Empire State Development public notices

The business of defending data is projected to be a very big business in the coming years, potentially a $300 billion industry by 2024. And it’s no wonder: The amount of private data we now store online is staggering, as are the mounting dangers to its safety. By most estimates, ransomware or “phishing” attacks on private, corporate or government networks happen every 14 seconds and mobile malware attacks, which target cell phones through third-party apps, are on the rise. New York State understands the significant threat cybercrime poses to its residents and businesses. Through recent legislation and educational and business development, New York State aims to change the way businesses approach cybersecurity while helping to train the future employees of a state-based industry boom that will address and solve data protection’s biggest challenges.

Former Victorian-Era Church Restored and Transformed into Modern Community Performing Arts Facility Opening Performance Featuring Rosanne Cash Scheduled for Saturday Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the grand opening of Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) in downtown Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County. Through a working collaboration with Proctors Collaborative, the 19th century church has been transformed into a state-of-the-art performing arts, education and entertainment venue. To celebrate the grand opening, singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash will perform the inaugural concert on Saturday, February 29 before a sold-out audience. ESD Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, "Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York State’s regionally focused approach to economic growth is paying dividends. The renovation of Universal Preservation Hall leveraged publicly available funding with private investments to preserve the building's historic architecture while creating a modern performing arts venue that will encourage more people to experience downtown Saratoga." With the restoration complete, UPH offers nearly 700-seats in a theater-in-the-round setting, providing a year-round music and entertainment venue for downtown Saratoga Springs. The Great Hall has been transformed with new seating descending from the rear balcony and ascending into the apse. More than $10 million was invested into the restoration and renovation of the historic facility, including structural work to ensure the building's stability and sustainability, and decorative finishes like the glass-enclosed atrium that showcases the building's heritage. Improvements made to the hall's infrastructure include upgrading the heating and cooling systems to installing theatrical lighting and seating. A new ADA-compliant entrance and elevator ensures that the performance spaces are accessible to everyone. ESD is supporting the transformation with an $800,000 performance-based capital grant, recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council during Round V of the Regional Council initiative. The project was also awarded a $750,000 grant through Round 5 of the Restore NY Communities Initiative. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is providing a $200,000 grant, and is assisting with efforts to obtain up to $3.56 million in federal and state Historic Tax Credits. UPH Executive Director Teddy Foster said, "On behalf of Universal Preservation Hall, we are so grateful for the generous grants from Empire State Development and the state’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo. We are excited to share our gorgeous venue with our patrons thanks to the help from New York State." State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "This project is a wonderful example of an historic building being brought back to life for the 21st century. Parks is proud to have played a role in delivering on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s agenda of protecting and promoting our historic heritage for future generations." CREDC Co-Chairs Ruth Mahoney, KeyBank Market President, and Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, University at Albany President, said, "Supporting the creative economy is a pillar of our regional strategy, and the Council is proud to encourage projects that promote industry growth. We congratulate Universal Preservation Hall on this historic milestone." Senator Daphne Jordan said, "The grand opening of Universal Preservation Hall will continue our Saratoga Springs community’s time-honored, proud tradition of supporting, celebrating and showcasing the arts. I am thankful for Governor Cuomo’s strong support of this project, particularly ESD’s provision of an $800,000 performance-based capital grant, a $750,000 grant provided via the Restore NY Communities Initiative, a $200,000 grant from the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and its help in working to secure $3.56 million in federal and state Historic Tax Credits. These strategic investments and incentives will facilitate Universal Preservation Hall helping artists realize their full potential in creating the next exciting chapter of the performing arts in Saratoga Springs." Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner said, "I want to thank ESD and Parks for supporting the Universal Preservation Hall restoration project and congratulate all who were involved. There is so much history in the Universal Preservation Hall building and it is truly wonderful to see the building transformed into a space that not only maintains that history, but promotes the arts and arts education in our community as well. UPH will surely be a cultural and artistic staple in the heart of Saratoga Springs for years to come" Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly said, "In a City that is steeped in history, architecture, preservation, the arts, community, and responsible development this project checks all the boxes. We are thrilled to be able to include the magnificent Universal Preservation Hall as the City’s latest addition to its arts and community scene." Originally built in 1871 for the Methodist church to host its annual regional meeting, the church welcomed several notable speakers, including William Jennings Bryan, Frederick Douglass and President William Howard Taft. The Methodists sold the building to the Universal Baptist Church in 1976, who used the facility until it was deemed unsafe. 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, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. Contact:  Adam Ostrowski (ESD) | [email protected] | (518) 292-5148 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

“Tesla informed us that they have not only met, but exceeded their next hiring commitment in Buffalo. As of today, Tesla said they have more than 1,500 jobs in Buffalo and more than 300 others across New York State. ESD will perform the necessary due diligence to verify the company’s data. “This count does not include the Panasonic positions and — while their operations were co-located at RiverBend — there was no incentive package between the state and Panasonic. We understand that Panasonic has made a corporate decision to move away from global solar products, but this action has no bearing on Tesla’s current operations nor its commitment to Buffalo and New York State, according to Tesla.  “While the New York State Department of Labor stands ready with its Rapid Response Team to ensure that any employees who are impacted by Panasonic’s decision are connected to opportunities and resources available in the region, Tesla has indicated that it intends to hire as many Panasonic employees as it can going forward. “We look forward to continuing to grow employment at the RiverBend site with Tesla.” Contact: Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Targeted Biocontrol Pest Control Manufacturer Commits to Creating up to 30 New Jobs Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) announced that bioperformance company GreenLight Biosciences will construct a pilot plant at a building at Eastman Business Park (EBP). The project will create up to 30 new jobs that will support the production of GreenLight’s RNA-based solutions for the agriculture and healthcare industries. This latest project builds on the continued success story that is the rebirth of EBP in Monroe County. The repurposing of the business park remains a top priority of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council (FLREDC). GreenLight Bioscience expects the project to be completed by the end of 2020. “New York State’s strategic investments help position cutting-edge science for commercialization and economic growth,” said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler. “GreenLight Biosciences and its partners are working to create the next generation of environmentally innovative products, which will create jobs and drive economic activity in Rochester and throughout the region.” The pilot plant will enable GreenLight to bring GreenWorX™, its cell-free biomanufacturing process, to market in order to produce low-cost, high-quality RNA. RNA is a natural molecule found in all living organisms – animals, plants, fungi and humans – that facilitates virtually every biological process of life. The production of RNA through GreenWorX™ will help farmers grow food in a way that is natural and safe by targeting specific pests without harming other species or the environment. GreenLight’s innovations can also be used to accelerate the discovery and commercialization of vaccines and antibody therapies. Founded in 2009, GreenLight Biosciences is headquartered in Medford, Massachusetts, and its research and development efforts are located at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. “We are disrupting the industry by bringing nature and technology together to develop sustainable, precise biocontrol solutions, and it’s critical that we continue to build a workforce that can carry these innovations forward,” said Carole Cobb, chief operating officer at GreenLight Biosciences. “Eastman Business Park is particularly attractive to us because of the access to talented scientists and manufacturing experts in the Rochester area as well as the the extensive infrastructure and capabilities of EBP.” ESD is supporting the project with up to $600,000 through the Excelsior Jobs Program in exchange for job creation commitments. The total project cost has been placed at $16.6 million. Monroe County and Greater Rochester Enterprise also assisted with the project. EBP, the site where Kodak began manufacturing photographic film and paper more than a century ago, is being reinvigorated and is a significant attraction for businesses of the Finger Lakes region.  Today, the campus supports over 114 companies, employing over 6,000 people. EBP is home to Kodak operations and to innovative companies like DuPont, Plug Power, BEST Test and Commercialization Center, LiDestri Food and Drink and Clearwater Organic Farms among several others. State Senator Joe Robach said, “The addition of GreenLight Biosciences to Eastman Business Park is great news for the Rochester region and the continued growth of our local economy.  Eastman Business Park continues to re-invent itself into a national research, innovation and technology hub, attracting new businesses and creating new jobs for our workforce, with GreenLight being the latest to invest in the Rochester community.” State Assemblyman Peter Lawrence said, “Today’s announcement is another welcome example that businesses are choosing Monroe County due to our highly-skilled workforce and turn-key infrastructure and facilities. Eastman Business Park could not be a more suitable and appropriate location for GreenLight Biosciences which is leading the way in the biomanufacturing industry. This significant investment by the state signals that this project has enormous potential and it is my expectation that GreenLight Biosciences will honor its commitment to creating jobs in the region and reinvesting in our community.” County Executive Adam Bello said, “Monroe County is the ideal place for a company specializing in green technology to expand. Our innovative workforce, infrastructure, resources and affordability are outstanding. And, just like GreenLight Biosciences, we are committed to doing our part to preserve the planet. We are excited about this pilot plant and the jobs it will bring.” Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich said, “Greenlight Biosciences is another perfect fit for the growing family of innovative companies making their way to Eastman Business Park. EBP’s formula is working and we’re giving our full support to their efforts to bring new industry, investment, and jobs to the area. Greenlight Biosciences is working to bolster the food and beverage and health care industries, which are among the fastest growing industries in Greece and our neighboring communities. This kind of complementary growth couples EBP’s industrial infrastructure and our skilled workforce, which is a recipe for success. We’ll continue working with economic development partners and prioritizing permits and approvals necessary to bring this project and others like it to fruition.” Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren said, “I am happy to welcome GreenLight Biosciences to Eastman Business Park, which is providing further evidence that Rochester is the perfect location for high-tech job growth. I want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and Empire State Development for making this investment in Rochester’s economy through Finger Lakes Forward. Together we are moving forward to create more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens.” Eastman Business Park President and Kodak CFO Dave Bullwinkle said, “We are thrilled that GreenLight Biosciences chose to build their pilot plant here and that they plan to expand operations on the site as they grow.  Our resources are a perfect fit for their fermentation operation, with virtually unlimited water, steam, chilled water and industrial sewer capacity.” Matt Hurlbutt, President and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “The exceptional talent in advanced materials and life sciences, coupled with unmatched infrastructure available at Eastman Business Park, made Rochester, New York, the right location for GreenLight Biosciences. Rochester also offers an affordable cost of doing business, which is a competitive asset when compared with more expensive high-tech markets such as Boston.” For additional information about GreenLight Biosciences, 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 $8.07 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 | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313