Empire State Development public notices

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that its Division of Tourism was recognized by various industry associations for excellence in experiential marketing, digital initiatives and public relations. I LOVE NEW YORK received a gold REGGIE at the 35th annual awards celebrating achievements in marketing. The Division of Tourism also received gold distinction at the tenth annual Shorty Awards, and a bronze Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "New York State continues its steadfast support for tourism statewide, and these awards underscore the important efforts by our Division of Tourism to increase visitation and generate industry growth across the state." The REGGIE Awards are presented annually by the Association of National Advertisers and recognize the best marketing campaigns activated by brands and agencies. The Division of Tourism was awarded the gold REGGIE in the "Local, Regional Market Campaigns" category for the 2017 I LOVE NEW YORK Mobile Tour. Last year, the I LOVE NEW YORK POD activated at 23 tour stops across the state, supporting New York State's tourism initiatives through experiential marketing. Known as "the Oscars of social media," the Shorty Awards honor the best of social media, recognizing influencers, brands and organizations across various social platforms. I LOVE NEW YORK was awarded gold distinction for overall "Instagram Presence."  Through inspirational curated content, user-generated content campaigns and partnerships with travel influencers, Instagram continues to be I LOVE NEW YORK's fastest growing and most engaged social media channel. Founded in 1957, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards is the largest global travel marketing competition. I LOVE NEW YORK received a bronze Adrian Award at the 61st annual awards for Feature Placement in a Newspaper. The piece, "Syrup Producers Offer Sip of the Sweet Life," ran in the Wall Street Journal and showcased New York State's booming maple syrup industry. Executive Vice President of State Marketing Strategy Richard Newman said, "The Governor’s commitment to tourism—and the dedication of our team and partners—is driving world class visibility for attractions across New York State. Congratulations to the marketing team and our partners Jack Morton, Finn Partners and GLOW." Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "New York State’s tourism team is always working to develop innovative tactics, maximize trends and utilize up-to-date technology to engage potential visitors and inspire them to book a New York vacation. These awards help demonstrate that we are achieving our goal of implementing best-in-class marketing techniques to increase tourism in the Empire State." 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. About New York State New York State features 11 beautiful vacation regions, featuring landmarks such as Niagara Falls, the largest park in the continental U.S. in the Adirondacks and treasures such as the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and the Corning Museum of Glass. New York State offers diverse activities for all: outdoor fun - snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding, fishing, hiking and boating, year-round festivals and exploring the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies. Visitors also enjoy the fine cuisine, beverage trails and farm-to-table fresh foods. For more information on New York State’s rich history, visit paththroughhistory.iloveny.com. Information on all tourism attractions is available at iloveny.com.     Contact: Adam Ostrowski | adam.ostrowski@esd.ny.gov | (518) 292-5148 Press Office | pressoffice@esd.ny.gov | (800) 260-7313

As required by statute, this report contains the status of economic development programs administered by Empire State Development. Funding for the projects listed herein was approved by ESD during the 2nd Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017-18 (July 1 through September 30). During this period, ESD approved 109 awards to 96 companies or organizations for 105 projects totaling $215,872,588 in funding commitments. These projects will retain 3,148 jobs, create 776 jobs and leverage $364,004,684 in private or other public sector investment. Quarterly Status Report - First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Quarterly Status Report - Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Quarterly Status Report - Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Quarterly Status Report - Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2017-2018

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that condition monitoring company Qualitrol will expand its operations in the Village of Fairport in Monroe County. The company plans to move its existing manufacturing operations from Quebec, Canada to its Fairport headquarters. The relocation project is expected to create up to 27 new jobs; 215 jobs will be retained. The established company manufactures and distributes partial discharge monitoring, asset protection equipment and information products for the electrical generation, transmission and distribution industries. To help move the project forward, ESD is offering up to $350,000 through the Excelsior Jobs Program in exchange for job creation commitments.  The company will finance project upgrades at the Fairport facility that are expected to total more than $360,000. The expansion should be complete in December of 2022. This project complements Finger Lakes Forward, the regionally designed plan which is focused on growing the local economy. Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "As a successful international company, Qualitrol’s decision to move its Quebec manufacturing operations from Canada to New York reflects the welcoming climate of opportunity in New York State that supports business growth and expansion.” Established in 1945, Qualitrol provides condition based monitoring across the globe for utility assets. The company manufactures monitoring and protection devices for high value electrical assets and OEM manufacturing companies. Qualitrol provides its customers with products which include Transformers, Switchgear & Breakers, Motors, Hydro Generators, Turbine Generators, Power Grid, Vault Transformers among thousands of other customized services and products. Jim Niederst, Qualitrol Director of Operations said, “I want to thank the Empire State Development team for helping to bring these new manufacturing jobs to Fairport.  Since 1945 Qualitrol has been a jobs generator in Fairport and we remain committed to investing in the area. “ Qualitrol is a subsidiary of the Fortive industrial conglomerate. Besides its locations in New York and Canada, the company maintains operations in Oregon, Northern Ireland, Sweden, India and in the United Kingdom. Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle said, "Our region continues to experience unprecedented growth in our hi-tech and advanced manufacturing industries and Qualitrol’s decision to continue investing and expanding in our community is further evidence of that fact. This expansion will create new job opportunities with good wages that will strengthen our hard-working families and help maintain our economic momentum for many years to come.” State Senator Rich Funke said, "This is why we as elected officials need to make sure we work together to provide a business-friendly environment. Companies will choose our region only when they know it's a move they can afford and one that will truly benefit them. Qualitrol's decision to expand to Fairport, which is in the 55th Senate District, is another testament to the strength of our local leaders and their ability to sell our region. " State Assemblyman Mark Johns said, “It is wonderful news for the region that Qualitrol has decided to expand its operations in Fairport. I am very grateful to Empire State Development for supporting this project. Because of that assistance, this successful international company has committed to creating close to 30 top quality jobs which will help the regional economy continue to grow.” “The GRE team provided Qualitrol seniors leaders with an analysis of labor and infrastructure costs to help them make an informed decision about where to expand their operations,” said Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise. “The low cost power and highly skilled workforce available here convinced Qualitrol senior leaders to create new jobs in the Rochester, NY region.” For more about Qualitrol, 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 $5.2 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  

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) today announced plans to move forward on four projects on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.  The Outer Harbor, via these projects, will see significant investment, starting this May, and going forward for the next few years.  The board awarded a construction contract for a Buffalo Billion project that includes an urban bike park, events lawn, multi-use trails and habitat enhancements at the southern end of the Outer Harbor and voted to move into the capital planning phase for a Buffalo Billion Phase 2 project that includes planning the use of more than 140 acres of land that remains largely vacant and underutilized.  The board also approved contracts for capital planning at the First Buffalo River Marina and at Terminal B.  The projects are part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s vision for a dramatic transformation of the City of Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.  Click here for a map of areas that will see improvements. “These projects, spearheaded by Governor Cuomo when he announced the Outer Harbor land transfer in 2013, represent a transformative change for the Outer Harbor, making it more accessible and active—a logical next step for investment following our previous projects at Canalside and on the river,” said ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia.  “The intent of these efforts is to expand the amount and types of activities and experiences available to Outer Harbor visitors.  Our Governor asked ECHDC to deliver a waterfront the people of Western New York can be proud of – today that vision is moving forward.” The board approved a nearly $4 million construction contract to Pinto Construction Services for the “Buffalo Outer Harbor Access & Activation Civic Improvements Project, Phase 1B,” which consists of several improvements that will enhance access and facilitate greater public use/enjoyment of 20-acres at the southern end of the Outer Harbor.  The project includes a completed multi-use Greenbelt Trail, including pedestrian and bicycle amenities; two overlook locations; an urban bike park with skills features and off-road trails; an events lawn for passive and active recreational purposes; and three habitat restoration areas.  The property being used by the public will also include environmental mitigation features mainly consisting of a soil cap and/or fencing.  The project is slated to begin in May 2018 and be completed by May 2019.  See site plan here and renderings here. Building upon the first round of Buffalo Billion improvements at the southern end of the Outer Harbor, as well as improvements being evaluated for the First Buffalo River Marina at the northern end, Buffalo Billion Phase 2 improvements will further fill in existing access gaps, expand public usage of this great resource and provide for additional amenities and activities that will open public awareness.  The ECHDC Board approved a total contract amount not to exceed $2.11 million to Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects LLP, a New York State-certified Women Owned Business (WBE), for architectural and engineering design services for “Buffalo Outer Harbor Access & Activation Civic Improvements Project, Phase 2.”  While the improvements will be determined with stakeholder and agency involvement, they will likely include environmental remediation, active and passive open space, habitat restoration, a restored and accessible Michigan Pier, food and beverage opportunities, signage and wayfinding, and coordination with long-term, in-water improvements by the USACOE/NYSDEC.  These improvements will occur over 140 acres of land that remains largely vacant and underutilized on the Outer Harbor.  The board approved a consultant agreement to Olin Partnership, Ltd dba OLIN, a full-service New York State-certified Women Owned Business (WBE)firm with more than 40 years of experience in successful placemaking, for architectural and engineering services at the First Buffalo River Marina.  The $550,000 contract will pay for planning of the approximately 15 acres of fenced land at the northern end of the Outer Harbor, which includes a 115-slip boat marina with a Marina Office Building and Marina Maintenance Building, several boat launch locations, outdoor storage for approximately 300 boats, and approximately 150 spaces for trailer parking and/or public patrons.  While not in use by the marina, the site also contains the Connecting Terminal Grain Elevator.  The site is immediately adjacent to the Queen City Bike Ferry.  ECHDC is considering the following preliminary water-dependent programmatic elements to be incorporated in the marina plans: Overall entrance, marina circulation and parking for vehicles based on type of general public/marina user Relocated boat launch and related circulation Relocated Queen City Bike Ferry landing and related circulation Site access and control for various types of users Pedestrian and bicycle circulation Landscape and public site amenity plan Public space programming, including concessions and rental opportunities.   Lastly, the ECHDC Board awarded a contract to Bergmann Associates, Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects & Surveyors, DPC LLP for architectural and design services at Terminal B.  The $375,000 contact will provide concepts for various options, ranging from demolition to reuse. About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation  The ECHDC is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York State Governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two nonvoting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County Executive and the City of Buffalo Mayor. As a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state’s chief economic development agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance and natural beauty. For more information on ECHDC, visit www.eriecanalharbor.com.     Contact: Pamm Lent (Governor’s Office) | pamm.lent@esd.ny.gov | (716) 846-8309 Laura Magee (ECHDC) | laura.magee@esd.ny.gov | (716) 846-8239