Empire State Development news and press releases

Investment Complements “Southern Tier Soaring” - The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development today announced the ceremonial groundbreaking at SUNY Corning Community College (SUNY CCC) for their STEAM Innovation Center, which will explore and expand public-private partnerships with local employers to meet workforce needs. The STEAM Innovation Center will also be home to the Mechatronics Lab and Innovation Hub and will incorporate academic programs including digital design and mechatronics, a multidisciplinary field combining electronics and mechanical engineering. Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “As we continue in invest in companies that will bring jobs of the future to New York State, we need to have skilled workers to fill those jobs and the new STEAM Innovation Center is a smart investment to meet the evolving needs of our growing workforce.” “We are grateful to New York State and the Governor for the continued support of our mission to prepare students for rewarding careers in the 21st century as we meet the needs of local business and industry,” said Dr. Katherine P. Douglas, President of SUNY Corning Community College. “The Center for STEAM Innovation will be an interdisciplinary facility that will unleash the power of innovation and collaboration as a result of the transformative power that comes from working in synergy across boundaries. The programs that the Center will help us develop will further empower us to meet our region’s workforce needs – with new programs and new training techniques, including apprenticeship opportunities.”  To support the STEAM Innovation Center, SUNY CCC was awarded a $1 million CFA grant as part Round VIIIof the Regional Economic Development Council awards in 2018. The funding will be used for site upgrades and to purchase and to install state-of-the-art equipment that will be used to prepare students with a rigorous education in new and emerging areas of technology, design, and science that supports industries such as advanced manufacturing. Senator Tom O'Mara said, "Corning Community College's new STEAM Innovation Center will be an exciting and critical addition to our regional efforts to build and grow the workforce of the future.  It promises to be a pipeline of talent for local manufacturers and other employers." Assemblyman Phil Palmesano said, "The workers who will be trained at the STEAM Innovation Center will re-energize and revitalize advanced manufacturing and other Southern Tier industries. We are excited and grateful to welcome this state-of-the-art, public-private workforce development initiative to our region, and we look forward to its success."  “Steuben County is very excited for the groundbreaking of the STEAM Innovation Center at CCC,” said Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler. “CCC is a critical component of the economic and workforce development system in the region, and the STEAM Innovation Center will be yet another innovative initiative on campus. We are grateful for the investment by New York State and ESD, and look forward to the inevitable success of the program.” Corning Mayor William M. Boland Jr. said, “The STEAM Innovation Center continues the impactful leadership initiatives of Corning Community College. With this initiative comes a new commitment to 21st century challenges and opportunities. With it will come a workforce prepared to move lives and America forward to bright and optimistic futures.” Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring  Today's announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.2 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. 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 10,200 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 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, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.     Contact: Kristin Devoe | kristin.devoe@esd.ny.gov | (518) 292-5107 Press Office | pressoffice@esd.ny.gov | (800) 260-7313

USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) today announced that Anthony Vilardo will join USAN as President.  USAN, a subsidiary of Empire State Development (ESD), supports and promotes economic development initiatives in Niagara Falls by leveraging private investment and encouraging growth and renewal of the tourism industry in the city.  Vilardo starts at USAN on May 6, 2019.  The USAN Board of Directors will be requested to approve Vilardo’s appointment to the office of President of USAN at its next meeting, scheduled for May 8, 2019.  See headshot here. As the new USAN President, Vilardo will manage daily operations of the USAN office in Niagara Falls and work on a variety of projects in Niagara Falls that are creating jobs, encouraging businesses investment, improving regional infrastructure and promoting tourism activity.  He will work with state and local elected officials, other state agencies, civic groups, community leaders and the private sector to improve the Niagara Region. “As our economic development representative in downtown Niagara Falls, Anthony will be driving the strategies to grow business and tourism in the city and I’m proud to welcome him to the team,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “I am honored to have the opportunity to continue working to advance the progress downtown Niagara Falls has made under the leadership of Governor Cuomo and Mayor Dyster,” said Vilardo.  “I am firmly invested in this community; I grew up here, was educated here, and my wife and I have chosen to raise our children here.  We’ve made great progress thus far in the City’s downtown revitalization, and I am looking forward to playing a part in its continued renewal.” Vilardo, a Niagara Falls native, has worked as Director of Business Development for the City of Niagara Falls since June 2015.  In that role he served as executive director of N.F.C. Development Corporation and Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency, working on a variety of projects in the City and managing a portfolio of 50 grants and loans.  More importantly, Anthony has been an integral part of the overall economic development team in Niagara Falls, working in almost daily coordination with partners at ESD and USAN, as well as with the Niagara County Center for Economic Development, Destination Niagara USA, other state and local agencies, and public service utilities.  “For more than a decade, no strategic partnership has been more essential to the City’s resurgence than the close, day-to-day working relationship with USA Niagara,” said City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster.  “Anthony’s selection as its president ensures that the progress made in transforming the city’s downtown and expanding the tourism economy will continue into the future.” Prior to his work with the City of Niagara Falls, Vilardo served as the Governor’s Representative for Central New York; Field Coordinator of the Central New York Area Labor Federation, ALF-CIO; Director of Major and Planned Giving at ProLiteracy; and Manager, Political Action Committee at National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association.  Vilardo is a graduate of Niagara University and lives in Niagara Falls with his wife Cheryl, and their daughters Carmella and Kate. About USA Niagara Development Corporation USAN, a subsidiary of Empire State Development Corporation, 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, click here.      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

With videoconferencing to:   The New York State Department of Labor State Campus – Building 12 Albany, NY 12240   The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets 10B Airline Drive Albany, NY 12235  

321 South Salina Street Capital Project