Empire State Development Reports

Renowned Company Will Add 15,000 Square-Feet to its Existing Rochester Operations; Commits to Creating More Than 30 New Jobs Subsidiary UltraPhil Additionally Awarded Funding to Establish Operations in Downtown Rochester NYS Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that food and beverage engineering and consulting company JCS Controls Inc. is expanding its Monroe County operations, committing to creating up to 34 new jobs. The company specializes in advanced process and control systems designs that are focused on the food and beverage industry. JCS plans to build an additional 15,000 square-feet of fabrication space onto its existing Metro Park facility in the Town of Brighton. The upgrades will allow for the installation of state-of-the-art welding and air filtering systems, and for the repurposing of space to accommodate the growth of the company’s engineering team. Now underway, JCS expects to be operational in the new space in the fall of 2024. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York State, and the Finger Lakes region, are home to some of the most talent-rich tech companies in the world. By supporting cutting-edge businesses like JCS and UltraPhil that are committed to growing next-generation agribusiness technologies, we are boosting our economy, creating good-paying jobs, and generating even more opportunities to move the Finger Lakes forward." ESD is providing up to $400,000 for the JCS project through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit program in exchange for the job creation commitments. Total project cost has been placed at $2.7 million. Monroe County and Greater Rochester Enterprise are are also assisting with the project. Founded in 1988 as an industry engineering consulting firm, JCS has grown into a full-service company focused on aseptic processing, a technique that thermally sterilizes liquid products, packaging them into sterilized containers, resulting in shelf-stable products that do not need refrigeration. The forward-thinking company also provides long life and ultra pasteurization methods to its customers, as well several other food focused processes. The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce recently named JCS as one of the fastest growing, privately-owned companies in the region. JCS President Greg Frechette, said, “Being able to continue to grow our business here in the Rochester area is fantastic. The cooperation and assistance from the State of New York, Monroe County and the City of Rochester help to make it an easy decision to invest here locally.” Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced, through the Regional Economic Development Council Consolidated Funding Application process, that New York state would provide a grant of up to $600,000 for JCS subsidiary, UltraPhil. The company plans to establish a pilot manufacturing line and beverage research and development center in Downtown Rochester at Sibley Square focused on aseptic dairy, milk, coffee/tea, protein, and other low & high acid products. The facility will allow users to incubate and innovate new products and packaging technologies more efficiently. New York State companies will also be able to utilize this facility to connect with local suppliers increasing opportunities for growth. Both projects directly support the growth of the agriculture and food production industry, a key pillar of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s (FLREDC) strategic plan. State Senator Jeremy A. Cooney, said, “I’m excited to hear that JCS Controls and its subsidiary, UltraPhil, are expanding operations in Rochester. Every dollar we bring into our region, every chance to keep the talent we have and increase the number of good-paying jobs available - these are all wins. Thank you to ESD for recognizing this opportunity and investing in our community.” State Assemblymember Sarah Clark, said, “It's a great day for the Finger Lakes region when government, private sector, and community partners come together to invest in the local economy and the future of budding industries that will support greater Rochester and beyond for generations to come. The expansion of JCS and UltraPhil here is a huge step forward for innovations in fields critical to our region including food production and beverage manufacturing. Growing this ecosystem will create countless opportunities for entrepreneurial collaboration for other local companies and suppliers. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Commissioner Knight and Empire State Development, JCS, and the many other partners involved in making today's announcement possible.” County Executive Adam Bello, said, “I’m pleased to see JCS Controls and UltraPhil expand their Monroe County operations, further tapping into our region’s highly skilled workforce and contributing to our growing reputation as a global leader in the high-tech food and beverage industry. Thank you to Empire State Development, Gov. Kathy Hochul and JCS Controls for their commitment to Monroe County’s economic future. Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans, said, “I cannot wait to welcome JCS Controls and UltraPhil to Downtown Rochester. These companies will join a thriving hub of food and beverage entrepreneurs at Sibley Square and add vibrancy to Rochester’s fastest growing neighborhood. As always, I’m grateful to our local partners, Empire State Development, and Governor Hochul for making these investments possible.” Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Bob Duffy, said, "As JCS Controls Inc. and its subsidiary UltraPhil embark on this significant expansion in Monroe County, we celebrate the growth of the thriving food and beverage ecosystem in New York State and the Finger Lakes region. This expansion aligns with the Finger Lakes Forward strategy and underscores the integral role of the food and beverage industry in this vision. Thanks to the support of the City of Rochester, Monroe County, Empire State Development, and Governor Kathy Hochul, we are able to attract visionary businesses like these to create good jobs and help bolster our regional economy." Matt Hurlbutt, President and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise, said, “JCS and its subsidiary UltraPhil are growing in the Greater Rochester, NY region because of the talented workforce, world-class R&D, low cost of doing business, and the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit they found in the area. UltraPhil's plans to open the UltraPhil Center for Aseptic Excellence at Sibley Square in downtown Rochester will add a unique asset to enhance the region's beverage manufacturing ecosystem. We look forward to continuing to assist JCS and UltraPhil as they grow in the Greater Rochester, NY region.” For additional information about JCS and UltraPhil, visit: https://www.jcs.com/ and https://www.ultraphil.com/. Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward  Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available 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 the 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: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313    

November 25 Marks Small Business Saturday Throughout New York State Supporting Local Businesses Helps to Create Jobs and Promote Regional Economic Growth Governor Kathy Hochul today encouraged New Yorkers to support local and regional small businesses during the holiday season – especially this Saturday, November 25, for "Small Business Saturday," which celebrates the dedication and spirit of the state's small business owners. Small businesses represent 98 percent of all New York State businesses, and support 40 percent of the private sector workforce. By shopping locally, New Yorkers invest revenue and tax dollars back into their communities, support jobs, and further promote regional economic growth. “As the daughter of a small business owner, I know it takes hard work and perseverance to start and grow a business,” Governor Hochul said. "Since the beginning of my administration, we have made historic investments in New York’s small businesses, which provide jobs, boost local economies, and have a huge impact on communities across the state. This Small Business Saturday and every day, I encourage New Yorkers to shop locally.” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Small businesses are vital to our local economies; they are owned by our neighbors and friends and reinvest back into our communities. As we look ahead to Small Business Saturday, please remember to support your locally-owned businesses this weekend and all throughout the holiday season.” New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our diverse and robust economy. This holiday season and throughout 2024, shop small and shop often to support your neighbors and local economies statewide.” Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller said, “New York State relies on, supports and celebrates its small business sector. We offer a wide array of tax credits and incentives to help start and expand small businesses, and we are grateful for the contributions of small business owners not only this weekend, but throughout the year.” New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to give back to our neighborhood businesses whose owners work so hard to bring their communities special products not only for the holidays, but all year long. At the Department, we work hard to support our farms and small food and beverage businesses, including through our NYS Grown & Certified and Taste NY programs, which helps us introduce them to new customers and tell their story. There are so many awesome New Yorkers making quality, unique products, from gift items to terrific food and beverages, and I encourage everyone to think local when shopping for the holidays. Stop by your closest Taste NY store, shop online at ShopTasteNY.gov, or visit your favorite local farm, food place, or craft beverage producer in support of New York agriculture.” Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to encourage the state's small businesses to grow, thrive and maximize opportunities for success through various initiatives and agency programs. Since taking office, the Governor has established and enhanced an unprecedented 26 programs exclusively for small businesses, and committed nearly $1 billion to supporting small businesses through Empire State Development. Read the full press release here.

Fund to Attract World-Class Researchers to New York State Has Generated More Than $86 Million in External Funding and Created 136 New Jobs Builds on New York’s $620 Million Life Science Initiative to Spur the Growth of a World-Class Research Cluster in New York Application Available Here Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that applications are now available for the fifth round of grants from NYFIRST, the New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent. The highly competitive grant program is focused on strengthening the translational research capabilities of medical schools in New York state by encouraging the recruitment of exceptional translational researchers from outside of the state, or retention of researchers being recruited by schools in other states. Since the first call for applications in the Fall of 2018, 12 NYFIRST awards have been made, committing $11.7 million of the $15 million fund. “With the launch of the fifth round of our NYFIRST grant program, my administration is taking another step toward building the future of medicine right here in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “NYFIRST grants boost the capabilities of the state’s medical schools, making them more competitive, more attractive to world-class students and faculty, and better positioned to secure federal and foundation funding. These investments in our research institutions will expand the possibilities for medical breakthroughs in our state and build momentum behind our efforts to establish a hub for the life sciences in New York.” NYFIRST grants have led to the creation of 136 jobs, seven patent applications filed and the creation of a new startup company. These grants also leveraged more than $86 million in additional funding from public and private sources. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “After four previous rounds, we can see that NY FIRST grants are enhancing the life science ecosystem by attracting top talent and creating jobs. These grants are an important tool for enhancing New York State’s position as a life science leader.” Read the full press release here.

The meeting is open to the public. The public may listen to the meeting via webcast by clicking the link below. Please Note: Due to building procedures, members of the public attending in-person should please RSVP by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Members of the press should please call (800) 260-7313; Members of the public should please call (212) 803-3772. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda items in writing to [email protected] by Noon on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted on-line.