Empire State Development news and press releases

Investment in State-of-the-Art Company Complements "Finger Lakes Forward" - the Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that additive manufacturing systems company Evolve Additive Solutions has expanded operations in the Town of Brighton, Monroe County. The expansion at Evolve’s Metro Park location will allow the company to create close to 60 new jobs in the region over the next five years. Evolve, which is headquartered in Minnesota, operates its materials technology center in Brighton. The 15-person office is headed up by Kodak veteran Rich Allen, who outlined the benefits of growing the company’s high-tech operation locally, including the highly skilled talent pool that is readily available in the Finger Lakes region. "The Finger Lakes region is home to some of the most talent-rich tech companies in the industry," said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. "Supporting businesses like Evolve Additive Solutions will further support our efforts to grow the 21st century economy while creating good-paying jobs and generating new opportunities in the region.” Evolve is focusing on its additive manufacturing technology known as Selective Thermoplastic Electrophotographic Process (STEP) on products in the automotive, aerospace, medical and industrial markets.  Initially, the company plans to expand the manufacturing space at the Brighton facility by 7,000 square-feet with plans to add on another 13,000 square-feet over in the coming years. Supporting the growth of high-tech industries is an integral part of the regionally designed Finger Lakes Forward economic development plan. Founded in 2017, Evolve Additive Solutions’ recently raised $19 million in equity funding with the LEGO Brand Group and Stanley Black & Decker as the lead investors, with the dollars raised earmarked to commercialize STEP, hire new talent and expand facilities such as the office in Brighton.  STEP will sit alongside traditional manufacturing processes on the production floor such as injection molding and CNC and will provide organizations with another asset to get products to market faster, leverage for bridge manufacturing and low volume production runs for manufactured end-use parts.  Steve Chillscyzn, CEO of Evolve Additive Solutions, said "Our Brighton facility is key to our success and having a first-class facility to attract the best talent possible for materials and process development is essential.  We are extremely pleased that Empire State Development recognizes the opportunity our technology can offer to our future customers but also to are current and future employee base in the area." To facilitate Evolve Additive Solutions growth in the Finger Lakes region, Empire State Development has offered tax credits of up to $1 million through the Excelsior Tax Credit Program in exchange for job creation commitments. The company plans to invest $1.2 million to grow its local operation. Monroe County and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting with the project. Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs, Monroe Community College President Anne Kress and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “The Finger Lakes is home to some of the most talented tech companies in the industry, boosting the region's economy and attracting new businesses to the area. The council is committed to supporting innovative companies like Evolve Additive Solutions which are working to create new, good-paying jobs and continuing to move the Finger Lakes Forward." State Senator Joe Robach said, “As the State Senator representing the Brighton community, I welcome the expansion of Evolve Additive Solutions and the 60 jobs that it will create for our area.   I am proud to support the growth of high-tech companies like Evolve Additive Solutions and thank them for their investment into our region.” State Assembly Member Jamie Romeo said, “I am pleased that Evolve Additive Solutions is expanding in Brighton with the addition of 60 new, good-paying jobs.  Increasingly companies are coming to the realization that the Finger Lakes region is ideally situated for high-tech industries that want to expand, not only because of our willingness to invest in growth industries, but because of our highly skilled workforce.” Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "It is no secret that Monroe County is home to tremendous history and talent when it comes to innovation. As County Executive, I have worked hard to grow more jobs that put our tremendous local talent to good use. We are excited to welcome Evolve Additive Solutions as they join a community of other local tech businesses that bring one of a kind opportunities to families right here in Monroe County." Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle said, “We are excited to see the growth of Evolve Additive Solutions in Brighton. Brighton is a natural home for technology driven businesses like Evolve, because Evolve will be able to draw upon talent from the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College, all in close proximity. Brighton was ranked the No.1 place to live in New York in 2018, and we also expect that many of these new Evolve employees will choose Brighton has a place that they and their families can call home.” Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “Evolve Additive Solutions will expand its R&D operations in the Greater Rochester, NY region to leverage the highly skilled imaging and materials technology expertise available in our community.” For more Information about Evolve Additive Solutions, click here. Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward  Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in. Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here. ​   Contact: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | Shari.Voorhees-Vincent@esd.ny.gov | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | pressoffice@esd.ny.gov | (800) 260-7313

See Cataract Commons site map and project rendering here The USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) Board of Directors met today and approved the General Project Plan and a Construction Services contract for the Cataract Commons Civic Project, a proposed public open space facility or “commons” space located on Old Falls Street, in downtown Niagara Falls. The project will transform an empty parcel into a more usable and inviting outdoor facility that will have permanent structural seating and shade, as well as flexibility for hosting various events.  The scope of work includes earthwork, the installation of metal shade structures, planters, fabricated wood and metal marquee signage, concrete flatwork, a concrete amphitheater, landscaping and lighting. See site map and project rendering here.  “The parcel of land that will become ‘Cataract Commons’ is an important urban space that helps shape the visitor experience in downtown Niagara Falls,” said USAN Board of Directors Chairwoman Francine DelMonte. “As such, our investment in more permanent capital improvements is necessary for this focal point on Old Falls Street.” This project, located at the southeast corner of Rainbow Boulevard and Old Falls Street, is approximately 10,000 square feet and is in the former footprint of the Wintergarden.  Although relatively small and currently largely unimproved, it has provided a place for tourists to stop and take a break with their families. The project is expected to be complete in May 2020.   The USAN Board awarded a $1,067,469 construction contract for Cataract Commons to Scott Lawn Yard, a certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (WBE/DBE).  Scott Lawn Yard’s past projects have included rehabilitation work at the Niagara Falls Water Treatment Plant; converting a section of the former Robert Moses Parkway to pedestrian pathways; and a regionwide landscaping project for the state Department of Transportation. USAN had previously contracted with Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects, LLP, to develop final design and bid documents.  Funding for the Cataract Commons project comes from the Buffalo Billion II.  In other items, the USAN Directors took a number of administrative actions. The board approved USAN’s annual operating budget and annual capital expense authorization for fiscal year 2019-2020. The board also approved the operating and capital budgets for the Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls and Old Falls Street for calendar year 2019.  The Directors also authorized entering into an amendment to a funding agreement with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) related to the Niagara Gorge Corridor – Parkway Removal Project. The amendment allows for NYPA to provide an additional $530,000 to fund consultant costs related to design support and monitoring during the construction phase of the ongoing project to remove a two-mile segment of the former Robert Moses Parkway, now known as the Niagara Scenic Parkway, from Main Street to Findlay Drive. About USA Niagara Development Corporation USAN, a subsidiary of Empire State Development, is solely dedicated to the support and promotion of economic development initiatives in downtown Niagara Falls by leveraging private investment and encouraging growth and renewal of the tourism industry in the City of Niagara Falls.  For more information, visit https://esd.ny.gov/usa-niagara-development-corporation-6.   Contact: Pamm Lent | pamm.lent@esd.ny.gov | (716) 846-8309 | (800) 260-7313 Laura Magee | laura.magee@esd.ny.gov | (716) 846-8239 | (800) 260-7313

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Global NY will lead a trade mission to Israel from March 25-28, 2019. Global NY is New York’s gateway for both local businesses interested in exporting internationally and foreign businesses looking to invest in New York. The upcoming trade mission will strengthen economic ties with Israel by helping to increase exports and the number of businesses that export in New York State. Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Israel is known as the ‘Startup Nation’ and this upcoming trade mission presents a unique opportunity for New York State businesses to gain access to this major international hub of innovation and technology.” The trade mission includes stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Each participating company will receive a customized schedule of meetings with prospective customers and/or business partners and will benefit from group networking events. Eligible businesses can also receive reimbursement from Global NY’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) for travel and lodging expenses as well as the $1,000 trade mission fee. Participating businesses represent diverse sectors and regions from across the state, including optics and imaging companies from the Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley, advanced manufacturing companies from Long Island, Mid-Hudson and Western New York and a marketing firm from New York City. Several of the companies supply goods and services to the Aerospace/Defense/Homeland Security, alternative energy, life sciences, electronics and communications industries. STEP is a Global NY program that is funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the number of businesses entering the export market, and to increase the value of exports businesses are already producing. Grants are offered to qualifying small and medium-sized businesses for a range of purposes, including participation in foreign trade missions. Global NY organizes trade missions each year to help New York’s small to mid-sized companies export overseas as well as encourage foreign companies to invest and grow their businesses in the state. In 2018, Global NY led 37 companies on trade missions to Mexico, Germany, Canada and China. Israel is currently New York’s 5th largest export market and a key global hub for technology and innovation. The country’s GDP growth was 3.4 percent in 2017. Trade between the U.S. and Israel has increased eight-fold since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in 1985, leading to the elimination of virtually all trade tariffs. Companies interested in participating in future trade missions or the STEP program can contact Global NY at globalny@esd.ny.gov or 212-803-2300. To learn more about Global NY, click 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.     Contact: Jack Sterne | jonathan.sterne@esd.ny.gov | (212) 803-3764 Adam Kilduff | adam.kilduff@esd.ny.gov | (212) 803-3744 ESD Press Office | pressoffice@esd.ny.gov | (800) 260-7313