Empire State Development Reports
ESD is dedicated to sharing information about its work with the public. In this Reports section, you can find many of the quarterly and annual reports that we provide each year, detailing key New York State economic development projects and initiatives.
In addition to the reports published below, you may also wish to explore ESD's Database of Economic Incentives, which provides a dynamic, user-friendly, searchable database of economic development projects that receive ESD support, or the 100+ economic development-related datasets available at data.ny.gov.
Additional information is provided through reports published by our 10 Regional Economic Development Councils at regionalcouncils.ny.gov, as well as in the comprehensive archive of public meeting videos and materials published in the ESD Media Center.
Empire State Development strives for a transparent, navigable and accessible web presence. Older documents may be available via FOIL at the following link.
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Press Release
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 12:58pm
New York’s Tourism Industry Generated More Than $78.6 Billion in Direct Spending and $123 Billion in Total Economic Impact in 2022 – Exceeding Previous Record From 2019
Follows Governor's “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” Initiative and Transformative Local Investments to Accelerate New York’s Pandemic Recovery
2022 Tourism Reports Available Online Here
Traducción al español
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State welcomed a record 291.5 million visitors in 2022, the largest number of visitors in New York State’s history, generating more than $78.6 billion in direct spending and $123 billion in total economic impact. These figures represent staggering increases over 2021 and surpass the previous records set in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, following the Governor’s historic investments in tourism, economic development, public safety, transportation, and other key sectors. The data, released today in a series of reports by Tourism Economics, is available here.
“New York’s pandemic recovery has been one for the history books, and by welcoming an unprecedented 291 million visitors and generating billions of dollars in direct investment to our state, we’re writing the next chapter in our success story,” Governor Hochul said. “In the three years since the pandemic ground tourism to a halt, we have made transformative investments to uplift businesses, support workers in tourism and hospitality, and build a stronger, more welcoming New York. Now, from bustling New York City to the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains, visitors are confirming what we’ve known all along – New York is the place to be. Tourism continues to be an important driver behind our state’s economy, and my administration is committed to boosting the industry to make sure that visitors from around the world can see all that New York has to offer.”
Last year, the statewide economic impact of tourism reached a record-high $123 billion, representing a four percent increase over the $117.6 billion impact of 2019. Direct visitor spending was also up seven percent from 2019, growing to $79 billion from the previous record-high $73.6 billion. New York State also saw a 10% bump in visitation, with 291.5 million travelers compared to 266.7 million visitors in 2019. The year-over-year increases from 2021 to 2022 were overwhelming, with a 22% increase in visitation, over 50% gain in spending, and a more than 43% jump in economic impact. Additionally, the average New York State households saved $1,300 in taxes due to state and local tax revenues generated by tourism.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Tourism supports our small businesses and is vital to the economic sustainability of our state and regional economies. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, we continue to rebuild and grow this important industry through targeted investments and strategic efforts that invite and welcome visitors from around the world to explore and experience New York State."
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "The fact that New York State tourism has bounced back so strongly and quickly from the devastation of COVID is a testament to the collaborative efforts between New York State government and its public and private tourism partners. Even with some regional nuances, and some travel segments still trailing their pre-pandemic levels, this shows what can be achieved through a collective focus on the state's vital tourism sector to bring back visitation and spending."
Read the full press release here.
Report
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 8:34am
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Statewide
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Adirondacks
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Capital-Saratoga
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Catskills
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Central New York
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Chautauqua-Allegheny
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Finger Lakes
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Greater Niagara
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Hudson Valley
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Long Island
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - New York City
Economic Impact of Visitors in New York 2022 - Thousand Islands
Press Release
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 - 2:43pm
Enhances the City of Hudson by Creating a Year-Round, Multi-Use Destination, Complementing the City’s Waterfront
All-Electric Heating and Cooling Systems, Energy Efficiency Upgrades, and Onsite Solar Arrays to Lower Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Costs
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the Red Barn in Hudson, Columbia County. This new addition to Hudson’s historic waterfront, located in close proximity to Hudson’s train station, will provide visitors with dining and shopping options and includes over $6 million in construction costs for the new Caboose, an event space, a full-service restaurant, Grapefruit Wines retail store, plus spaces for other community activities. The recently completed Red Barn site, created by South Front Street Holdings LLC, offers a dynamic year-round, multi-use space that will amplify and complement other activities on Hudson's waterfront and help to further advance waterfront revitalization for the region.
“The Hudson River is one of New York State’s greatest assets and it is important to make investments that protect and preserve our natural environment while growing the economy in the surrounding communities,” Governor Hochul said. “The Red Barn in Hudson is a perfect example of sustainable construction that protects our environment, and it’s done in a way that will attract more businesses and grow the local tourism economy.”
Located in Hudson's Downtown Revitalization Initiative "BRIDGE District," the site includes a 6,500 square foot historic post and beam Barn building, and the 4,000 square foot Market Building. The Market Building houses Kitty’s Market and Restaurant, which is now joined by the Caboose and Grapefruit Wines in the adjacent Barn Building to create a space that will further activate and enliven Hudson’s waterfront district year-round. The site includes an expansive garden, which serves as the site for a dynamic roster of performances and other community programming.
The opening of Red Barn Hudson caps three years of construction, which transformed the two long neglected buildings in the heart of Hudson’s waterfront. Sustainable redevelopment, utilizing comprehensive green energy measures and rigorously engineered systems to achieve 100% carbon neutral operations for the Barn Building was a key element to the overall site planning. Renovations to the Barn Building included critical weatherization to seal the envelope using structural insulation panels (SIPs) to allow year-round, efficient energy performance with all-electric systems. Honoring the building’s past, the original structure and frame, including the beams, rafters and flooring, were preserved and meticulously restored, and were reused in the new building.
Originally an unconditioned wood structure that sat on cement pilings directly above the ground, similar to residential deck construction, the renovation encompassed significant improvements to rehabilitate and re-purpose this former derelict site with innovative green design, including a completely new foundation with a frost wall and a gravel layer to allow for water flow in the case of flooding, all extensively insulated; exterior walls and roof were removed, and replaced with structural insulation panels; rigorous weatherization to fully seal the thermal enclosure; and the installation of all-electric mechanical and energy systems. Honoring the building’s past, the original structure and frame, including the beams, rafters and flooring, were preserved and meticulously restored, and were reused in the new building. The facility will be powered from clean, renewable energy from onsite solar arrays.
Read the full press release here.
Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 - 11:00am
CANCELLED
Press Release
Friday, September 8, 2023 - 4:26pm
Dunkirk Company Will Invest $13 Million to Expand Warehousing and Distribution Capabilities
Builds on Governor’s Recent Investments to Boost Manufacturing Sector and Expand Economic Opportunity in City of Dunkirk
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Refresco Beverage will acquire a facility in Dunkirk to expand its warehousing and distribution capabilities, thanks to $500,000 in performance-based tax credits and a $500,000 Regional Economic Development Council Capital Grant. The project will support the existing 350 full-time jobs and create an additional 10 full-time jobs over the next five years, providing competitive salaries and benefits.
“By creating and supporting good jobs in Chautauqua County, Refresco’s expansion will build on the company’s long-standing role as a critical part of the region’s economy,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will continue to support important projects like this that invest in the future of New York and help lay the foundation for economic growth for generations to come.”
Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging brands, and retailers with production in Europe, North America, and Australia, and has over 13,000 employees globally. It produces and bottles fruit and vegetable juices, mineral water, iced tea, sports drinks and carbonated beverages, for a total of almost 15 billion liters annually.
The beverage company purchased the long-vacant Kraft and ConAgra building, located at 26 East Talcott Street, from the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency. Built in 1960, the three-story industrial food production facility includes a large warehouse space, office space, cold storage, a tank room, loading docks, and four rail sidings.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Refresco Beverages is a strong partner in the local business community, producing world-class beverages and contributing to the regional economy. Governor Hochul is proud to support this expansion project, which will both create jobs for Chautauqua County and grow the region’s beverage industry.”
Read the full press release here.
Public Notice
Friday, September 8, 2023 - 2:00pm
View all grants to be presented at the batch virtual public hearing.
Board Meeting
Thursday, September 7, 2023 - 11:00am
This meeting is open to the public.
The meeting will be streamed and available at the link below.
Due to building procedures, attendees are asked to RSVP by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6.
RSVP press line (800) 260-7313; RSVP public line (518) 292-5105.
Report
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 - 4:31pm
View report
Press Release
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 - 3:18pm
I LOVE NY's Weekly Fall Foliage Reports Begin Wednesday, September 13; Available at iloveny.com/foliage
Integrated Marketing Campaign Will Encourage Travelers to Explore Seasonal Attractions Throughout New York State
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the start of New York's fall foliage and travel season. Thanks to one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country, autumn is traditionally one of New York's most popular travel times, attracting visitors from around the world who explore the seasonal attractions throughout the state's unique and diverse regions. To encourage and help travelers plan a fall getaway, I LOVE NY will be launching an integrated marketing campaign, and weekly foliage reports return on September 13, with updates issued every Wednesday throughout the season.
ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York's fall foliage and travel season welcomes guests from around the world to eat, experience and explore all that the state offers. Fall travel provides a unique opportunity to enjoy both indoor attractions and outdoor destinations, highlighted by the Empire State’s brilliant and colorful autumn landscape. When travelers visit our communities this fall, they are also adding economic vibrancy in supporting our small businesses and generating new growth that helps regions thrive."
ESD Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "As we welcome the start of the popular fall travel season, I LOVE NY continues to encourage residents and visitors alike to plan a getaway, explore new places and regions, and see for themselves why it's easy to fall in love with New York. Our size and geography mean that each week throughout the fall it is peak foliage somewhere in New York State. When coupled with our amazing array of fall favorite activities like apple and pumpkin picking, visiting wineries and craft beverage producers, hiking, biking, paddling, celebrating Halloween and enjoying outdoor fall festivals, travelers have the makings of an unforgettable autumn trip right here in the Empire State."
New York State traditionally has one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country, thanks in part to its size and geography. I LOVE NY's fall foliage reports are compiled weekly using the on-location field observations from a team of more than 85 volunteers throughout the state's 11 vacation regions. The spotters track color changes in their area by detailing the prevalent leaf colors, and predicting both the percentage of total transition and how much the foliage will have progressed relative to peak conditions for the upcoming weekend. Peak conditions, considered the best that the foliage will look in a given season, generally occur between late September and mid-November, depending on the location.
As part of the report, an interactive foliage map on the I LOVE NY website tracks weekly changes and progression throughout the season. The map offers recommended viewing locations, examples of peak foliage in designated areas, and information about popular local and regional attractions. It also provides an option for users to filter attractions by category, including arts and culture, and food and drink.
The I LOVE NY fall campaign will also be supported by television, digital and social media advertising efforts, featuring examples of the vast variety of locations to experience Fall in New York State. Travelers are invited to share their best New York State foliage photos on social media using the #NYLovesFall hashtag for a chance to be featured on the I LOVE NY website and official social media accounts, reaching more than two million followers on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Threads.
Reports and the interactive foliage map are available at www.iloveny.com/foliage, or toll-free at 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories and Canada.
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 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.
About New York State
New York State is a premier vacation destination with world-class attractions, picturesque natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine and a booming craft beverage scene, an array of accommodations, and iconic, year-round festivals and events. Its 11 diverse vacation regions feature some of the world’s top ranked beaches; two out of America’s top three favorite state parks; breathtaking Niagara Falls; more ski areas than any other state; one of the nation’s longest foliage seasons; multiple Halls of Fame; the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States; and the country’s longest multi-use trail. Add in the state’s unique museums, historic landmarks, cultural sites, charming small towns and urban playgrounds, and it’s no wonder New York has been consistently chosen as a top getaway by travel publications and experts. For more information, visit www.iloveny.com.
Contact:
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313