23.4 Million Will Support 30 Projects that Align with Region's Strategic Plan

Region Awarded Additional $32 Million for Transformative Projects Through Inaugural ACHIEVE Competition

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that the Mohawk Valley was awarded $55.4 million through Governor Kathy Hochul's 2025 Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Of this funding, $23.4 million will support 30 projects across six counties, leveraging nearly $223 million in additional public and private investments. The Mohawk Valley 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." 

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 the Mohawk Valley for coming up with a high impact, transformational project that will spur economic growth for years to come."

Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Larry Gilroy and Dr. Marion Terenzio said, "On behalf of the entire Regional Council, we are excited and grateful for the support from Governor Hochul, ESD and its state agency partners. We are also very proud that our 'Rooted in the Mohawk Valley' proposal was chosen among this year's ACHIEVE awardees. These collective successes reflect the council's continued efforts to leverage regional strengths, guided by our strategic plan, to generate new and sustainable economic growth throughout the Mohawk Valley." 

Projects awarded funding in the Mohawk Valley include: 

• City of Rome – $3.9 million Pro-Housing Supply Fund grant: The City, together with the not-for-profit Nascentia Health, will complete a significant infrastructure project to help develop "The Nascentia Neighborhood." The vision is to transform the historic Beeches Manor property into a vibrant aging-in-place community for seniors. The infrastructure project includes construction of new utilities, roads, sidewalks, grading, and stormwater drainage. The project will enable the development of 125 senior housing units, offering a mix of affordable rental and ownership options, and allow the possibility of future expansion on additional adjacent land.

• Munson-Williams-Proctor-Arts Institute – $800,000 Regional Council Capital Fund grant: Munson Museum of Art in Utica will redesign and repurpose their interior space to enhance engagement and accessibility. This renovation will create an expanded interactive gallery named the Art Odyssey, build a wellness room, construct all new accessible restrooms, and other essential infrastructure upgrades. By modernizing facilities while preserving the museum's welcoming, free-admission mission, the project will help Munson continue to serve as an accessible cultural anchor for community while meeting visitor expectations and operational needs.

• Custom Electronics, Inc. – $200,000 Regional Council Capital Fund grant: The company – a globally recognized manufacturer of specialized capacitors for military, commercial and industrial markets – will add a new electronic printed circuit board (PCB) assembly line in Oneonta. The implementation of an electronic PCB manufacturing lab addresses a critical regional need for advanced electronics fabrication capabilities to support local innovation, workforce development, and small-scale tech manufacturing.

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

The Mohawk Valley 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 Rooted in the Mohawk Valley ACHIEVE proposal was awarded $32 million for a transformational six-county plan that builds on the region’s tourism and agribusiness strengths to establish the Mohawk Valley as a model for rural resilience, regenerative enterprise, and community reinvestment. The proposal includes transformational anchor investments like Empire State Greenhouses and Hoshino Mineral Spa Resort, plus over 50 supporting projects. These projects provide the opportunity to advance the REDC’s strategic priorities through an innovative approach that combines tourism and agribusiness to cultivate the region’s deep agricultural legacy, while also creating thriving places where people want to live and visit.

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