As part of Round VI of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) was recently named a “Top Performer” and awarded $83.3 million to support 105 projects. The announcement, which supports projects in Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties, was made Thursday, December 8, in Albany. Through six rounds of the REDC competition, the Mid-Hudson REDC has delivered $475.9 million for 469 projects.
“We were gratified to learn that the Mid-Hudson had been named a top-performer in REDC Round 6, and that so many of our priority projects would move forward as a result of targeted State investment,” said Mid-Hudson REDC Co-chairs Leonard S. Schleifer, MD, Ph.D., Founder, President and CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Dennis Murray, President Emeritus and Professor of Public Policy at Marist College. “Our Council worked hard to develop a robust pipeline of strategy-aligned projects in industries including advanced manufacturing, food & beverage, and tourism, and New York State obviously took our recommendations very seriously. As these projects move forward, we are confident that they will have a transformational impact on our economy, create thousands of jobs, spur additional investment in our downtowns, and ensure that the Mid-Hudson Region remains a great place to live, work, and play.”
The REDC process has transformed government’s approach to economic development in New York State, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Since 2011, the first year of the initiative, over $4.6 billion has been awarded to more than 5,200 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 210,000 jobs statewide.
On Thursday, more than $700 million in economic and community development funding was awarded through Round VI of the REDC initiative.
During Round VI, members from the 10 Regional Councils traveled to Albany to make in-person presentations of their proposals to the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT). Over the course of two days, the SIAT, which is composed of state agency commissioners and policy experts, heard from each of the Regional Councils directly, reviewed the progress being made on projects that have previously received state funding, and assessed the regions’ strategic plan implementations and proposals for funding in 2016.
This year, all 10 REDCs competed for designation as a “Top Performer.” As a Top Performer, the Mid-Hudson REDC will receive up to $25 million in Empire State Development grant funding – as part of the overall award of $83.3 million – to support priority projects. Additionally, each region is eligible for up to $15 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to help attract and grow businesses in the region.
The following Mid-Hudson projects are highlights of priority projects awarded funding in Round Six:
$3 Million to support LEGOLAND – Orange County
LEGOLAND will consist of a theme park and resort in the Town of Goshen. The park will include rides and attractions, an aquarium, theaters, educational facilities, restaurants, a hotel and various facilities including offices and staff areas as well as associated parking and drainage facilities. Educational facilities and programs are also included to attract strong school visitation.
$2.25 Million to support Star Kay White’s expansion of manufacturing operations – Orange County
Star Kay White, a 126 year old New York State company, is building a new manufacturing facility in the Warwick Valley Office and Technology Park. The project will upgrade their infrastructure, technology and equipment, making their manufacturing processes more efficient and better able to meet their customer's needs.
$1 Million to support RUPCO's Stockade Works Project in Kingston – Ulster County
RUPCO, Inc.'s planned redevelopment of a defunct factory in Kingston, Ulster County, will allow the site to be repurposed for an anchor tenant in the film and television industry. Included will be training space for film and TV production; a post-production studio, and a maker's space for entrepreneurs.
$750,000 to support the Star Estate Distillery in West Park – Ulster County
The Star Estate Development Group will open an environmentally friendly craft distillery, boutique hotel/restaurant, event space and small farm in West Park, NY. The Star Estate will be located on an iconic 27-acre Hudson Riverfront property, with both land and water access that has been used as a monastery and school for the past 150 years.
$500,000 to support the Sing Sing Prison Museum – Westchester County
The Sing Sing Historic Prison Museum will build a first-rate educational and historical museum at the site of the existing operating correctional facility, using the 1936 Prison Power House to house the museum, with access to the original 1825 Cellblock.
$2.4 Million to support Phase 4 of the Sawmill River Daylighting – Westchester County
The City of Yonkers is revitalizing a low-income, distressed area in the heart of the city’s downtown and unearthing the Sawmill River. Phase 4 will daylight the river at a parking lot known as Chicken Island and include a five-acre redevelopment site envisioned partly as a government center.
$2 Million to support the Poughkeepsie Landing Waterfront Redevelopment – Dutchess County
Poughkeepsie Waterfront Development LLC (PWD) is redeveloping a 14-acre parcel along the southern Hudson River waterfront in the City of Poughkeepsie. The mixed-use development will include apartments, shops, restaurants, a marina, a Hudson River Interpretive Center, and a connection to the Dutchess Rail Trail.
$1 Million for Urban Electric Power’s Energy Storage Systems Manufacturing Facility – Rockland County
Urban Electric Power builds rechargeable, non-toxic manganese dioxide batteries and will create 76 jobs in an expanded manufacturing facility at the former Pfizer Campus in Pearl River. UEP uses battery technology, patented by the CUNY Energy Institute, through an exclusive license. The batteries it manufactures do not contain lead or other heavy metals, and are suited for solar support and reliable power back-up.
A full list of the 2016 REDC awards is available at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
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 six rounds of the REDC process, more than $4.6 billion has been awarded to more than 5,200 job creation and community development projects consistent with each regions strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 210,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
Contact:
Jonah Bruno | [email protected] | (212) 803-3740
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