15 Downtown Revitalization Projects Highlight Historic Mixed-Use Core, Lake Street Commercial Corridor, Robust Craft Food & Beverage Industry Investment Complements "Finger Lakes Forward" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced 15 transformational projects for Penn Yan as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. The strategic investments in Penn Yan highlight its historic mixed-use core, the Lake Street commercial corridor, a robust craft food and beverage industry, and the Keuka Marsh and Outlet in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. The investments are part of the Governor's ongoing efforts to revitalize the upstate economy and create more opportunities for the Finger Lakes Region. "As part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, Penn Yan will be able to grow their economy and elevate the quality of life for residents," Governor Cuomo said. "The tourism generated through their burgeoning craft food and beverage industry, local arts scene, and the beautiful Keuka Lake speaks to its incredible potential for greater economic opportunity." "The Village of Penn Yan has a charming downtown that is primed for growth thanks to strategic investment," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. "The projects funded as part of our Downtown Revitalization Initiative will build upon Penn Yan's strengths as a centerpiece of the region's craft food and beverage industry, expand the availability of housing, and improve quality of life to create a brighter economic future for the Finger Lakes." Penn Yan was named a DRI Round 3 winner in October 2018. The Village of Penn Yan, a hub of business and recreational activity surrounded by bucolic farmland, leads the Finger Lakes Region in manufacturing job growth. Rich in history, the Village's downtown is comprised of lovely tree-lined streets, intact historic buildings, and beautiful landscaping. While so many other main streets have lost out to strip mall developments and big box retailers, Penn Yan's downtown is still the center of commerce for residents and visitors alike. However, a number of barriers, including the impact of recent extreme floods and lack of housing options, are suppressing Penn Yan's full potential for leveraging private investment and increasing economic opportunity for all. The DRI planning effort in Penn Yan will focus on overcoming these barriers and promoting sustained, year-round economic growth by concentrating on four areas: leveraging the abundant natural assets, capitalizing on the growing craft food and beverage industry, using the local art scene as an economic engine, and capturing the intellectual capital that lives and vacations in the Village. Read the full press release here.

Photos Available Here Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the grand opening of Adirondack Health's new, Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center in Lake Placid, Essex County. The 41,000 square-foot state-of-the-art medical facility, complete with a three-lane lap pool, offers sports medicine and therapy services, in addition to traditional health care and treatment options for residents. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Lake Placid has a rich sporting history as a two-time host of the Winter Olympic games, and this project represents the latest investment furthering the region's prominence as a world-class training destination for athletes of all ages and skill levels." Adirondack Health invested more than $22 million to build and outfit the new Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center, with equipment and facilities to provide a range of services including strength training and exercise performance and science. The company has committed to adding two new positions, while retaining all 65 employees from its former Lake Placid location. This project was supported by a $2 million performance-based grant from ESD, recommended by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) during Round V of the Regional Council initiative. Adirondack Health President and CEO Sylvia Getman said, "We are tremendously grateful for the support of our donors, employees, elected officials, Empire State Development and the North Country Regional Economic Development Council—who all recognize that a healthy community is a happy and prosperous community. This building reflects the quality of the work being done inside by our dedicated clinicians and staff, as well as the small town, global sports legacy that belongs to Lake Placid." NCREDC Co-Chairs James McKenna, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism CEO, and Dr. Ty Stone, Jefferson Community College President, said, "New York State's investment in the Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center will support the Council's larger efforts to attract world-class competitions to the greater Lake Placid area. This facility provides another piece of crucial infrastructure that allows us to showcase the North Country as the perfect place to live, work and visit." Adirondack Health’s Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center offers a state-of-the-art emergency department, plus laboratory and diagnostic imaging capabilities. Doctors' offices, including the Lake Placid Sports Medicine group, complement other on-site medical services ensuring premier health care is available just steps from the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Additionally, Adirondack Health also plans to offer children's swim and water safety classes in the new lap pool. Adirondack Health is network of eight facilities and more than 900 health care professionals that has been servicing the North Country for the past 100 years. With a full range of medical, surgical and long-term care services located throughout Essex and Franklin Counties, Adirondack Health supports and generates more than $148 million in annual local economic impact.  Senator Betty Little said, "Given its world-renowned Winter Olympic legacy, Lake Placid is the ideal setting for this leading edge, world-class approach to community and elite sports fitness and well-being. This is a perfect fit with so many athletes of all ages who come to Lake Placid and the Adirondack region to compete at the highest level.  And the emergency department, laboratory and diagnostic imaging will serve the community so well in the years ahead. I am very grateful for the leadership of Adirondack Health and the partnership of New York State, including Empire State Development, to make this possible." Assemblyman Dan Stec said, "Access to quality health care is crucial for building healthy, sustainable communities, and the Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center will ensure that our residents have the opportunity to receive the same world-class care as the athletes who choose to train in our Olympic-caliber facilities. I thank Empire State Development and the North Country REDC for their support of this project." Shaun Gillilland, Essex County Board of Supervisors Chair, said, "Strong economies and healthy communities go hand-in-hand, and Adirondack Health's new Lake Placid facility will support our vital tourism industry and expand healthcare services and increase quality of life for our residents." North Elba Town Supervisor Roby Politi said, "We are thankful for Empire State Development's investment in the future of quality health services in our community. The new center will build on our area’s sports legacy and provide the necessary support to continue that legacy, while ensuring the continued health of our community."  Village of Lake Placid Mayor Craig H. Randall said, "Lake Placid is known worldwide as a Winter Olympics venue and hub for snow sports and world-class athletic training. The new Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center will complement the area’s regional strength as a major sports destination and serve everyone from elite athletes to families and residents." 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 NY," the State's iconic tourism brand.  For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. Contact:  Adam Ostrowski (ESD) | [email protected] | (518) 292-5148 | (800) 260-7313 Matt Scollin (Adirondack Health) | [email protected] | (518) 897-2341

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today announced electronics design and contract manufacturer Z-Axis is again updating its facility in the Village of Phelps in Ontario County to better serve its customers. The project will include the installation of upgraded equipment and additional surface mount technology (SMT) lines.  As a result of the latest upgrades, the successful high-tech business plans to create up to 20 new jobs over the next three years; 80 jobs will be retained.  ESD is providing up to $150,000 for the project through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for the company’s job creation commitment. Greater Rochester Enterprise also assisted with this project. Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The decision by Z-Axis to further expand in Ontario County reflects the success of our strategic investments to revitalize the Upstate economy by adding jobs and opportunity.” The total project cost for the updates to the Z-Axis design and manufacturing center has been placed at $800,000. The project is expected to be completed this summer. Z-Axis President & Board Chairman Michael Allen said, “We have built our business on the ability to anticipate our customers’ changing needs, and the agility to continually adapt our production lines and skills to meet those needs.  This requires constant investment in equipment, along with access to world-class talent in electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, management, and electronics assembly. This has been a successful formula for us here in Western New York and we look forward to continued growth. “ Founded in Phelps in 1989, Z-Axis provides design, prototyping and manufacturing services for complex electronic products and electromechanical assemblies. The company also designs and manufactures commercial, industrial and medical power supplies under its Bear Power Supplies brand. The 32,000 square-foot facility includes both electronic design and contract manufacturing centers.  Z-Axis’ expertise includes analog, digital, mixed-signal, linear and power systems design together with high-tech electronics manufacturing in the USA. State Senator Pamela Helming said, “Z-Axis’ success in the Village of Phelps and Ontario County is exciting for all of the residents and businesses of the Finger Lakes region. It means local jobs for local people, and it ensures our communities can continue to thrive and our local economy can continue to grow. The installation of upgraded equipment and additional technology sends a strong message that manufacturers can succeed in our region. I thank President Michael Allen and Z-Axis for their commitment to Ontario County, and I applaud Empire State Development, Greater Rochester Enterprise, Ontario County, and other stakeholders for their investment in this terrific project. As State Senator, I will keep working to ensure that manufacturers such as Z-Axis and other companies can do business and grow jobs in our region and in our state.” State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb said, “Upgrading the Z-Axis facility in Phelps is a testament to the company’s continued success and commitment to the Finger Lakes Region. Retaining critical jobs here while taking steps to increase the workforce is a win-win for the company and our community. Over the past 30 years, Z-Axis has demonstrated a unique focus on meeting the demands of the marketplace and the needs of its customers. This important investment from New York State will help them succeed in today’s environment and implement strategies to adapt and achieve in the future.” Ontario County Board of Supervisors Chair, Jack Marren, said, “Empire State Development, GRE, and Ontario County teamed together to support this advanced manufacturer grow and add jobs in Phelps.  This is a strategic business for Ontario County.  We are pleased Michael Allen and his team are investing in tomorrow at Z-Axis.” Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “Z-Axis participated in GRE’s Economic Gardening program to garner market research and competitive intelligence to help them expand their sales network and reach strategic business goals. In addition, our GRE team connected Z-Axis senior leaders to the right people and resources to help support their company’s expansion in the Greater Rochester, NY region.” For more information about Z-Axis, 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 | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313