Empire State Development news and press releases

See all the official press releases from Empire State Development.

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Board Meeting

Monday, December 18, 2023 - 9:00am
With Video Conferencing To: Empire State Development – Albany Office. 625 Broadway – 8th Floor Conference Room, Albany, New York 12245 And: Buffalo Regional Office, 95 Perry Street– 5th Floor Conference Room, Buffalo, New York 14203 This meeting is open to the public. Webcasting of the meeting is available by clicking the link below. Due to building procedures, those wishing to attend at any of these locations must RSVP by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023. RSVP press line (800) 260 -7313; RSVP public line (212) 803-3772. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda items in writing to [email protected] by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted online.
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Report

Friday, December 8, 2023 - 2:13pm
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Report

Friday, December 8, 2023 - 2:06pm
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Board Meeting

Friday, December 8, 2023 - 11:00am
Harlem Community Development Corporation Directors Meeting, 163 West 125th Street, 17th Floor Conference Room This meeting is open to the public. The public may also view and listen to the meeting by clicking the link below.  Members of the public wishing to attend in-person or to submit comments on the Agenda items may do so in writing to [email protected] by 4:30 PM on Thursday, December 7, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and posted online. Members of the press wishing to attend should please call (800) 260-7313
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Report

Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 12:25pm
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Press Release

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 8:15pm
Comprehensive Master Plan Envisions Over 2,800 Units of Housing, Including Affordable Housing, and Fulfills Other Local Needs and Priorities Such as Community Facilities, Open Space, and Much-Needed Amenities Plan Reflects Extensive Community Visioning Process Led in Partnership with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Complements Governor Hochul’s Bold Vision to Address New York State’s Housing Crisis Through Executive Action – Including Initiative to Repurpose State-Owned Sites as Housing Read the Creedmoor Master Plan Here Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled the Creedmoor Community Master Plan, a community-driven framework for redeveloping underutilized land at the 125-acre Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus in Eastern Queens. The plan seeks to transform approximately 58 acres of the State-owned Creedmoor campus from surface parking lots, overgrowth, and vacant buildings into a vibrant new community with homes, recreational spaces, greenery, and neighborhood retail. It is the result of a six-month collaborative planning process led by Empire State Development and the Queens Borough President's Office, facilitated with help from the Metropolitan Urban Design Workshop. The plan, which was released today at a meeting with community stakeholders, is available here. “Creedmoor represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Yorkers to reimagine State land and plan for the emerging needs of tomorrow,” Governor Hochul said. “Working together in productive partnership with the community – and thanks to the leadership of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards – we can build more housing, create more jobs, and strengthen Eastern Queens for the next generation.” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, “The potential before us on the Creedmoor campus is limitless, as the new Creedmoor Master Plan boldly outlines. From thousands of units of housing to historic homeownership opportunities to school seats to community facilities to retail, this plan represents the single largest investment in Eastern Queens in generations, and I could not be more excited for the work ahead. It’s taken decades to get to this moment, and I’m deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, Empire State Development and the residents of Eastern Queens for their tireless dedication and partnership in developing this community-centric proposal from the ground up. We’re making history every day in Queens, and this project is yet another example of our borough’s bright future.” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “After decades of unrealized promises about Creedmoor, today Governor Hochul, ESD, and Borough President Donovan stand together in partnership with the community to support this comprehensive plan to strengthen Eastern Queens. This vision represents a new opportunity for the neighborhoods around Creedmoor to finally move forward on local priorities and prepare for the community’s emerging needs.” The Creedmoor Community Master Plan introduces over 2,800 units of new housing, with more than 55 percent designated as homeownership. This would represent the area’s single largest new investment in housing since the 1950s and its largest single expansion in homeownership opportunities in nearly 50 years. The Plan also introduces a mix of affordable rental options for seniors and families, and continues a nearly 80-year history of veteran housing in Eastern Queens by offering individuals who have served in the armed forces preferential access to a portion of the project’s units. In addition, the Plan designates approximately 14 acres for open space and sets aside locations for amenities such as a recreation center, daycare facility, school, and neighborhood retail. Read the full press release here.
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Press Release

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 3:07pm
Program Aims to Connect 100,000 Affordable Housing Units with High-Speed Broadband Infrastructure Through Partnership Between Empire State Development's ConnectALL Office and New York State Homes and Community Renewal Complements Governor Hochul's Bold Agenda to Address New York's Housing Crisis – Including Five-Year, $25 Billion Housing Plan to Build and Preserve 100,000 Affordable Units and Executive Actions to Promote Housing Growth Request for Applications from Internet Service Providers Available Here Survey for Property Owners Seeking Consideration for No-Cost Broadband Upgrades Available Here Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that applications are now open for the $100 million Affordable Housing Connectivity Program, a partnership led by Empire State Development’s ConnectALL Office in consultation with New York State Homes and Community Renewal to design and install broadband infrastructure at 100,000 affordable housing units across New York State. The program, which is federally funded through the Treasury Department's Capital Projects Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act, is the largest targeted investment in affordable housing connectivity in the nation. The request for applications is available here. "As part of my administration's commitment to building safe, stable, affordable housing, we are leveraging a $100 million federal investment to give New Yorkers one of the most important household amenities we can offer –access to high-speed internet," Governor Hochul said. “With work, school, and essential government services going digital, affordable homes need affordable, reliable broadband, and this funding will help bolster our efforts to build housing equipped with the basic tools that New Yorkers need to succeed. I thank the New York delegation for supporting New York's Affordable Housing Connectivity Program and for their partnership in helping to create housing where New York families cannot just live but thrive." New York’s Affordable Housing Connectivity Program is a competitive grant program designed to fund high-speed, reliable broadband infrastructure to and within low-income housing buildings. Internet service providers are invited to apply for $100 million in federal funding for retrofits to provide internet infrastructure in affordable housing rental units to support high-speed internet. Property owners must complete a survey to be considered for no-cost broadband upgrades to their building. ConnectALL will pair eligible properties with the best proposals from Internet Service Providers to complete the installation. The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program complements Governor Hochul's bold agenda to increase the supply of housing, including affordable housing, and address New York's housing crisis. Earlier this year, the Governor announced a package of executive actions to promote housing growth across New York State, including: the prioritization of Pro-Housing Communities for $650 million in state discretionary funding; a statewide assessment of state-owned sites for potential housing opportunities; the start of an initiative to address regulatory hurdles to housing production; and the creation of a program to accelerate housing growth in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn. As part of the FY 2023 Budget, Governor Hochul also secured funding for a five-year, $25 billion housing plan to build and preserve 100,000 affordable homes. Read the full press release here.
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Press Release

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 9:47am
Whiting Door Manufacturing Corporation Will Add 25 New Jobs When $4 Million Project is Completed  Empire State Development (ESD) announced today that Whiting Door, a manufacturing company that supplies roll-up and swing doors for the transportation industry, will undergo a  $4 million expansion at its Akron facility. The project, located in Akron, NY will support at least 25 new jobs in the state-of-the-art manufacturing space.  “Whiting Door, a community-dedicated company doing business across the globe, is one of the top performers of Western New York’s manufacturing economy,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “With a highly skilled workforce and plans for a new state-of-the-art facility, the company is in an excellent position to create more jobs and products, and to grow the regional economy." The family-owned-and-managed company has operated in Western New York for more than 70 years, with additional facilities in California and partners in over 14 countries covering the globe. Whiting developed the first practical overhead roll-up door for trucks and trailers in 1953. Today, Whiting remains the world's leading designer and supplier in the industry with a full line of dry freight, insulated and specialty roll-up doors, swing doors. Whiting also produces custom laminated panels for marine, rail and industrial applications. The company is known for its custom engineered products and remains the only ISO Certified company in the roll-up door industry.   Whiting was recently engaged to manufacture lightweight doors that supports a large contract to produce up to 150,000 zero-emission and low-emission internal combustion engine delivery vehicles over the next 10 years. Whiting’s expansion project supports the facility, state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and warehousing space needed, and will be built by 2025 to support full-volume production.   Ben Whiting, Vice President at Whiting Door Manufacturing said, “It is exciting to move toward production after a seven-year design, development and bid process. Our engineering and production teams were instrumental in bringing this from concept to reality.  We evaluated several options to support the project from different geographies, but ESD helped close the gap, allowing us to build at home.” ESD is incentivizing Whiting Door to continue to grow in Erie County by providing up to $500,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in exchange for job creation commitments.  Additionally, the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees will review an application for a $595,000 funding award through its Western New York Power Proceeds Fund for the firm at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, December 11. If approved, the award will further support the company’s expansion and job creation. Learn more about Whiting Door here.  Senator Patrick Gallivan said, “I congratulate Whiting Door on the expansion of its Akron facility and wish them continued success. This exciting project supports the company’s existing workforce, creates new jobs, and helps build the local economy. Whiting’s commitment to Western New York and its partnership with Empire State Development sends a positive message about our community and our region.” Assembly Member Stephen Hawley said, "I'm proud to see that Whiting Door, a local, family-owned company is expanding its facilities in Akron. Businesses like this provide much-needed employment opportunities for our citizens which in turn, support the local economy. I look forward to seeing the impact that these new investments will have on our community." Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “Businesses such as Whiting Door are critical parts of Erie County’s economy, employing thousands of residents and producing products locally that are known worldwide. Whiting Door’s choice to expand here in Akron rather than starting a new chapter elsewhere is more confirmation of Erie County’s favorable business climate and world-class workforce, and I wish them well in their expansion.” 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 | (716) 560-8815  
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Press Release

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 - 1:36pm
Partnership Led By Infinite Horizons, L+M Development Partners, Urbane, and Lemor Development Group Will Transform Lincoln Correctional Facility Into Dynamic Hub for Housing and Community Spaces Part of Governor Hochul’s Bold Vision to Address New York State’s Housing Crisis Through Executive Action – Including Initiative to Repurpose State-Owned Sites as Housing Also Builds on Recommendations of the Prison Redevelopment Commission to Reimagine Underutilized Jails and Prisons See Renderings Here Traducción al español Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled Seneca, the selected proposal to redevelop the former Lincoln Correctional Facility in Manhattan. This proposed project would invest over $90 million in Harlem, bringing 105 affordable homeownership units, community spaces, and jobs with ambitious MWBE contracting and local hiring goals, all of which would contribute to the enduring prosperity of the Harlem community. A 65 percent Minority-Owned Business Enterprise partnership led by Infinite Horizons, L+M Development Partners, Urbane, and Lemor Development Group has been conditionally designated to transform the 10,000-square-foot property to deliver affordable homeownership and community-centric spaces. “This announcement brings us one step closer to transforming the former Lincoln Correctional Facility in New York City into a vibrant, mixed-use development with more than 100 affordable new homes,” Governor Hochul said. “As part of my commitment to increasing New York’s housing supply, my administration is continuing to follow the recommendations of the Prison Redevelopment Commission and reimagine what’s possible at underutilized jails and prisons. Soon, this project will unlock tools to help us address the housing crisis, create jobs, and improve New Yorkers’ quality of life, and I look forward to working with the development team to bring it to fruition.” Now envisioned as Seneca, this reimagined site would fuse affordable homeownership with arts and culture to become a vibrant community hub in Harlem. The Seneca project builds on the Governor’s bold vision to address New York’s housing crisis, including through the Pro-Housing Communities Program and Executive Order 30, which catalyze barrier-breaking approaches to accelerate critically needed development. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “By transforming the former Lincoln Correctional Facility into 105 units of affordable housing, we are not only creating new pathways to homeownership, but we are also planting the seeds for generations of residents to put down roots and build wealth in the community they call home. Seneca represents the power of reimagination to sow spaces where equitable growth can blossom for a brighter future in Harlem.” Seneca is a visionary redevelopment proposal designed to unlock the full potential of the 10,000-square-foot site and deliver significant benefits to the Harlem community. Located on West 110th Street, the site sits directly across from Central Park and is close to transit, retail, schools, and premier cultural institutions. At the core of this transformative project are 105 affordable homeownership units, all of which would be affordable to households earning 80 percent and 100 percent of area median income (AMI) and require only a 5 percent down payment to purchase, offering an invaluable opportunity to build wealth through property ownership. Creating affordable homeownership opportunities in Harlem would advance social mobility and equity in the community and have a powerful transformational impact on each family at Seneca for generations to come. Read the full press release here.
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Press Release

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 - 12:09pm
Clarkson Estates Will Include 164 Apartments with Supportive Services for Formerly Homeless Individuals and Families All-Electric, Passive House Development Will Offer Over 30,000 Square Feet of Community Facility Space to Support Healthy and Thriving Communities Development is Part of the State's Vital Brooklyn Initiative to Address Health and Economic Disparities in Central Brooklyn Traducción al español Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on Clarkson Estates in Flatbush, Brooklyn which will feature 328 affordable apartments, including 164 supportive units for formerly homeless households. The highly energy efficient, all-electric development will also include 30,000 square feet of space for community programming such as a violence prevention program, workforce training, and a food pantry. Clarkson Estates is part of the state's Vital Brooklyn Initiative to address chronic social, economic, and health disparities in Brooklyn's high-need communities. “Clarkson Estates continues our progress expanding access to essential services and quality affordable housing for Central Brooklyn’s historically underserved neighborhoods,” Governor Hochul said. “Through the Vital Brooklyn Initiative, we are improving the health and quality of life of Central Brooklyn's residents while complementing our statewide efforts to address the housing shortage and build a more equitable New York for all.” In the last five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved 7,500 affordable homes in Brooklyn. Clarkson Estates continues this effort and is also part of Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, and to electrify 50,000 of those homes. Located in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate neighborhood in Flatbush, Brooklyn, Clarkson Estates will be constructed on the site of a one-story parking facility previously used by SUNY Downstate Medical Center. In addition to the 328 affordable apartments, the nine-story building will offer approximately 80 rentable parking spaces that will be made available to the community. Read the full press release here.  
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