Empire State Development news and press releases

Photos Available Here Empire State Development (ESD) and the New York State Department of State (DOS) today announced the grand opening of SUNY Adirondack's new Culinary Arts Center on Hudson Avenue in downtown Glens Falls, Warren County. This is one of eight projects in the city supported by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Glens Falls was the Capital Region's Round I winner of the $10 million DRI competition. ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Workforce development is vital to economic growth in Upstate New York, and the Culinary Arts Center will engage the greater Glens Falls community by providing opportunities for education and training, while welcoming residents and visitors downtown with a great place to eat." New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, "Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative has paid dividends in delivering results for communities across the state. SUNY Adirondack’s Culinary Arts Center is a beautiful facility that embodies the spirit of the DRI – helping neighborhoods transform into places where young people want to live and work. We are proud to be a part of this debut and look forward to seeing the next generation of culinary masters in Glens Falls." The new 8,100 square foot facility represents a nearly $1.9 million investment that will allow the college to double its program enrollment, encouraging regional economic development through workforce training. The project was supported by $600,000 from the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding, and a $500,000 capital grant from ESD. Dr. Kristine Duffy, SUNY Adirondack President, said, "We are very excited to expand our program offerings and join the vibrancy of downtown Glens Falls. We will be training the region’s hospitality workforce and partnering with downtown businesses for internships, and local farmers and food purveyors to source our food and beverages. Having a downtown site will also allow us to offer unique food and beverage related events and other continuing education experiences for the community. Many thanks to the Governor, Empire State Development, and our donors for providing a significant portion of the needed funding to make this happen." The Center will educate students in all aspects of culinary arts. A teaching kitchen, complete with new equipment including gas stoves, a warming box and a walk-in cooler, will enable hands-on demonstrations. Seasoned, a 100-seat student-run restaurant, is scheduled to open in October and will provide firsthand experience in all facets of kitchen and dining management. A bake shop will offer breads, bagels, cakes, pies and cookies, and a gluten-free kitchen will be available to support a growing need for alternative baked goods. Warren County Economic Development Corporation President Edward Bartholomew said, "The relocation of SUNY Adirondack's Culinary School to downtown Glens Falls is the beginning of a new chapter of connectivity between the college, its students and the City. We are very grateful for the continued support and commitment by Governor Cuomo, Empire State Development, the Department of State and Senator Little for funding this project through the Glens Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative." In August of 2016, New York State announced that the city of Glens Falls was selected as the region's first round winner of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Other projects selected to reinvigorate the city's downtown area include $5 million to build the Market on South Street, which will include space for a Farmers' Market, retail space and an incubator/test kitchen; $1.5 million for streetscape and infrastructure improvements; and $1.2 million to redevelop four land parcels in a key city intersection into mixed-use buildings, a pocket park and surface parking. Senator Betty Little said, "SUNY Adirondack's new Culinary Arts Center brings a vibrant presence to downtown. The students add an energetic dynamic and I think a lot of people, including me, will enjoy being part of a dining experience that is also a learning experience." Assemblyman Dan Stec said, "Educational opportunities are a key to achieving success. There’s no better way to learn than through hands on experience and this facility will provide more students at SUNY Adirondack with exactly that opportunity." Ronald F. Conover, Warren County Board of Supervisors Chair, said, "The new SUNY Adirondack Culinary Arts school is a welcome addition to downtown Glens Falls. The new facility will not only train the next generation of chefs and restauranteurs, but it provides another great dining option for our community. I congratulate the college's faculty and staff and thank New York State for supporting this project." Glens Falls Mayor Daniel L. Hall said, "Thanks to the DRI award and help from Empire State Development, we're able to bring SUNY Adirondack's Culinary Arts Center downtown to a beautiful new building at 14 Hudson. Bringing the students from the college downtown helps with our vision of revitalization. Thank you to Governor Cuomo and Senator Little for their help with this exciting venture."   Contacts: Adam Ostrowski (ESD) | [email protected] | (518) 292-5148 | (800) 260-7313 Lee Park (DOS) | [email protected] | (518) 486-9846

Investments Will Be Funded through "Southern Tier Soaring" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 32 projects have been awarded funding through the $20 million Greater Binghamton Fund. The initiative, first announced by the Governor in August of 2017, will facilitate key economic development projects in Binghamton, Johnson City and Endicott as outlined in the Southern Tier Soaring Upstate Revitalization Initiative plan. The Greater Binghamton Fund aims to transform targeted urban centers, or "iDistricts," into communities where the next generation of workers want to live, work, and play. The fund will support innovative and creative projects, including mixed-use and mixed-income developments, private retail and commercial development, and smart growth technologies will be implemented through infrastructure and streetscape improvements. "The Greater Binghamton Fund is a game changer for the entire region, providing opportunities for development and revitalization," Governor Cuomo said. "It will help create an environment for businesses to expand and grow and attract top notch employees, supporting the vitality of the Southern Tier as it continues to soar." "The Greater Binghamton Fund is leveraging significant private investment to fund transformative projects in Binghamton, Endicott, and Johnson City," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who made today's announcement. "Upstate New York is moving forward like never before because of our unprecedented focus on economic development and job creation. This fund supports new jobs, new affordable housing, and streetscape improvements to continue the revitalization of the Southern Tier." Read the full press release here. 

New Partnership to Develop State-of-the-Art Research Program and Platform to Detect, Treat and Prevent the Spread of Infectious Disease Governor Cuomo today announced a groundbreaking partnership between ILÚM Health Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck & Co, OpGen, and the New York State Department of Health to develop a state-of-the-art research program to detect, track and manage antimicrobial-resistant infections at healthcare institutions statewide. ILÚM will partner with the Wadsworth Center and DOH to develop an Infectious Disease Digital Health & Precision Medicine Platform, connecting healthcare institutions to DOH to better track and prevent the spread of infectious disease. "By investing in public health institutions and innovative research, we are working to protect New Yorkers against harmful infectious diseases while cementing our status as a leader in the growing life sciences sector" Governor Cuomo said. "This groundbreaking partnership will create new, cutting-edge tools to bring life-changing discoveries out of the lab and into the world, moving our economy forward and creating a stronger, healthier New York for all." "Through public-private partnerships and investments in advanced research, New York State is working to help curb the spread of infectious diseases," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This new partnership will make significant strides in detecting and managing infections, helping to ensure the health and safety of New Yorkers. ILÚM Health Solutions' relocation to the Capital Region will also further our efforts to combat infectious disease and create new opportunities and jobs in the area." Read the full press release here. 

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the panel of finals judges which will determine the prize money for the fifth annual 43North startup competition. The esteemed group of judges will evaluate pitches from 10 finalists on stage in front of a live audience at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo on Thursday, October 5 at 6 p.m. The judges will award one top startup 43North’s $1 million grand prize with seven other competitors receiving $500,000 prizes. “The panel of talented judges will bring entrepreneurial expertise in selecting the next round of winners for 43North, which in just a few years has successfully worked to make Western New York a national entrepreneurial hot spot by attracting top-notch startups and providing them with the support they need to stay and grow their businesses in the region,” said Howard Zemsky, President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development. 43North is part of the visionary Buffalo Billion initiative, operating through grants from Empire State Development and the New York Power Authority, along with the support of several sponsors. As of September 2018, 43North’s portfolio of 37 companies has achieved a combined $108 million in outside investment, and conservative estimates place the portfolio’s total valuation at $332 million, an increase of over $300 million since 43North’s inception in 2014. These start-ups are collectively responsible for over 250 full-time jobs based in Western New York, with new hires added nearly every day. “The 43North business competition continues to develop into a premier, high-impact economic development driver for Buffalo and Western New York,” said John R. Koelmel, New York Power Authority chairman and Buffalo resident. “The strength and quality of the initiative is again evident, not only in the finalist companies, but also in the incredible talents and resumes of these judges. I’m excited to see this year’s competition and for more innovative entrepreneurs to have the opportunity to become our region’s next success story.” 43North’s Finals judging is broken down into two rounds. The morning qualifying round is general admission and the public is welcome to come and go throughout the day. Tickets for the evening round are also free but seating should be reserved at 43North.org. 43North Finals qualifying round with 18 finalists competing will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Buffalo. 43North Finals million-dollar round and awards celebration will follow from 6-9 p.m. At that time 43North's top 10 finalists will pitch live onstage for either the $1 million grand prize, or one of 43North's seven $500,000 prizes. In addition to cash, 43North winners receive free incubator space in 43North’s incubator on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, guidance from experienced mentors in their field, and access to other business incentive programs. 43North President Alex Gress will serve as the master of ceremonies during the 43North finals. “I’m thrilled to host the 43North Finals this year. I was in the audience for the 43North Finals in 2017 and it’s been amazing to me what a journey the last year has been,” said Gress.  “I can’t wait to get on stage October 3 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center and celebrate a great night for the Buffalo startup ecosystem.” The 2018 43North Finals judges are: Aashish Tripathi Aashish joined Amazon in 2013, and is the co-founder and Head of Business for Amazon Launchpad. Prior to joining Amazon, Aashish was VP of Sales and Operations at the startup Bellycard, where he helped raise over $20M in funding and expanded the company from 40 to 150 employees. Before joining Bellycard, Aashish spent 6 years at eBay, where he conceptualized, built, and managed the Top Seller Account Management program. Arturo Nuñez Arturo is the founder of AIE Creative, a company that provides immersive experiences to a highly curated selection of brands looking for unique ways to connect with diverse customers. He was previously CMO for Latin America for Apple. He was responsible for marketing communications, corporate communications, product marketing, education content, enterprise marketing, and developer relations across all 38 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with special focus on Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile. Chris Heivly Chris Heivly is one of the nation’s leading experts in how to turn startups into multimillion-dollar companies and has been dubbed the “The Startup Whisperer.” Heivly has worked at the highest levels for some of the world’s most recognized brands, including MapQuest, which was sold to AOL for $1.2 billion; Rand McNally, the world’s largest map publisher; and Accenture, the largest multinational management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company on the planet. Deborah Quazzo Deborah is the Managing Partner of GSV AcceleraTE, a venture capital fund investing in exceptional entrepreneurs and their companies in the $75B education and talent technology sector. She is also the Co-founder and Managing Partner of the ASU GSV Summit and Founder and Senior Advisor of GSV Advisors. Now in its 10th year, the ASU GSV Summit celebrates innovation across the global “pre-K to gray” learning and talent landscape and attracts over 4,000 attendees. Mahala Burn, PhD Mahala holds global responsibility for new technology scouting and strategic financing activities at bioMérieux. She leverages her background as a doctoral-level cell biologist, a strategy consultant, and an operational leader to seek and enable cutting-edge technology to save the lives of critical care patients. Prior to her role at bioMérieux, Mahala led operations as the Life Sciences Practice Director at EY-Parthenon, a top 10 firm that is the global strategy consulting arm of Ernst & Young. Rochelle Stewart Rochelle currently serves as an Advisor for the Morgan Stanley Multi-Cultural Innovation Lab and is the Founding Partner of 3C Partners, an advisory and consulting business that works with venture capital and startup clients on marketing, brand, and business growth strategy. She began her career at UBS and has held positions at Brightwood Capital, L’Oreal, POPSUGAR, and Conde Nast, where she helped drive company-wide transformation across the portfolio of 20+ brands. Woody Benson Considered a business partner and company builder by his CEOs, Woody has spent half of his 35-year tech career on the operational side (Apple Computer, Sony Corporation, Lotus Development, Shiva Corporation, and MCK Communications) and the other half on the investing side (Lazard Technology Partners, Prism VentureWorks, and now LaunchCapital). He was also named Mass Telecom CEO of the Year and a Top 50 VC by AlwaysOn Media. About 43North 43North is the $5 million startup competition, awarding cash prizes to some of the best entrepreneurs and startups from around the world. 43North winners also receive free incubator space in Buffalo for one year, guidance from mentors in related fields, and access to other business incentive programs such as START-UP NY. 43North operates through the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion initiative and grants from Empire State Development and the New York Power Authority. Additional support comes from several other sponsors. For more information about 43North, visit www.43north.org.         Contact: Pamm Lent (ESD) |[email protected] | (716) 846-8309 | (800) 260-7313 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313