Empire State Development news and press releases

Downtown Revitalization Initiative Project in Bridge District Will Serve as Anchor for the Community   See Conceptual Renderings and Picture of Interior of Church Here  The New York State Department of State (DOS) and Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Niagara University has begun work to establish an academic innovation hub and community space in the Bridge District in Niagara Falls. Niagara University will invest more than $2.5 million, including a $1.1 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, to purchase the First Congregational United Church of Christ, a historic church at 822 Cleveland Ave, and transform it into a center for community outreach to help residents with early childhood development, economic development, community collaborations, and focus on health and wellness of residents.  “After much planning, the projects selected through the DRI process in Niagara Falls’ Bridge District are finally becoming a reality,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight.  “Renovating this historic building will broaden its community reach and impact as an active space for community, educational and business uses. Providing new professional resources and neighborhood amenities will also add to the area’s quality of life, both for existing residents, and for newcomers drawn by projects like these that are transforming the state’s city centers.”  “This project underscores the indispensable role that universities serve as anchors for urban revitalization, economic development and the overall quality of life within a community,” said New York State Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez.  “The establishment of this innovation hub in the Bridge District DRI enhances the vibrancy and vitality of this rising Niagara Falls neighborhood and the region.”  “Niagara University remains deeply committed to the growth and revitalization of Niagara Falls,” said Niagara University President Rev. James J. Maher. “The academic innovation hub is one more step forward as we work with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Restaino and our key partners to align with existing initiatives to bring economic, workforce and social development to the Bridge District. We are beginning to see progress in our community, and I look forward to working with the entire community to create opportunities for growth and investment in our region.”  Niagara Falls’ Bridge District, a business district along North Main Street near the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge to Canada (and former bridges such as the Railway Suspension Bridge) was awarded $10 million under Round 4 of the DRI in August 2019. The Niagara University project was identified as one of 10 transformational projects under the DRI spending plan and will receive a $1.1 million DRI grant administered by Empire State Development.  The project is expected to be complete in spring 2023.   Niagara University will continue to lease the main floor of the church to the existing congregation, which has been active since 1855, for weekly services. The church has a rich history, including the belief that it was a stop on the Underground Railroad and was a host to 19th century abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The building’s location gives Niagara University a high-profile community presence to support direct neighborhood outreach, academic and civic programming, and historical and cultural events.    The university’s investment in the church will transform parts of the building into a state-of-the-art working space to meet the needs of the innovation hub. In addition to renovations, the university will purchase new furniture, computers, and technology related equipment, and it will make a number of infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of an elevator to provide handicap access. The building’s worship space will remain intact, and will be used for various activities including the continued use by the existing congregation, a speaker series and music events.  Niagara Falls’ Bridge District was named a DRI round 4 winner in August 2019.  With support from the Department of State, Niagara Falls developed a strategic investment plan that envisions the Bridge District as an active, walkable neighborhood that supports growing businesses and provides a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors that celebrates the area’s unique qualities and amenities. The strategic investment plan is guiding revitalization projects to advance the community’s vision for the district and to leverage and expand upon the state’s $10 million investment.    City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, “I am grateful for Niagara University’s proven dedication to our community. The new Academic Innovation Hub will serve not only as a learning opportunity for students, but also a resource center for Niagara Falls residents. They will have immediate access to resources to help strengthen their professional lives, as well as their personal lives. The resources that will be available will open up new doors for residents to drastically improve their quality of life.”  State Senator Robert Ortt said, “With this investment by New York State, the residents of our Niagara Falls community will now have greater access to important services that are necessary for not only everyday life but also the further development of our city. This new Academic Innovations Hub with help build upon the positive progress we are witnessing throughout our city and is a brilliant display of what can be done when educational institutions, local government, and state government collaborate. I applaud this joint effort and look forward to the results created because of it.”  Assemblymember Angelo Morinello said, “I’m confident that Niagara University’s Academic Innovation Hub will become a prominent local anchor that expands the university’s presence in the city, serves the families and children of the Bridge District and fosters community and economic development. Thanks to Governor Hochul and Niagara University we are realizing our vision for this district to fully reach its incredible potential.”   The Niagara Falls Bridge District centers on a Main Street corridor, featuring prominent civic and cultural spaces, regional transportation amenities, and close to outdoor attractions, including De Veaux Woods and Whirlpool state parks and the Niagara Gorge. In recent years, the construction of the Amtrack Station, the Underground Railroad Heritage Center, and the creation of the Gorgeview section of Niagara Falls State Park, through the state’s removal of the Robert Moses Parkway along the reclaimed Niagara Gorge rim, have laid the groundwork for enhanced connectivity.  The DRI identifies key investments in public spaces, signature design projects, and strategic support of private projects to continue to bridge the divide, sown by urban renewal, between Main Street and the Niagara Gorge by fostering connections between community assets, a sense of place, and residential options for a diverse population. Niagara Falls is eager to ensure that investment will deliver on the principles of good urbanism to create a welcoming gateway district for visitors, a sought-after area for commercial activity and employment, and a desirable, livable neighborhood.  Downtown Revitalization Initiative  New York State’s DRI, a cornerstone of its economic development program, transforms downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers that offer a high quality of life and are magnets for redevelopment, business, job creation, and economic and housing diversity. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative "plan-then-act" strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles.  More information on the DRI is available here.  About the First Congregational Church  The First Congregational Church was completed in 1856, the same year Niagara University was founded. Construction was spearheaded and completed via the donations of area residents who contributed limestone, bedrock and other materials that were used to build the Railway Suspension Bridge. Area lore has it that the first parishioners were abolitionists and that the church was a stop on the Underground Railroad, hence the museum of that same name on nearby Depot Avenue West.  Niagara University  Founded by the Vincentian community in 1856, Niagara University is a comprehensive institution, blending the best of a liberal arts and professional education, grounded in our values-based Catholic tradition. Its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management, and Nursing offer programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral level.  As the first Vincentian university established in the United States, Niagara prepares students for personal and professional success while emphasizing service to the community in honor of St. Vincent de Paul. Niagara’s institutional commitment to service-learning has led to its inclusion on the President’s Honor Roll for Community Service every year since its inception in 2006, and its recognition with the Carnegie Foundation’s Classification for Community Engagement.  Contact: Laura Magee (ESD) | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239 Department of State (DOS) |  [email protected] | 518-486-9846 

New York's Largest Biotech Company Continues to Grow in the Mid-Hudson Region, Bringing at Least 1,000 New Jobs over Five Years  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking for Regeneron's previously announced $1.8 billion research, preclinical manufacturing and support facilities at the company's Westchester County campus in Tarrytown. The company, a biotechnology leader that invents and manufactures life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases, committed to creating at least 1,000 new full-time, high-skill jobs in the Mid-Hudson Region over the next five years. To encourage Regeneron's continued expansion in New York State, Empire State Development is supporting the project with up to $100 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, consistent with the company's hiring goals. Regeneron considered several potential sites in the tri-state area before deciding to expand in the Mid-Hudson region.  "New York is a leader in the life sciences industry in part due to the decades of investment and many groundbreaking scientific advancements at Regeneron," Governor Hochul said. "The COVID-19 crisis was one demonstration of how quickly and effectively Regeneron is able to deploy its drug discovery and development engine against devastating diseases. Regeneron's work has undoubtedly saved countless lives in New York and throughout the United States, and we are proud that Regeneron will continue to create good jobs and invest in the Mid-Hudson region as they work to make additional breakthroughs against blindness-causing diseases, cancer, genetic diseases and more."    Regeneron President and Chief Executive Officer Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D., said, "We have been a proud New York company since our beginning over three decades ago, during which time we have invented industry-leading drug discovery technology and developed ten FDA-approved or authorized medicines entirely in our own laboratories. New York State has played an important role in our success by consistently recognizing the value of innovation, fostering an inclusive and dynamic biomedical industry, and helping to attract top talent to the region."  Tarrytown serves as Regeneron's corporate and research and development headquarters, and the expansion plan now underway includes the addition of new laboratories, preclinical manufacturing and process development suites and office space. This project will encompass the design, construction and fit out of up to eight buildings, three parking garages and a central utility plant totaling approximately 900,000 square feet.   The project is expected to take place in two phases over six years, with construction expected to be completed in 2027. The direct and indirect fiscal benefit to state and local government is estimated to be more than $283.3 million, with a nearly $2 billion estimated economic benefit to New York State.  Regeneron was founded in 1988 in New York City; the following year, New York State invested $250,000 in the company. Today, Regeneron is the largest biotech company in New York State and one of the largest and most productive in the world. The company is consistently ranked among the best biopharmaceutical employers by Sciencemagazine and included on the Civic 50 list of most community-minded companies in the nation.   Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Regeneron is a New York State company with a record of success in creating lifesaving advancements that benefit the entire world. Additionally, Regeneron is a company that invests in the surrounding communities and its employees. Not only will Regeneron continue to bring substantial economic growth to the Mid-Hudson Region, they will continue to be a good community partner in the region."    Read the full press release here.

Project Supports Regional Food Production and Manufacturing Industry Watch Video of Project Here  Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Americold has completed construction of a 181,000-square-foot cold storage distribution facility on approximately 28 acres in the Town of Dunkirk in Chautauqua County. The $41 million project will create 60 new jobs, in addition to the 250 construction jobs created to build the facility, which will provide much-needed cold storage for the food supply chain in the area. "New York State is pleased to support Americold's growth and advance economic recovery efforts in Western New York's vital food manufacturing sector," Governor Hochul said. "The food and beverage industry will continue to play a major role in lifting our state's economy, and through innovation, coordination, and responsiveness to consumer demands, New York businesses like Americold will help to ensure that we continue to lead the nation in shipping and storage."   The food and beverage industry is a significant and stable contributor to the US economy; it plays a leading role as an employer in many regional economies. The industry's efficiency, continuous innovation over time, and response to changing consumer demand has helped to ensure the affordability and quality of the US food supply, as well as the competitiveness of US food exports. Americold's project is an example of how the primary economic activity of food manufacturing creates value added secondary impacts with its needs for storage and shipping - reverberating through the local and regional economies, creating additional income and employment for businesses.  Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "We want to ensure that Western New York's food production industry continues to thrive. Americold's expansive warehouse project will catalyze economic growth in Chautauqua County and throughout the region, supporting local manufacturers with expanded storage and transportation solutions and creating new jobs that will help secure a brighter future for all."  New York Power Authority Chairman John R. Koelmel said, "The Niagara Power project is a cornerstone for economic development in Western New York where it directly supports tens of thousands of jobs. We at NYPA are proud to support Americold so that it can establish a new cold storage facility in Dunkirk that will create 60 jobs and provide storage for Wells Enterprises, a major ice cream manufacturer and NYPA power customer."  Americold offers a comprehensive temperature-controlled storage and distribution network that is supported by the most advanced technology. For almost 120 years, Americold has been providing technology-based engineered solutions for the temperature-controlled supply chain industry - supporting everyone from local artisans to regional grocery stores, and from national food producers to international food and beverage organizations. Americold's services include blast freezing and tempering, kitting, labeling, date-coding, and repackaging to meet the needs of its global customer base.  Read the full press release here.

Fresh Meal Delivery Service Moves into 80,000 Square-Foot Production Facility in the Town of Geneva Project Complements "Finger Lakes Forward" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the official grand opening of meal delivery service RealEats 80,000 square-foot production facility located at 1 Montmorency Way (Routes 5 & 20) in the Town of Geneva, Ontario County. Originally located in the Geneva Enterprise Development Center, a local business incubator, RealEats will produce and ship fully cooked, farm-fresh customizable meals from the new Geneva location, where it currently employs approximately 160 people. This expansion builds on the Finger Lakes regions vibrant agriculture and food processing sector, a central part of the regionally designed Finger Lakes Forward economic development plan. "New York state is globally known for having some of the best food products in the world, and the agricultural industry is an important part of our statewide economy," Governor Hochul said. "By continuing to build on our investments in successful companies like RealEats, we are bolstering startups that are focused on the future of the agribusiness industry. We are committed to fostering these innovative ideas, boosting job growth, and to further strengthening the regional and statewide economies." Founded in 2017, RealEats delivers healthy, portion controlled, chef-cooked meals directly to homes across most of the United States. RealEats selected New York, and specifically Geneva, for its expansion, because of its central location in the world-renowned Finger Lakes agricultural region. Geneva is also home to the Center of Excellence in Food and Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech - the first of its kind facility which pulls together multiple partners to catalyze business development in New York's agriculture and food industries. Dan Wise, Company President & CEO said, "We are beyond fortunate to have found a home in the Finger Lakes, where all the real food is. I could not have envisioned that an idea to solve my family's dinner dilemma would become an important public-private partnership dedicated to building a better food future. We are sincerely grateful for the incredible assistance from Empire State Development, New York State, Ontario County, the City of Geneva, the Center of Excellence for Food & Agriculture at Cornell AgriTech, and the tremendous support of our investors, the New York State Common Retirement Fund, Hamilton Lane, Armory Square Ventures, Excell Partners and GNC, which have been vital for our expansion. This unique collaboration has enabled RealEats to create 160 new local jobs, make significant investments back into our community, and help people across the country enjoy the nutritional benefits of healthy real food." Empire State Development has previously supported RealEats continued growth in Geneva through a $500,000 grant, and a $2.45 million investment by Excell Partners, which manages the FLXFWD Venture Fund, supported by the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. Up to $3 million is also being provided through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for promised job commitments. The company also has the distinction of being the $1 million, round one winner of the state supported Grow-NY food and agriculture business competition which is dedicated to growing an enduring agrifood industry innovation cluster in the Finger Lakes, Central New York and in the Southern Tier regions of New York State. Additionally, through its In-State Private Equity Investment Program, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has invested $7.8 million in RealEats in five separate investments through its partners, Armory Square Ventures and Hamilton Lane. The state pension fund has invested $1.6 billion in more than 500 companies through this private equity program, generating a 10% internal rate of return since 2001. The New York State Common Retirement Fund partners with investment firms to invest in private New York companies. Empire State Development Commissioner and President & CEO Hope Knight said, "This innovative company's continued expansion in Ontario County is great news, especially given the boost to local farmers that comes from RealEats' ongoing commitment to use regionally-sourced foods in their chef-prepared meals. New York's agricultural industry is the 'secret sauce' of RealEats' success and our statewide economy, and there's no better place for the company to strengthen its 'roots' and 'grow' its business than in the beautiful, bountiful Finger Lakes region." Read the full press release here.