Empire State Development public notices

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Finger Lakes Forward Investment Advances the Region's Successful Strategic Plan to Grow the Economy and Create New Opportunities Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Luminate NY—the world's largest business accelerator for startups that have optics, photonics and imaging (OPI) enabled applications—received 70 applications to compete for a spot in cohort II of the innovative program. With 30 percent of the applicants residing in countries outside of the United States, it’s clear that Luminate NY and the region is attracting global attention and building on its OPI heritage and reputation. Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Luminate NY’s second round reaffirms Rochester as the global leader in the photonics industry, supporting promising next-gen OPI companies that will help to drive innovation and regional economic growth.” Companies submitting applications come from Sweden, India, Canada, Australia, Russia, Israel, Portugal, China, Netherlands and New Zealand. Sixteen companies from New York State applied, with the remaining coming from U.S. cities including, Boston, San Francisco, Orlando, San Jose, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Fort Collins, Santa Clara, St. Louis, Durham, Columbus, Chicago, Providence, and Philadelphia. Funding for the $10 million accelerator is being provided through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative and is being administered by NextCorps. “The quality of the applicants for cohort II is very impressive and will surely result in a highly competitive Lightning Award event,” said Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Managing Director of Luminate NY. “We encourage people interested in what the program will bring to our region to attend this event.” In October, the program's management team and global advisory board will select 20 semi-finalists from the pool of applicants. Semi-finalists will then travel to Rochester to pitch their startups during Luminate NY’s Lightning Rounds, held on November 13th and 14th. Ten startups will then receive Lightning Awards during a ceremony at the Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum. The winning startups will become a participant in cohort II of Luminate NY, and will receive an initial investment of $100,000. Luminate NY’s cohort II will begin January 2019 at the newly renovated Sibley Building in Downtown Rochester.  The six-month program will help accelerate the commercialization of the most promising optics, photonics and imaging applications, using a rich ecosystem which includes the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, the Rochester Institute of Technology, AIM Photonics, and more than 100 area OPI companies. In June, the teams will compete for $2 million in follow-on funding. Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Monroe Community College President Anne Kress and Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President Bob Duffy said, "The council remains laser focused on supporting the growth of optics, photonics and imaging industries in the region. Cohort two of the innovative Luminate NY accelerator program will continue to support the high-growth potential of OPI start-ups and continue to move Finger Lakes Forward." In addition to funding and support, startups participating in Luminate NY receive industry attention.  In September, two companies from Luminate NY’s first cohort won GREAT Awards (Greater Rochester Excellence and Achievements in Technology). Intelon Optics won this year’s Emerging Tech Company, while Positive Science won in the “Tech for Good” category. Luminate NY builds on the federal Department of Defense led American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics, which is supported by a $250 million commitment from New York State. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is located in Rochester at the Eastman Business Park, and will be used to test, assemble and package chips that use photons in place of electrons for increased performance of semiconductor circuits. First announced by Governor Cuomo and Vice President Joe Biden in July 2015, AIM Photonics will help secure the Finger Lakes region and the nation's leadership in emerging technology research, development, and manufacturing.  Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle said, “Luminate New York continues to invest in the limitless potential and promise of OPI entrepreneurs who will further strengthen and propel our region’s growing economy.  These investments will yield the continued creation of secure, good paying jobs in every corner of our region, will further strengthen families, and place our community on more stable economic footing.” Senator Joe Robach said, "Luminate NY is an exciting opportunity and with 70 applicants from across the world for Round Two, companies continue to understand that Rochester is on the forefront of the development of innovative technology in the fields of optics, photonics and imaging, with the potential to revolutionize how we live our lives. The results of this program will create opportunities and grow jobs right here in our community while developing the next generation of innovation." Mayor Lovely Warren said, “Luminate NY’s ability to attract 70 high-quality applications from around the world for its second round of competition demonstrates the wisdom of Governor Cuomo's decision to locate this high-tech business incubator in Rochester and help position our region as the photonics and optics capital of the world. Luminate NY gives business leaders a platform to bring their innovative ideas to the marketplace, which accelerates the growth of Rochester's knowledge economy. I remain grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for bringing these 21st century job creators to Rochester through Finger Lakes Forward and helping us achieve our goals of creating more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens.” For more information about Luminate NY, 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

Empire State Development (ESD) and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets today announced $1 million in funding is available to assist early-stage farmers through the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund. The program, now in its fifth year, promotes growth and development in the state's agriculture industry. To date, $3.27 million has been awarded to nearly 90 farms throughout New York State to expand their operations and improve their profitability. ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Agriculture is vital to New York State's economy, and the New Farmers Grant Fund supports our early stage farmers by promoting projects that increase overall farm profitability and ensure sustainability of farming operations." State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "The New Farmers Grant Fund encourages young people and those seeking second careers to pursue a livelihood that is not always easy but always rewarding. We thank Governor Cuomo and the legislature for their continued support of our state’s agricultural economy through programs like these, which give farmers the resources they need to grow or expand their operations and support our state’s long tradition of farming, which is essential to our health, economy and quality of life." The $1 million New Farmers Grant Fund will provide grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. To qualify, all farm business owners must be within the first ten years of having an ownership interest in any farm business, and the farm must have a minimum of $10,000 in income from sales of products grown or raised on the farm. Eligible project costs include the purchase of machinery, equipment, supplies, and the construction or improvement of agricultural structures. Applications and guidelines for the New Farmers Grant Fund are available online. The deadline for submission is January 25, 2019.  New farmers are a critical piece of the overall agricultural landscape in the State and the future of the industry. To further support the State’s new and beginning farmers, the Department of Agriculture & Markets launched a New and Beginning Farmer One Stop Shop in 2017. The web-based resource helps new and beginning farmers connect to the resources and services that can help their businesses thrive. Information can be found online here. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Patty Ritchie said, “With every new farmer we can attract to our state, we are ensuring the future of New York’s leading industry and allowing families a better opportunity to have local, farm-fresh foods on their table. This program has been key in helping people just starting out in the agriculture industry to begin their careers. I look forward to seeing how this next round of grants builds on that momentum and boosts New York’s farming economy as a whole.”." Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Bill Magee said, "Qualifying farmers can benefit greatly from the New Farmers Grant Fund as they seek to expand and increase their agricultural businesses; this funding goes a long way toward helping the next generation of farmers to get a foothold in New York farmland production and preservation." New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, "The New Farmer Grant Fund continues to assist men and women who are in the beginning stages of taking their farms to the next level. There can be many barriers for beginning farmers, the lack of capital and the cost of machinery are to name a few. With the additional support of the State of New York, the grants will provide opportunities for the next generation of farmers to build upon their dreams of having a successful farm business." Lindsey Lusher Shute, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition, said, "A little help goes a long way for New York's young farmers. Access to grant funds for the purchase of equipment or to invest in farm infrastructure can help launch a career and reboot a local farm economy. The National Young Farmers Coalition appreciates Governor Cuomo's ongoing commitment to investing in the success of New York's young farmers." New York State is home to 36,000 farms that are top producers of more than 30 commodities, including apples, grapes, snap beans, maple products and dairy. New York's dairy industry is the largest sector of the state’s agricultural industry, accounting for approximately one-half of its on-farm production, support services and value-added products.    Contacts: Adam Ostrowski (ESD) | Adam.Ostrowski@esd.ny.gov | (518) 292-5148 | (800) 260-7313| Kirstan Conley (Agriculture) | Kirstan.Conley@agriculture.ny.gov | (518) 457-0752

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