Empire State Development news and press releases

The Empire State Development (ESD) Board of Directors met today and authorized ESD to move forward with the East Side Commercial District Program, a new initiative for the City of Buffalo as part of Governor Cuomo’s previously announced $50 million East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund (ESCEDF). The program will provide $2 million in funding to four business districts for building renovations for small businesses in some of the East Side’s most vital commercial corridors. Funding will help to revive traditional main streets and commercial corridors through the preservation of historic buildings, funding of capital improvements in neighborhood assets, and expansion of commercial opportunities in these neighborhoods. Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “With this significant investment in Buffalo’s East Side, we are revitalizing businesses in underserved neighborhoods, adding to the city’s overall livability, vitality and character and inviting the East Side to join in the economic recovery happening across Western New York.” "Since the launch of the Buffalo Billion, we have made a commitment to ensure every neighborhood takes part in Buffalo's renaissance," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This funding will jump-start ‎critical projects across the East Side to improve walkability and quality of life. For generations, we saw neglect and disinvestment in areas across the city. Today, we are changing that trajectory and building a brighter future." The Governor’s Buffalo Billion 2 program focuses on ensuring that all Western New Yorkers have an improved quality of life, and includes programs targeted at revitalization in the City’s most underserved neighborhoods. As part of this strategy, Governor Cuomo invested $60 million in Buffalo’s East Side, of which $50 million is targeted towards making transformational capital investments in nine investment areas along four East Side Commercial Corridors – Michigan, Jefferson, Fillmore, and Bailey avenues. ESD is establishing this new $2 million Commercial Districts program to expand neighborhood-serving businesses, including retail, restaurants, and other services; and increase mixed-use opportunities along strong commercial districts along Jefferson, Fillmore, and Bailey Avenues.  ESD will partner with non-profits who have successfully implemented similar programs in the past in each of these corridors to administer the program.    The ESCDP, which will be more responsive to community and business-owner needs than other existing “Main Streets Initiatives” will provide up to $500,000 each in funding for exterior and interior building renovations in the following four neighborhoods, which were selected because they represent traditional mixed-use commercial districts and there is demand from building owners: Kensington-Bailey, administered by the University District Community Development Association Jefferson Avenue, administered by Citizens Alliance, Inc. in partnership with the Black Chamber of Commerce MLK Park District and Broadway-Fillmore District, both administered by Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services   The City of Buffalo's East Side, which comprises more than 40 percent of the City's total land area, over 40 percent of total residents, and about 30 percent of total jobs and businesses, has not been on par with the rest of the City throughout Buffalo's revitalization. As part of the effort to improve the economic future of the East Side, ESD led community outreach meetings on each of the four corridors. The East Side Commercial District Program was developed as a result of the critical information gathered from community engagement. The East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund booklet is available Here About Empire State Development Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). 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 NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. Contacts: Pamm Lent (Governor’s office) | [email protected] | 716-846-8309 Laura Magee (ESD) | [email protected] | 716-846-8239

West Water Street Mixed-Use Development Now Officially Open for Business in Downtown Elmira Investment in Downtown Revitalization is Important Component of "Southern Tier Soaring," The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the City of Elmira has officially opened the doors on this centerpiece project of its Downtown Revitalization Initiative effort. Developer Park Grove Realty constructed a 65,000 square-foot, mixed-use development at 100 West Water Street downtown. The $14 million project included commercial and retail space and features 51 units of market-rate housing units, all of which are occupied. The West Water Street Project will also soon be home to a new coffee shop which will be run by Capabilities, an organization that empowers and assists people with disabilities "As we focus on reenergizing Elmira's city center, the West Water Street project will help ensure that the Southern Tier continues to soar, laying the foundation for future growth and development across the entire region," Governor Cuomo said. "Today's ribbon cutting is just another testament that our Downtown Revitalization Initiative is working to boost local economies all across the state." "Downtown Elmira is rich in culture and history, and we are building the momentum of excitement, growth, and prosperity in the area," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "I was proud to announce Elmira as a Downtown Revitalization Initiative award winner, along with the winning projects as part of the DRI and return again today to mark the opening of the West Water Street development. The project added 51 market-rate apartments, which are already fully occupied, along with new businesses in commercial and retail space. The DRI is helping to make Elmira's downtown more accessible and business-friendly, while increasing the use of the Chemung waterfront to enhance quality of life and strengthen the economy." Read the full press release here. 

Teams from Across the U.S. are in Buffalo for a Chance to Win a $100,000 Prize for Best Submission Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the finalists for "Aim for the Sky: Competition to Re-Imagine the Buffalo Skyway Corridor."  Nine finalist teams from across the United States will pitch their ideas in front of a live audience and judging panel tomorrow as they compete for a $100,000 award for the competition's winning idea. Second place will be awarded $50,000 and third place will be awarded $25,000. The Buffalo Skyway Corridor Competition has challenged the nation's top urban designers, economists, planners and architects to reimagine the corridor - stretching four miles from downtown to Lackawanna - while also building on the investment and momentum that has transformed the city in recent years.    "These nine teams presented the best and most innovative ideas for reimagining the Buffalo Skyway Corridor to improve access to the thriving waterfront and help ensure the region's economic arrows continue pointing in the right direction," Governor Cuomo said. "This project builds on our historic investments in Buffalo, and I look forward to hearing how a new vision for the Skyway will transform the Queen City and support its growing economy." "As our waterfront transformation continues in Buffalo, we need bold ideas for the future of the skyway corridor," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. "To meet the transformation needs of today and tomorrow, we are reimagining the skyway and gathering new and innovative ideas from around the country. I congratulate the finalists for their hard work and creative vision that will help to advance the momentum of progress in Buffalo and the entire Western New York region." Read the full press release here.