencies, a pharmacy, a medically oriented gym and a dental clinic. There are also shared workspaces and conference rooms, a community kitchen, and new computers. Mosaic 659 Foundation renovated 3,250 square feet of commercial space on the first floor of the building, which now includes retail, restrooms, storage space, and elevator upgrades. Mosaic’s project received a $525,000 grant from the State’s East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund. In March 2019, New York State announced the $50 million East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund, an initiative to spark revitalization of Buffalo’s East Side through investments in the four main north-south commercial corridors: Michigan, Jefferson, Fillmore and Bailey avenues. Funding will help revive traditional main streets and commercial corridors through the preservation of historic buildings, funding of capital improvements in neighborhood assets, expansion of commercial opportunities, improvements to infrastructure, as well as the promotion of mixed-use private investment in these neighborhoods. The funding is designed to empower community residents to improve their businesses and neighborhoods, making it a ground up revitalization effort led by and directly benefiting the community. The fund compliments previous investments on the East Side, including $10 million for the Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative and $5 million for the Buffalo Central Terminal, for a total of $65 million in investments since 2017. Senator Tim Kennedy said, “Three Stories Coffee Co. is not only investing in our city; they're investing in the people who call it home. As New York continues to fuel small businesses through the East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund, I'm thrilled to see Three Stories Coffee open its doors and offer a thoughtful, empowering approach to growing both our economy and our workforce.” Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “The grand opening of Three Stories Coffee Co. located in Buffalo’s Eastside is a great use of the Empire State Development resources to help revitalize our community and strengthen our workforce. I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul, 716 Ministries, and all the other community stakeholders, whose leadership contributed to making this project a reality.” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “The opening of the Three Stories Coffee Company is good news for the neighborhood and further proof of how new business and new economic life is percolating in the Broadway Fillmore area. Investments such as these grow career opportunities and help individuals on paths to future success while also invigorating the neighborhood.” City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “I congratulate 716 Ministries on the launch of this innovative coffee business that not only adds to the retail mix of one of Buffalo’s oldest business corridors, but also includes a job training component. The adaptive reuse of 1021 Broadway, which is now home to several medical and human services organizations, and now 3 Stories Coffee, is a great model for what we hope to see as my Administration works with Empire State Development on the $10 million initiative which will breathe new life into the Broadway Market and the surrounding neighborhoods.” 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. Contact: Pamm Lent | [email protected] | (716) 846-8309 Laura Magee | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239

President LeMura Replaces SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley, Former President of SUNY Oswego The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council (CNYREDC) today announced that Dr. Linda M. LeMura, President of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the council. She succeeds SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley, who formerly served as the long tenured President of SUNY Oswego. President LeMura, who has participated as a council member since 2015, joins fellow Co-Chair Randy Wolken, President of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), in the council’s efforts to support and promote economic growth across the five-county region. The CNYREDC is composed of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties. “Our Regional Economic Development Council process helps to spur collaborative, creative projects that revitalize communities, attract high-tech businesses, and improve the economy and quality of life in Central New York,” said Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, Chair of the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils. “I congratulate Dr. Linda LeMura on her appointment as the new Co-Chair of the Central New York REDC. I feel confident that the Council will continue to work together with academic, business, and nonprofit leadership to ensure the Central New York region's economic prosperity under President LeMura's leadership." Dr. LeMura, a scientist and academic, was named as the 14th President of Le Moyne College in 2014 after having previously served the college as Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2007 to 2014 and as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2003 to 2007. Dr. LeMura has also overseen the completion of the $100 million Always Forward campaign, the largest campaign in the College’s history. Additionally, she has worked to form strong partnerships with other institutions of higher education and is engaged in the greater Syracuse community to improve the lives and education of those in the Central New York region. Dr. LeMura earned a Ph.D. in Applied Physiology from Syracuse University and a B.S. summa cum laude from Niagara University. "It is an honor and a privilege to be named co-chair of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council," said Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura." As a direct result of strategic partnerships among leaders in business, nonprofits, higher ed, and technology, many important economic initiatives have come to fruition to revitalize and strengthen our communities in measurable ways. I look forward to building upon the excellent work of my predecessor, Deborah Stanley, and to working with my co-chair Randy Wolken and all those involved with the CNYREDC, including our Empire State Development colleagues in Central New York and Albany. I am deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for giving me the opportunity to serve in this role." CNYREDC Co-Chair MACNY President Randy Wolken said, "I am very much looking forward to working closely with President LeMura as CNYREDC co-chairs and know that she brings to the table a wealth of knowledge about our regional economy. I would also like to thank Deborah Stanley, for her years of tireless service to the region and to the people of New York State.”  SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “Serving as a Co-Chair of the Central New York Region Economic Development Council has been a tremendous honor. The council’s work has been impactful, creating jobs and opportunity in the Central New York region as it moves forward. I would like to offer my best wishes to President LeMura and Randy Wolken, and my thanks to all the members of the CNYREDC who have done so much in support of this region." 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 CNYREDC has delivered over $839.5 million for 873 projects. Accelerating CNY Rising  Today's announcement complements “CNY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Now, the region is accelerating CNY Rising 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 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here. 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: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313  

New Building Equipped for Life Sciences, Arts, Commercial, Retail and Academic Tenants  Features 350,000 Square Feet of Commercial Space and 20,000 Square Feet of Outdoor Space    $10 Million State Investment Supports Growing Life Sciences Industry in New York City  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the $700 million Taystee Lab Building, an 11-story, 350,000 square feet mixed-use development located in West Harlem's Manhattanville Factory District. The former Taystee Bakery site has been repurposed and reimagined as the Taystee Lab Building, a brand-new, Class-A, LEED-certified life sciences building.  "The completion of the Taystee Lab Building is a milestone in the next chapter of Harlem's rich history," Governor Hochul said. "Anchoring the Manhattanville Factory District, the new state-of-the-art building will serve as the home for innovative companies developing the next generation of life science research and technology. As we continue to build back from the pandemic, today's investments that support our life science infrastructure will ensure that we are better prepared, better equipped and more resilient in the future."  "Back in May of 2019—when the Governor and I were at the groundbreaking for the Taystee Lab Building in our former capacities as Lieutenant Governor and State Senator—we could not anticipate just how pertinent and necessary this investment would become," said Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. "Now, as we dare to meaningfully rebuild the state's economy, it's only natural that we invest heavily in our health workforce and infrastructure. Today's ribbon cutting represents exactly the types of investments government should be making to ensure our recovery is an equitable one. As we rebuild and reopen in time for summer, we must strive for a New York that benefits the full diversity of people who call this state home. It's the only way to ensure New York reemerges stronger, fairer, and healthier than ever before."  Read the full press release here.

The Empire State Jobs Retention Program was created to provide financial incentives to retain strategic businesses and jobs that are at risk of leaving the state due to the impact on business operations from a natural disaster. Below please find charts A & B of the quarterly program report detailing businesses admitted to the program and credits issued for the fourth quarter, ending 12/31/2021. Empire State Jobs Retention Program Quarterly Report - Chart A: Businesses Admitted To Program Empire State Jobs Retention Program Quarterly Report- Chart B: Credits Issued