More Than $26.4 Million Will Support 29 Projects that Align with Region's Strategic Plan

Region Awarded Additional $30 Million for Transformative Projects Through Inaugural ACHIEVE Competition

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Long Island was awarded $56.4 million through Governor Kathy Hochul's 2025 Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Of this funding, $26.4 million will support 29 projects across Nassau and Suffolk counties, leveraging $66.1 million in additional public and private investments. Long Island was also selected as one of four awardees for the inaugural $150 million Advancing Collaboration for High-impact Initiatives for Economic Visions & Expansion competition — or ACHIEVE competition — which empowered the REDCs to advance catalytic economic development projects. 

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Governor Hochul’s REDCs continue to recommend proposals that will create jobs and spur new growth through a locally focused, bottom-up strategy to economic development. By awarding state funding to projects that align with regional priorities, New York is investing in new ideas, new efforts and new developments to promote community growth throughout the state."

ESD Board Chair Kevin Law said, "From critical housing and infrastructure projects to Long Island’s selection for the inaugural ACHIEVE competition, these investments demonstrate the region’s capacity to deliver transformational, high-impact growth. With Governor Hochul’s support, Long Island is advancing projects that will drive innovation, create jobs, and establish the region as a national leader in emerging hard-tech industries."

Secretary of State and REDC Chair Walter T. Mosley said, "Capitalizing on the successful momentum of the Regional Economic Development Councils, Governor Hochul’s new ACHIEVE Initiative provided regions with the motivation to amplify their ideas with dramatic game changing projects. Congratulations to Long Island for coming up with a high impact, transformational project that will spur economic growth for years to come."

Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Linda Armyn and Dr. Kimberly Cline said, “We thank Governor Hochul for her strong commitment to Long Island and for recognizing the region’s potential for long-term growth and innovation. We are also grateful to our Council members and partners whose leadership and hard work continue to drive progress. These investments will strengthen our communities, support local businesses, and create new opportunities for Long Island residents."

Projects awarded funding on Long Island include:

• Town of East Hampton – $3.17 Million Pro-Housing Supply Fund grant: The Town will construct a new sanitary system and install new water and sewer lines to enable the development of 50 new housing units. The development will remain under ownership of the Housing Authority with the units available to rent for individuals in the community at 130% AMI. This project will provide much needed housing for year-round resident. Adding year-round housing for residents will reduce this volatility and increase local commerce.

• Village of Hempstead – $2.5 Million Pro-Housing Supply Fund grant: The Village will upgrade essential water and sewer mains in its downtown core to address service deficiencies and directly support the infrastructure requirements of two mixed-use developments totaling 342 housing units. Located near a train station and a bus terminal, these developments will provide new housing and job opportunities in a distressed community with a disproportionately high poverty rate.

• Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center, Inc. – $1.28 Million Regional Council Capital Fund grant: The Center is a privately owned not for profit, community-based organization that provides childcare and educational programming on its six-acre campus in Bridgehampton, Suffolk County. The Center will make investments to renovate and expand two underutilized buildings to enable them to add much needed new affordable childcare slots. This expansion will benefit the underserved children and marginalized families that live and work on the East End.

A full list of projects across all 10 regions is available here.

Long Island was also one of four regions awarded a combined $150 million based on their ACHIEVE proposals, which were reviewed by the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team comprised of members of the Governor's Cabinet.

The Long Island Regional Commercialization Corridor ACHIEVE proposal was awarded $30 million to enable Long Island to become a national leader in the commercialization of "hard-tech:" physical, science-based technologies such as advanced materials, aerospace and defense components and energy systems. Key regional stakeholders will partner to establish a commercialization corridor and leverage Long Island’s unique advantages for reindustrialization and builds on the region’s deep manufacturing expertise and the State’s growing momentum in hard-tech sectors, driven by investments in advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

About the Regional Economic Development Councils

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established 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. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

About Empire State Development

ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through ILOVENY. For more information, please visit ESD’s website here, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Contact:
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313