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Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Awarded $87.1 Million for 122 Projects

Projects That Will Move Forward As a Result of Round VIII of the Regional Council Initiative Include the Innovation Grand Street Project, the Research Institute for Brain & Body Health and Bread Alone’s Lake Katrine Bakery

A Full List of the 2018 REDC Awards is Available at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov

As part of Round VIII of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) was awarded $87.1 million for 122 projects that build on the region’s assets to invest in the future. The announcement, which supports projects in Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster Counties, was made Tuesday in Albany.  In the first eight rounds of the Regional Council initiative, the Mid-Hudson region has been awarded $647.8 million in state support for 809 projects across the region.

Established in 2011 as a centerpiece of the Governor’s strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils replaced the state’s old top-down approach to economic development with one that is community-based and performance-driven. The initiative empowers communities, business and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region's unique strengths and resources to create jobs, improve quality of life and grow the economy.

Donald P. Christian, SUNY New Paltz President and MHREDC Co-Chair, said, “The Mid-Hudson region is thrilled to have been selected as a Top Performer in Round VIII of the REDC Initiative, and we look forward to using the funds provided to foster innovative projects that deliver economic growth and job creation for the entire region.”

The following Mid-Hudson projects are highlights of projects awarded funding in Round VIII:

Orange County

  • $1.831 million to Orange County Community College Association to invest in Phase I of the Innovation Grand Street Project. The project involves the renovation of two vacant/underutilized buildings in the City of Newburgh's historic downtown district. The project will create space for training and programming that addresses specific needs for an educated workforce and encourages entrepreneurship in the region's growing industries along with collaborative partners and local businesses.

Sullivan County

  • $1 million to The Center for Discovery (TCFD) for the development of a new Research Institute for Brain & Body Health. This is part of a $4.8 million investment to transform a 164,000 square foot vacant commercial property in Rock Hill, located in the Town of Thompson, into a state-of-the-art bio-behavioral and healthcare facility including a Children's Specialty Hospital and special education school program. Six laboratories will allow for pioneering studies in Autism Spectrum Disorders, medical frailties, Alzheimer's and dementia and other chronic, complex conditions. 

Ulster County

  • $800,000 to Bread Alone to expand its Lake Katrine bakery. Bread Alone is a certified organic, values-driven bakery that has been operating in the Hudson Valley since 1983. The expansion will add 15,000 square feet and position the bakery to sell more of its organic breads to their growing customer base. The $4.4 million expansion will further increase Bread Alone's commitment to sustainable business operations, featuring LEED-certified construction and expanded use of renewable energy.

A full list of the 2018 REDC awards is available at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

This spring, Governor Cuomo launched Round VIII of the REDC.  During Round VIII, the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT), which is composed of state agency commissioners and members of the New York State Legislature, traveled to Rome, Rochester and White Plains to receive presentations on this year’s proposals from each of the ten Regional Councils directly and assessed the implementation of the regions’ strategic plans.

In 2018, all 10 REDCs competed for designation as a “Top Performer.”  Five Top Performers received up to $20 million in additional Empire State Development grant funding to support priority projects, with the remaining five regions receiving up to $10 million. Additionally, each region is eligible for up to $75 million in additional Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to help attract and grow businesses in the region.

Since 2011, the first year of the initiative, more than $6.1 billion has been awarded to more than 7.300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 230,000 jobs statewide.

To learn more about the MHREDC, visit https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/mid-hudson.

About the Regional Economic Development Councils

The Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative is a key component of Governor Cuomo's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop 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.

After eight rounds of the REDC process, more than $6.1 billion has been awarded to more than 7,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 230,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

 

 

Contact:

Adam Kilduff | [email protected] | 212-803-3744

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