Centers for Advanced Technology and New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Spurred Significant Job Growth and Retention While Helping In-State Businesses Accelerate New Technologies
CAT Report Available Here; MEP Report Available Here
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that the Centers for Advanced Technology and New York Manufacturing Extension Partnerships generated $1.6 billion in total economic impact during their respective reporting windows. The state's CATs and NY MEPs are administered through ESD's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). Collectively, the 26 centers support workers and businesses in every region of the state and demonstrate the vitality of New York's investments in the innovation economy. Detailed findings of both the CAT and MEP reports are available via ESD’s website.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York State’s commitment to manufacturing and technology development continues to pay off. Not only are companies employing more New Yorkers, they’re also attracting additional public and private funding thanks to the direct support provided by NYSTAR’s programs."
NYSTAR Executive Director Ben Verschueren said, "Behind each new job — and each new technology — is a story about how an entrepreneur, or a business, had to overcome a challenge. NYSTAR exists to help these companies clear their hurdles so they can grow and thrive in New York. The reports published today represent the power of public-private collaboration, and the positive outcomes that can come from helping big thinkers bring their ideas to life."
NY MEP centers generated $1.25 billion in economic impact, supported the creation or retention of nearly 6,300 jobs, and served over 700 companies during the 2023 calendar year. NY MEP is a network of 11 organizations comprised of one statewide center and one center in each of New York’s 10 economic development regions. They provide growth and innovation services to small and mid-sized manufacturers, including process and quality improvements, product development, scale-up, technology acceleration, workforce development, sustainable manufacturing, marketing, and supply chain assistance.
NY MEP is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a public-private partnership with centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. NY MEP was awarded over $6 million in federal funds per year between 2016 and 2025, with approximately $3.7 million in state funding.
New York State's CATs generated $395 million in economic impact, supported the creation or retention of nearly 500 jobs, and served over 400 companies during the reporting period from July 2022 through June 2023. New York has 15 designated CATs at universities and affiliated research institutes statewide that specialize in technology fields of strategic importance to New York's economy, such as clean energy, biotechnology and nanomaterials. CATs play a critical role in spurring technology-based applied research and economic development in the state, promoting national and international research collaboration and innovation, and leveraging New York's research expertise and funding with investments from the federal government, foundations, businesses, venture capital firms and other entities.
Reports from other NYSTAR programs will be published throughout the year on a rolling basis. More information about NYSTAR, its network of more than 80 organizations, and resources available to New York State innovators, is available at esd.ny.gov/nystar.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development 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 I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
About ESD’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR)
Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation – known as NYSTAR – advances technology innovation and commercialization in New York State. NYSTAR offers programs that assist companies from start-up through maturity, leveraging the state’s unparalleled investment in world-class technology assets and expertise. It provides about $70 million annually in funding to support over 80 centers that provide direct assistance to New York State companies — a network of vital assets for enabling technology — and manufacturing-led growth and job creation. NYSTAR and its partners are proud to contribute to New York’s leadership in the global innovation economy. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov/nystar.
Contact:
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313