Empire State Development news and press releases

Program Promotes Revitalization of Communities by Redeveloping or Eliminating Blighted Structures Letters of Intent are Due by November 30; Applications Available Here Traducción al español Governor Kathy Hochul today announced today that the second round of Restore New York grant program applications are now open. The $250 million program encourages community development and neighborhood growth through the elimination and redevelopment of blighted structures. This round of funding makes $150 million in grants available to municipalities to support projects that focus on demolishing, rehabilitating and restoring residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings. The program, administered by Empire State Development, is designed to help local governments revitalize their communities and encourage commercial investment, improve the local housing stock, put properties back on the tax rolls, and increase the local tax base. Letters of intent are due by November 30, and applications for the second round are available here. "Revitalizing our communities starts with investing in the historic buildings that have long formed the backbone and character of our neighborhoods," Governor Hochul said. "Restore New York funding gives localities the resources to transform abandoned and neglected properties into modern, 21st century buildings. By helping to rebuild and strengthen communities across the state, we will stimulate local economies and continue to build back New York better and stronger." The goal of Restore New York is to help attract residents and businesses by redeveloping residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. Each project should align with the regional strategic plan of the Regional Economic Development Council and projects should be either architecturally consistent with nearby and adjacent properties or consistent with the municipality's local revitalization or urban development plan. Funding can be used for vacant, abandoned, condemned or surplus buildings and these properties can be demolished, deconstructed, rehabilitated or reconstructed. Emphasis will be placed on projects in economically distressed communities, projects that leverage other state or federal redevelopment funds and the project's feasibility and readiness. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns, and villages within New York State based on the following criteria: Cities over 100,000 in population may apply for up to $5 million for one project. However, cities of over one million in population and counties therein must apply for projects in a distressed area of the city Cities and villages with populations between 40,000 and 99,999 may apply for one project up to $3 million All other municipalities may apply for one project up to $2 million Empire State Development may grant a limited number of special awards. Municipalities with populations of 100,000 or less and counties with populations of 400,000 or less may apply for an additional $10 million to put toward a second separate project OR toward part of a larger project in addition to the funding limits listed above. Special projects are where the property causes severe economic injury to the community, leaving a highly visible and blighted property or properties in the central business district of a highly or moderately distressed community which has a depressing effect on the overall economic development potential of the community. An intent to apply form must be received by ESD by Wednesday, November 30 and applications are due by January 27, 2023. For more detailed information on the program and requirements visit https://esd.ny.gov/restore-new-york. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Restore New York gives municipalities the support they need to create real change in their communities, especially downtown centers. Revitalizing and rehabilitating older buildings has a way of unveiling a neighborhood's former charm and future potential, and though Restore New York, localities have a real opportunity to transform their community and generate new economic opportunities." Read the full press release here.

10,000 Square Feet of New Lab Space to Support Early-and Mid-Stage Life Sciences Companies State Investment of $1.5 Million Enhances Growing Life Sciences Industry in New York City Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Harlem Biospace will open its second incubator space in the Mink Building at 1361 Amsterdam Avenue in West Harlem's Factory District. Harlem Biospace is a biotech incubator that offers affordable shared wet lab space for early-stage small and mid-sized life science companies. The facility will help fulfill a need for lab space for biotech companies with growing teams and for those graduating from shared spaces and facilities. The Manhattanville Factory District is a 1.2mm rsf master-planned innovation campus developed by the Janus Property Company.  "With this expansion, Harlem Biospace is positioning the community as a world-class destination for researchers and businesses in the life sciences industry," Governor Hochul said. "We are making Harlem a hub for scientific innovation, and my administration remains committed to supporting projects like this to bring the jobs of tomorrow to our great state." Harlem Biospace's first incubator space is in the Sweets Building in the Factory District. This venture will result in a 10,250 square foot step-out graduation incubator lab for approximately 12-15 companies that are too large for typical lab incubators, but too small to lease a private commercial lab. It will have a total capacity of up to 210 researchers. The offices and lab space will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities with access to equipment and resources, including incubators, centrifuges and biosafety cabinets and biohazardous and chemical waste disposal. The project also includes 11,000 square feet of space for a life science anchor tenant, currently Volastra Therapeutics, a New York-based drug discovery and therapeutics company pioneering novel approaches to treating cancer. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to make strategic investments to enhance and grow the life sciences and biotech ecosystem in New York City. Smart investments that support groundbreaking companies will bolster the workforce of tomorrow and strengthen New York's position as a leader in scientific advancements." Recognizing the importance of supporting the growing life sciences industry in New York State, this project was recommended by the New York City Regional Economic Development Council and awarded a $1.5 million grant from Empire State Development. This project aligns with the Regional Economic Development Council's regional plan to support growing life-science companies and bolster the life sciences workforce in New York City. Read the full press release here.

Will Strengthen New York's Position as the Nation's Hub for Offshore Wind Empire State Development today announced that a $48 million federal grant has been awarded through the United States Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program to support the construction of Arthur Kill Terminal (AKT) as an offshore wind staging and assembly coastal seaport on Staten Island. AKT represents an unparalleled opportunity to meet the urgent need for suitable offshore wind ports on the East Coast and will be an important asset for offshore wind as the only non-bridge restricted offshore wind staging and assembly port in New York State. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Arthur Kill Terminal will help harness the potential of offshore wind to fuel our economy forward and meet Governor Hochul’s ambitious climate goals. New York will continue to strengthen our clean energy infrastructure, create green jobs for New Yorkers, and prepare the region for the economy of tomorrow.” New York State submitted an application to MARAD to secure funding to support the construction of the undeveloped 32-acre site into a purpose-built offshore wind port. AKT would allow for the in-port assembly of complete wind turbine towers, other tall offshore wind structures, and the use of the full array of offshore wind transport and installation vessels and methods, including Jones Act-compliant jack up wind turbine installation vessels and floating offshore wind turbines and foundations. AKT’s two-year construction phase is estimated to create 600 direct jobs with nearly $277 million in direct economic impact. When AKT is operational, it is estimated to create over 150 direct jobs with $102 million in direct economic impact annually. Construction of AKT is expected to begin late Fall 2023. Atlantic Offshore Terminals CEO Boone Davis said, "This grant is more than just a major milestone for Arthur Kill Terminal. It's confirmation that New York will be a national leader in our country's clean energy transition. We're grateful to Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, and all of our partners and supporters who have made this day possible. Achieving New York’s ambitious climate goals means developing an offshore wind supply chain on Staten Island and in other parts of the State, and we're proud to work with this administration to deliver the jobs, investment and expertise needed to do it." Arthur Kill Terminal is essential to enabling timely and cost-effective construction of offshore wind projects and would be a significant strategic asset for the offshore wind supply chain. By establishing Staten Island as a major supply chain hub for the assembly and deployment of offshore wind turbines and foundations on the East Coast, AKT will provide local and regional workers with unique opportunities to obtain safety training and hands-on experience with the handling, assembly and pre-commissioning of offshore wind components, with a significant amount of the work involved in constructing and operating the facility going to workers and businesses in historically disadvantaged and environmental justice communities. Today’s announcement bolsters efforts to build out New York’s green economy with clean energy infrastructure. AKT is a prime example of smart port infrastructure that will maximize domestic economic benefits and job creation from a once in a generation opportunity. New York State's offshore wind project pipeline currently has five projects in active development that totals more than 4,300 megawatts, will power more than 2.4 million New York homes, and is expected to bring a combined economic impact of $12.1 billion to the State. About Empire State Development  Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. Contact: Emily Mijatovic | [email protected] | (212) 803-3692

Expansion will Support Quantum Computing, AI, and Research and Development for the Semiconductor Industries Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the completion of SEEQC’s combined 12,000 square foot, newly renovated, multilayer, superconductive chip foundry and quantum product development and testing center in Elmsford, Westchester County.  SEEQC’s state-of-the-art facility will significantly expand its capacity to fabricate the world’s most complex superconductor electronics for quantum computing, AI, and sensor and detectors and to test and integrate superconductive chips into its state-of-the-art quantum computing systems.  “This is a great announcement for Westchester and for New York’s chip fabrication and quantum computing future,” said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. “SEEQC is uniquely positioned to make gains in the Quantum computing space which, in addition to being a job generator, has the potential to accelerate our progress in the fight against climate change.” ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “SeeQC’s new facility is great news for the Mid-Hudson Region and couldn’t be more-timely. Ensuring that we are investing in New York companies as we continue the national effort to reshore the semiconductor industry and its supply chain will only strengthen our economy, grow jobs and keep New Yorkers in New York.  This funding will go a long way to helping SEEQC make groundbreaking advancements in the quantum computing and keep New York State a leader in growing the semiconductor industry.” NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “We’re excited to support this impactful expansion project by Quantum Computing as it will bring new jobs and capital investments to Westchester County. The ReCharge NY program has been a catalyst for job creation and retention all across the state and this project is another example of how businesses can leverage the state’s low-cost hydropower to reduce operating costs so that they can stay and grow in New York.” “We are building a full stack, energy efficient and scalable quantum computing platform, and each design we create for a customer or partner requires the unique product development and test capabilities that can only be supported in a facility like ours,” said John Levy, CEO and co-founder of SEEQC. “Whether it’s Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) readout and control chips, classical superconducting co-processors, multi-chip modules or next generation qubits, we now have the capability of manufacturing and characterizing them all — we believe this capability is unmatched in the quantum computing ecosystem.” MHREDC Co-Chairs Dr. Marsha Gordon, President & CEO of The Business Council of Westchester and Dr. Kristine Young, president of SUNY Orange said, “The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council continues to pinpoint strategic investments that will help the state unleash the talent of our regional workforce and SEEQC’s expansion in Westchester County is a perfect example of investing in clusters that pay dividends back to the community.” The new and expanded facility houses a complete fabrication line for micromachined devices and thin filmed circuits, a clean room for wafer procession, photo our lithographic equipment, CAD tools and workstation, high speed and low noise test equipment, and electromagnetically shielded rooms for low noise measurements.  SEEQC purchased and installed new capital equipment for the existing manufacturing plant; acquired new test and measurement equipment for testing laboratories and design workstations and tools for a new superconducting integrated circuit design lab. The state-of -the-art foundry encompasses design, fabrication, packaging and testing of superconductive integrated circuits (ICs).   The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council recommended a $600,000 Empire State Development capital grant to support the expansion and renovation of SEEQC’s new 7,000 square foot chip foundry and associated costs of machinery and equipment. In addition, the New York Power Authority is supporting the expansion with 156 kilowatts of low-cost power from the ReCharge NY program. In exchange for state support, SEEQC has agreed to create 29 new jobs and retain 9 existing jobs at their Elmsford facility.  Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "As we enter a new era of tech industries, New York stands shovel-ready with the infrastructure and workforce necessary to forge the future. This ESD grant of $600K towards the $3 million SeeQC project in Elmsford is the latest economic win for our state, bringing jobs and growth to our communities. As we build on the momentum of the CHIPS and Science Act, along with our state Green CHIPS legislation, we are proudly ensuring that 21st century manufacturing will once again be made in New York." Assemblymember Thomas J. Abinanti said, “New York is leading the way to a better life for all Americans —partnering with the most technologically advanced companies to manufacture the elements needed for today’s and tomorrow’s state of the art computers. This partnership brings more jobs to our communities and attracts other similar companies.  I applaud the Hochul administration’s effort to keep New York moving forward.” Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Westchester is a home for all types of economic development – and this ribbon cutting is just more proof. The work done inside these walls will solidify our region and State as a leader in the quantum computing field while bringing even more good jobs to our county. I thank the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, ESD and SEEQC for their efforts to continue to build a better future for all who call New York, and Westchester, home.” Town of Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said, “We are thrilled that New York State is working with businesses like SEEQC. This company is developing the first digital quantum computing platform for global businesses.  This is the kind of company that will provide jobs and services that are needed in the future. We are proud that a world leader in commercial superconductive electronic solutions has chosen to make their home in Greenburgh and are grateful to the Empire State Development and to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and state leaders for their efforts helping to encourage the company to locate here in our town. We will do whatever we can to make this company feel proud of their decision to be part of the Greenburgh community.” Village of Elmsford Mayor Robert Williams said, “The Village of Elmsford is very excited to have SEEQC right in our back yard in the Town of Greenburgh. This newly renovated facility is an asset to both communities. During the renovation the project brought in many construction jobs and now that it is completed will bring in permanent jobs. It is an honor to have a company such as SEEQC doing such high-tech work here.  We are excited and can’t wait to see the great work coming out of the new facility. We congratulate CEO and Co-Founder John Levy and his company for the completed renovations and wish him much success.” About Empire State Development: Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State’s iconic tourism  brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.    About SEEQC.: SEEQC. is developing the first fully digital quantum computing platform for global businesses. SEEQC combines classical and quantum technologies to address the efficiency, stability and cost issues endemic to quantum computing systems. The company applies classical and quantum technology through digital readout and control technology and a unique chip-scale architecture. SEEQC quantum system provides the energy- and cost-efficiency, speed and digital control required to make quantum computing useful and bring the first commercially-scalable, problem-specific quantum computing applications to market. The company is one of the first companies to have built a superconductor multi-layer commercial chip foundry and through this experience has the infrastructure in place for design, testing and manufacturing of quantum-ready superconductors. SEEQC is a spin-out of HYPRES, the world’s leading developer of superconductor electronics. SEEQC. team of executives and scientists have deep expertise and experience in commercial superconductive computing solutions and quantum computing. SEEQC is based in Elmsford, NY, with facilities in London, UK, and Naples, Italy. Contact: Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | (518) 414-1087 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313