Empire State Development Reports

Committee Established to Advise the ConnectALL Office as it Deploys More Than $1B for Accessible, Equitable and Affordable Broadband Inaugural Meeting Held Virtually, Materials Can be Found Here Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the members of the State’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee to advise on broadband and digital equity planning and implementation statewide. Members include representatives from key state infrastructure agencies, private-sector telecommunications operators, organized labor and Tribal affairs. The inaugural virtual meeting of the committee was held on October 18. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee will help us ensure that New York has affordable, equitable and reliable broadband throughout the entire state, and I want to thank Governor Hochul for Appointing Josh Breitbart as Chair of this very important committee.” Committee members include: Chair - Joshua Breitbart, Empire State Development James Becker, MIDTEL (Governor‘s Appointee) Jackie Bray, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Paul Cardettino, State Education Department Mary Harding, Department of Transportation Camille Joseph-Goldman, Charter Communications (Governor‘s Appointee) Moses Kamya, Office of General Services Becky Koepnick, Homes and Community Renewal Scott Melvin, Department of Labor Allyson Mitchell, Mohawk Networks (Governor‘s Appointee) Ali Mohammed, New York Power Authority Frank Muia, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Governor‘s Appointee) Brian Ossias, Department of Public Service Patrick Ryan, Division of Budget Laurie Wheelock, Public Utility Law Project (Senate Appointee) In September, ConnectALL released the Five-Year Action Plan, which outlines the state’s goals and priorities for its $664 million allocation of federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding. ConnectALL has also been deeply engaged with stakeholders across the state to gather input through digital equity coalitions in every region. Outreach and engagement efforts have included listening sessions in every region of the state; more than 40 focus groups including veterans, seniors, marginalized populations, and low-income households; virtual stakeholder forums; and digital equity task force town halls in partnership with the New York State Library, and a statewide public survey. The learnings and recommendations from this engagement will be included in the State Digital Equity Plan and the BEAD Initial Proposals, which will soon be released for public comment. Read the Five-Year Action Plan at broadband.ny.gov. The Department of Public Service published the 2023 Broadband Report in June. The Report can be found in Case 22-M-0313 on the Public Service Commission website, www.dps.ny.gov. 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: Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | (518) 414-1087 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

New Facility Will Triple Craft Beer Production, Encourage Year-Round Visitation Supports New York State’s Dynamic Craft Beverage Industry View Photos Here Empire State Development (ESD) today celebrated the grand opening of Common Roots Brewing Company’s new $3.6 million, 10,000 square foot expansion in South Glens Falls, Saratoga County. The Saratoga Avenue location includes a new barrel-aged beer production facility, increased storage capacity and a 200-person, four-season event space and beer garden. The expanded facility will not only serve as a destination for the region but will also create jobs and allow Common Roots to continue improve its production efficiencies and market share. "Common Roots Brewing Company has had a tremendous impact on the local economy and tourism in this area, quickly becoming a destination in Saratoga county," said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who attended the ribbon cutting. "New York is proud to support this local business and proud to continue to invest in the Capital Region." Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Since planting their own roots in South Glens Falls ten years ago, Common Roots has grown and flourished to become a community pillar and a craft beer destination for residents and visitors alike. This expansion is a testament to the brewery's dedication and commitment to creating a world-class product that is enjoyed and appreciated throughout the northeast, fueling new interest and growth in the New York State's craft beverage industry." Common Roots Brewing Company Co-Founder and President Christian Weber said, "We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to expand our business and create more opportunities for growth right here in Upstate New York. The support that we received from Empire State Development and the Hochul administration has helped us achieve our dream to create and grow a sustainable business right here in the community we love." Common Roots has grown dramatically since its inception in 2013, expanding from three employees and 500 barrels in its first year, to more than employees and 10,000 barrels annually. A devastating 2019 fire destroyed the brewery's original facility, and a new state of the art brewery was designed and constructed on the site, and operational just 14 months after the fire. The new 30-barrel brewing system tripled the capacity of the original brewery and a new taproom includes a full-service restaurant. Common Roots has continued to grow, and the new taproom’s popularity surpassed expectations. The company has steadily increased its market share and presence in the Northeast and is now ranked among the top percentage of craft breweries in the country. Common Roots products are available in cans and on-tap in seven Northeastern states, plus a limited presence in Canada. This new expansion helps Common Roots continue to meet growing demand for its products and continue to be a destination for local residents and visitors to the region.  To support the expansion, Empire State Development awarded Common Roots a $250,000 capital grant, and up to $200,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council. Common Roots has committed to creating eight new full-time jobs and retaining its 26 existing full-time employees. CREDC Co-Chairs Ruth Mahoney, Executive Vice President, President of Wealth Management and Regional President at NBT Bank, and Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, University at Albany President, said, “We are proud to support the expansion of a local business that reflects and builds on New York State’s dynamic craft beverage industry. Common Roots is a great example of our investment in a company that will grow the local economy and also offer a taste of the Capital Region's signature strengths throughout the Northeast and beyond.” New York State Brewers Association Executive Director, Paul Leone said, “Thanks to a favorable legislative environment and continued support from the Governor's office, Common Roots is able to expand even more to meet the rising demand for their great beer. The brewing industry in strong in New York State, and this expansion is not only great for the craft beer lovers in the Saratoga region, but all over the state and beyond.” New York State is home to more than 535 breweries, a national leader according to the New York State Brewers Association. Its 2018 study reports that breweries in New York generate an economic impact of $5.4 billion and support more nearly 20,000 jobs, making the craft beverage industry a pillar of the state’s economy. New York also ranks in the top five in the U.S. for its number of craft beverage producers in every category. second in craft distillers and breweries, and fourth in the country for the total number of wineries.  Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed into law a package of legislation that will improve New York's laws related to alcoholic beverages in an effort to expand options for consumers and support New York's small businesses in the alcoholic beverage sector. Legislation S.5731/A.6941 allows for the sale of beer, mead, braggot and cider on any day of the week including Sundays. Legislation S.2854/A.7305 allows liquor and wine stores to expand their Sunday hours so that they may open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Legislation S.6443/A.6134 extends the length of validity of a brewer’s license from one year to three years. Legislation S.3364A/A.2902 allows for businesses to prepare and keep drinks containing alcohol in pressurized dispensing machines. Legislation S.3567A/A.6050A allows retail stores to sell complementary gift and promotional items related to wine and spirit sales. Legislation S.6993A/A.7688 adds parcels of land to the list of premises which are exempt from the provisions of law which generally restrict manufacturers/wholesalers and retailers from sharing an interest in a liquor license. State Senator James Tedisco said, "Common Roots Brewing's opening is an exciting development for South Glens Falls and the Town of Moreau and will bring jobs and further economic expansion to the 44th Senate District. Thanks to the Governor and Empire State Development for their support on this initiative." Assembly Member Carrie Woerner said, "Common Roots is a leader in the craft beer industry and a true example of good corporate citizenship. This new expansion is an investment in the growth of Common Roots, but also a commitment by the Common Roots family, including Bert, Christian and Robin, to helping build the local community." Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said, "Saratoga County and the Town of Moreau proudly celebrate Common Roots Brewing Company’s expansion in South Glens Falls. Common Roots has been a Saratoga County staple since its taproom opened in 2014 and we are thankful they’ve chosen to rebuild here in our community after their devastating fire. Saratoga County is committed to promoting fiscally responsible policies that support strong economic growth countywide and Common Roots Brewing Company’s decision to rebuild and expand here is proof that we are open for business." South Glens Falls Mayor Nicholas Bodkin said, "Economic development is always a priority for small communities, and Common Roots has become a cornerstone of an expansive movement of tourism and commerce in the Village of South Glens Falls. Their continued success and growth is a testament to their commitment to realizing their vision of making our community a great place to enjoy lasting memories with friends and families from around the country. Empire State Development’s investment in our community is essential to help foster growth and prosperity in a small bedroom community, and I am hopeful to see further investments in our Village to continue to build upon the accomplishments that have already been made." 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: Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | (518) 414-1087 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

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Round Three Winner of Luminate NY Optics, Photonics, and Imaging Competition Officially Opens New Solar Power Photonic Smart Coating Research and Development Facility at Sibley Square NYS Investment in SunDensity Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Photos of SunDensity’s New Facility Available Here. Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that SunDensity has officially opened the doors on its state-of-the-art research and development facility located at the Sibley Square Building in Downtown Rochester. SunDensity, which originated from MIT, committed to locating its operations in Rochester after being named “Company of the Year” during the third round of Luminate NY in 2020. Luminate NY is the world's largest business accelerator for startup firms that have optics, photonics and imaging (OPI) enabled technologies.  As the winner, the company received a $1 million in investment from the state through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. SunDensity is also eligible for up to $600,000 through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax-Credit program in exchange for the creation of up to 56 new jobs.  To date, the company has 15 employees working on-site. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight, said, "SunDensity’s decision to locate its operations in Rochester proves the success of the state-supported Luminate NY competition: our focused, strategic investments in these emerging companies are working to cement New York as a worldwide leader in optics, photonics, and imaging, and I look forward to the company’s further contribution to the growth of the OPI industry in the Finger Lakes region.” SunDensity’s Photonic Smart Coatings for utility, commercial and residential solar panels can considerably improve solar power output and provide more accessible green energy solutions at a lower overall cost.  Its nano-optical coating also reduces costs and improves the performance of Low Emissivity (‘Low E’) window glass to efficiently control unfavorable effects such as ‘heat gain’ in homes and buildings that demand increased energy for environmental control. The number of solar power plants in the United States is growing at a rate of 30% per year, but much of the available solar spectrum is wasted by solar cells. SunDensity’s Photonic Smart Coating improves the efficiency of opto-electronic devices such as solar cells by shaping the spectrum of photons, transforming available energy into more usable light, targeting the ideal sensitivity for many different types of devices. “This is a big step forward for us,” said Dr. Nish Sonwalkar, Founder, President and CTO of SunDensity. “Developing our technology here signifies our commitment to providing solar solutions in the U.S., to be competitive with Chinese products that currently dominate the market.”  Luminate NY Managing Director Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, said, “By opening their facility in the same place where they incubated—in the heart of Rochester’s Innovation Zone—SunDensity is helping to revitalize our city and to expand economic development opportunities within our rich OPI and entrepreneur ecosystems.”  The Luminate NY accelerator, administered by NextCorps, is based in Rochester and selects 10 to 12 promising companies each year to participate in its hybrid, six-month program. During this time, companies are provided with more than 200 hours of instruction, along with the resources to advance their technologies and businesses. Applications are now being accepted for Round 7 through January 8, 2024. Teams will receive $100,000 in funding upon program start in April 2024, with the expectation that $50,000 will be used to engage resources in the Finger Lakes region. Teams are expected to come to Rochester for select weeks and to also participate virtually during their time in the accelerator. All told, since its inception, Luminate NY has invested $18 million in 63 startups. The companies in the portfolio now share a net worth of more than $650 million. In addition to providing an estimated 1.5 to 2 times return on investment, many of the companies are establishing U.S. operations or some aspect of research and manufacturing in the Rochester region, which has resulted in 164 jobs. The Finger Lakes Region is home to an incredibly rich ecosystem of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business. Rochester offers the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics' Test, Assembly, and Packaging facility at Eastman Business Park, the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and more than 150 local OPI companies which employ over 17,000 employees. State Senator Jeremy Cooney, said, “I am proud to see SunDensity completing their journey from incubation to grand opening right here in the heart of Downtown Rochester. They are helping us to write the next chapter in our region’s rich history of innovation, while creating jobs for our community. I am grateful to them for not just choosing Rochester, but for continuing to invest and expand here.” State Assemblymember Harry Bronson, said, "SunDensity’s decision to move to Rochester demonstrates that we have the skilled workforce they require to scale their operations. It also reinforces why the Luminate NY competition is key to attracting diverse, cutting-edge industries to our area, which will go far to further our goal of improving equity in our economic and workforce development initiatives. Thank you SunDenisity for choosing Rochester!” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, said, “SunDensity’s expansion is a shining example of Monroe County’s position as a clean energy technology hub and our commitment to investing in economic development. Monroe County congratulates SunDensity on this impressive new facility and is grateful for Governor Hochul, Empire State Development and Luminate NY’s support to help innovative companies like SunDensity grow in our community.” City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, said, “The grand opening of SunDensity in Rochester’s Center City clearly demonstrates the benefit of Empire State Development’s decision to establish the Luminate NY high-tech business incubator in our Downtown Innovation Zone and position our region as the optics, photonics and imaging capital of the world. I want to thank Dr. Sonwalker and his team for making this investment in our city and wish them and their employees well as they grow and thrive here. I remain grateful to Governor Hochul and the work of Empire State Development through Finger Lakes Forward for supporting our efforts to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone.” For additional information about SunDensity, visit: https://www.sundensity.net/. For additional information about Luminate NY, visit: luminate.org. Contact: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313