Empire State Development news and press releases

With videoconferencing to: Empire State Development – Buffalo Regional Office 95 Perry Street Suite 500                        Buffalo, NY 14203

See Cataract Commons site map and project rendering here The USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) Board of Directors met today and approved the General Project Plan and a Construction Services contract for the Cataract Commons Civic Project, a proposed public open space facility or “commons” space located on Old Falls Street, in downtown Niagara Falls. The project will transform an empty parcel into a more usable and inviting outdoor facility that will have permanent structural seating and shade, as well as flexibility for hosting various events.  The scope of work includes earthwork, the installation of metal shade structures, planters, fabricated wood and metal marquee signage, concrete flatwork, a concrete amphitheater, landscaping and lighting. See site map and project rendering here.  “The parcel of land that will become ‘Cataract Commons’ is an important urban space that helps shape the visitor experience in downtown Niagara Falls,” said USAN Board of Directors Chairwoman Francine DelMonte. “As such, our investment in more permanent capital improvements is necessary for this focal point on Old Falls Street.” This project, located at the southeast corner of Rainbow Boulevard and Old Falls Street, is approximately 10,000 square feet and is in the former footprint of the Wintergarden.  Although relatively small and currently largely unimproved, it has provided a place for tourists to stop and take a break with their families. The project is expected to be complete in May 2020.   The USAN Board awarded a $1,067,469 construction contract for Cataract Commons to Scott Lawn Yard, a certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (WBE/DBE).  Scott Lawn Yard’s past projects have included rehabilitation work at the Niagara Falls Water Treatment Plant; converting a section of the former Robert Moses Parkway to pedestrian pathways; and a regionwide landscaping project for the state Department of Transportation. USAN had previously contracted with Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects, LLP, to develop final design and bid documents.  Funding for the Cataract Commons project comes from the Buffalo Billion II.  In other items, the USAN Directors took a number of administrative actions. The board approved USAN’s annual operating budget and annual capital expense authorization for fiscal year 2019-2020. The board also approved the operating and capital budgets for the Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls and Old Falls Street for calendar year 2019.  The Directors also authorized entering into an amendment to a funding agreement with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) related to the Niagara Gorge Corridor – Parkway Removal Project. The amendment allows for NYPA to provide an additional $530,000 to fund consultant costs related to design support and monitoring during the construction phase of the ongoing project to remove a two-mile segment of the former Robert Moses Parkway, now known as the Niagara Scenic Parkway, from Main Street to Findlay Drive. 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 downtown 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 | pamm.lent@esd.ny.gov | (716) 846-8309 | (800) 260-7313 Laura Magee | laura.magee@esd.ny.gov | (716) 846-8239 | (800) 260-7313

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Global NY will lead a trade mission to Israel from March 25-28, 2019. Global NY is New York’s gateway for both local businesses interested in exporting internationally and foreign businesses looking to invest in New York. The upcoming trade mission will strengthen economic ties with Israel by helping to increase exports and the number of businesses that export in New York State. Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Israel is known as the ‘Startup Nation’ and this upcoming trade mission presents a unique opportunity for New York State businesses to gain access to this major international hub of innovation and technology.” The trade mission includes stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Each participating company will receive a customized schedule of meetings with prospective customers and/or business partners and will benefit from group networking events. Eligible businesses can also receive reimbursement from Global NY’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) for travel and lodging expenses as well as the $1,000 trade mission fee. Participating businesses represent diverse sectors and regions from across the state, including optics and imaging companies from the Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley, advanced manufacturing companies from Long Island, Mid-Hudson and Western New York and a marketing firm from New York City. Several of the companies supply goods and services to the Aerospace/Defense/Homeland Security, alternative energy, life sciences, electronics and communications industries. STEP is a Global NY program that is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the number of businesses entering the export market, and to increase the value of exports businesses are already producing. Grants are offered to qualifying small and medium-sized businesses for a range of purposes, including participation in foreign trade missions. Global NY organizes trade missions each year to help New York’s small to mid-sized companies export overseas as well as encourage foreign companies to invest and grow their businesses in the state. In 2018, Global NY led 37 companies on trade missions to Mexico, Germany, Canada and China. Israel is currently New York’s 5th largest export market and a key global hub for technology and innovation. The country’s GDP growth was 3.4 percent in 2017. Trade between the U.S. and Israel has increased eight-fold since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in 1985, leading to the elimination of virtually all trade tariffs. Companies interested in participating in future trade missions or the STEP program can contact Global NY at globalny@esd.ny.gov or 212-803-2300. To learn more about Global NY, click here. About Empire State Development Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). 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 NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.     Contact: Jack Sterne | jonathan.sterne@esd.ny.gov | (212) 803-3764 Adam Kilduff | adam.kilduff@esd.ny.gov | (212) 803-3744 ESD Press Office | pressoffice@esd.ny.gov | (800) 260-7313