Governor Hochul Announces Empire State Development's Regional Western New York Office $25 Million Winner of Federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge
September 2, 2022
Winning Plan Will Grow Advanced Manufacturing Workforce, Innovation and Infrastructure Throughout the Regional Ecosystem
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State's Empire State Development Western New York Regional Office has been awarded $25 million from the federal Build Back Better Challenge, the U.S. Economic Development Administration's marquee program under the American Rescue Plan. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge provides transformative investments to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, all while embracing economic equity, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness globally. New York State's winning application will develop or scale advanced manufacturing, develop and train the workforce of today, and build resilient economies for the future.
"Buffalo is a big winner in President Biden's Build Back Better Challenge, which will provide investments that will jump start specific sectors targeted in the winning regions," Governor Hochul said. "This $25 million award will fund businesses throughout Buffalo, spurring higher-paying jobs and economic growth, and innovative entrepreneurship for Buffalonians. Congratulations to the winning communities and I look forward to seeing them take their projects to the next level."
Empire State Development's Western New York Regional Office & Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNY REDC) in partnership with University at Buffalo Regional Institute (UBRI) will implement this winning proposal which includes projects that will scale up existing advanced manufacturing strategies through projects that will spark innovation, advance inclusive workforce development, and develop needed infrastructure. Partners that were awarded by EDA include Buffalo Urban Development Corporation; Buffalo Manufacturing Works; and Goodwill of WNY.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Western New York will benefit from transformational investments that will develop and strengthen vital industry clusters. Combined with State matching funds, we will be able to train the workforce of today and strengthen the economies of the winning regions."