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Board Meeting

Thursday, October 5, 2023 - 11:00am
New York Transportation Development Corporation Directors Meeting Empire State Development , 633 Third Avenue New York – NYC Office 37th Floor Conference Room Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. This meeting is open to the public. Webcasting of the meeting is available by clicking the link below. Due to building procedures, members of the public attending in-person should please RSVP by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 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 12:00 pm on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted on-line.
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Press Release

Thursday, September 28, 2023 - 3:27pm
Outlines State’s Goals and Priorities for $664 Million Allocation for Broadband Deployment Link to Plan Here Empire State Development’s (ESD) ConnectALL Office today released its five-year action plan, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and lays out a broad framework for the implementation of New York’s allocation of $664 million from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The plan, required under the federal program, describes how to most effectively invest New York’s allocation in ways that will attract private investment and reach unserved and underserved locations with a mix of fiber optic and wireless internet technologies. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Investments in ensuring New York has affordable, equitable and reliable broadband throughout the entire state is vital to our economic success. This five-year plan outlines how to best capitalize on the federal funding New York State has been allocated and allows us to continue our efforts to bridge the gap for unserved and underserved areas across the state.”    This comprehensive plan aligns with Governor Hochul’s commitment to affordable, reliable, accessible broadband for all residents across the state by prioritizing BEAD funding for ESD’s ConnectALL Deployment and Rural Broadband Program which will provide grants to internet service providers to bring service to unserved locations in the state and addresses how to complement these grants with other investments to increase consumer choice and promote broadband adoption. Additionally, the plan presents initial results from the ConnectALL Office’s digital equity survey of New York residents, which surveyed more than 5,700 people across every region of the state, was conducted from May to July 2023 and was the first ever comprehensive assessment of the digital divide in New York, encompassing both infrastructure and non-infrastructure barriers to broadband adoption. Findings from the survey reveal that New Yorkers in urban and rural areas face many of the same challenges in getting online: Both rural and urban respondents of the survey have difficulty paying for the internet each month in addition to their monthly expenses; 44% of urban respondents indicated difficulty paying, and 41% of rural respondents indicated difficulty paying. The survey demonstrated that accessibility of internet-enabled devices is close to equal among respondents from urban and rural geographies; 9.5% of urban respondents and 10.4% of rural respondents said that they did not have access to internet-enabled devices they needed at home. Regardless of their background, New Yorkers are concerned about their safety and security online. On average, nearly 90% of respondents reported feeling either somewhat concerned or very concerned about their online safety. ESD’s ConnectALL Office will address these challenges through a Digital Equity Grant Program and will present the full results of the study and the details of that program in a Digital Equity Plan, which it will make available for public comment this Fall. The BEAD 5 Year Action Plan also notes that the cost of building new fiber infrastructure to the 114,377 unserved addresses identified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be $1.9 billion. ESD’s ConnectALL Office is now working on a detailed proposal to NTIA, which will be put out for public comment in the Fall and will describe how to most effectively invest the $664 million to attract private investment and reach those locations with a mix of fiber optic and wireless technologies. Contact: Kristin Devoe | [email protected] | 518-414-1087 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | 800-260-7313
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Press Release

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 - 5:03pm
Oculi Receives $1 Million in Investment; Five Additional Companies Secure Follow-on Investments Applications Now Being Accepted for Round 7 of the Optics, Photonics, and Imaging Competition until January 8, 2024 NYS Investment Complements "Finger Lakes Forward" – the Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Photo and Video of Luminate NY Competitors Available Here Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Oculi as the winner of Round Six of the Luminate NY optics, photonics, and imaging startup accelerator competition. Baltimore, Maryland-based Oculi received the "Company of the Year" Award at Luminate Finals 2023, which was held live at Innovation Square in downtown Rochester, and online. The company will receive $1 million in investment from New York State through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. Oculi will use the follow-on funding to move its headquarters to Rochester, and to scale operations for mass production, expanding sales, and for developing advanced versions of its products. Luminate NY, which is administered by NextCorps, is the world's largest business accelerator for emerging companies that have technologies enabled by optics, photonics, and imaging. The Finals event marks the completion of the sixth year of the cohort-based program, which now has over 50 companies in its portfolio. As required by the award, all winners of the competition will commit to establishing operations in the region for at least the next 18 months. “Thanks to Luminate NY, our state will continue to lead the nation on cutting-edge technological research,” Governor Hochul said. "The winners of the competition’s sixth round represent some of world’s most innovative businesses that are bringing transformative products in optics, photonics and the imaging supply chain to market. I congratulate this year’s winners, and remain committed to supporting the fast-growing, high-tech businesses and industries that will move New York forward.” Oculi is redefining computer and machine vision with the world’s first smart programmable vision sensor, the Oculi SPU™ (Sensing and Processing Unit). It combines the efficiency of biology—more specifically the human eye—and the speed of machines to make computer vision faster and more efficient. By embedding intelligence in the sensor at the pixel level, the innovative chip has the power to transform smart devices across homes, offices, and vehicles. Oculi’s SPU is ideal for visual intelligence at the edge, such as gesture tracking, facial recognition, and low latency eye tracking. Read the full press release here.
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Press Release

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 - 4:55pm
Project Features 28 Affordable Housing Units and Free Head Start Child Education Program One Of 11 Projects For Buffalo's $10 Million Broadway-Fillmore Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award, See Renderings Here Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction for 950 Broadway LLC in East Buffalo. The $13.5 million project, by Cedarland Development LLC, will renovate and convert a 50,000 square foot, vacant and underutilized building in East Buffalo into a mixed-use development, featuring 28 affordable housing units, a free Head Start child education program and a proposed indoor urban farm. The building has been unused for 18 years, with portions of the building being vacant for decades prior. Once complete, the renovated 950 Broadway will bring new life to the former retail store-turned-office building near one of the most visible intersections in East Buffalo. Governor Hochul previously announced 950 Broadway LLC was chosen with 10 other transformational projects in Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood as part of a $10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award. “The groundbreaking for 950 Broadway today is a new beginning for this long vacant, prominent structure in East Buffalo,” Governor Hochul said. “Once a blight on the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood, the historic building will now be a community anchor and catalyst for economic development. Homes will be made here, and we look forward to welcoming new neighbors to the Buffalo community.” Located at the corner of Broadway and Fillmore, the former Eckhardt’s and Kobacker’s department store will contain 28 affordable apartments and a Head Start children’s education program run by the Community Action Organization. An indoor urban farm has been proposed for the building’s basement. Apartments in the building will include ten studio apartments,12 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units. Buffalo’s Broadway-Fillmore was a DRI winner in Round 5. Located in East Buffalo and one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, the Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood is the focus of Buffalo’s plan for a downtown investment. The Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood, with a relatively dense stock of largely historic commercial buildings, set forth a vision of creating special urban places, key park spaces, retail-oriented streets, improved neighborhood connections, bike and pedestrian connections, streetscape improvements, and public realm improvements. Building on this momentum, Buffalo aims to encourage more redevelopment of vacant structures, provide better connections between anchors and amenities through greenspace, increase affordable housing opportunities, and enhance the streetscape. To assist Cedarland, New York State is providing a loan valued at $900,000 and grant valued at $1.1 million from Empire State Development’s Better Buffalo Fund to support the commercial renovations and building’s stabilization. Additionally, the project was awarded a $427,150 grant for the buildout of the daycare facilities through the Department of State’s Round 5 Downtown Revitalization Initiative for the Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood. New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is providing $2.1 million in construction and permanent financing toward the affordable housing portion of the project through its Small Building Participation Loan Program. The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) is providing a $7.8 million construction loan, as well as a $3.2 million SONYMA-insured permanent loan financed through its partnership with the New York State Common Retirement Fund. In addition to the developer’s contributions, over $2.9 million in Historic Tax Credit Equity and additional incentives from National Grid round out the project’s sources. The State of New York Mortgage Agency’s Insurance Fund is providing mortgage insurance on CPC’s permanent financing. Read the full press release here.
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Board Meeting

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 - 11:00am
With videoconferencing to: Empire State Development, 633 Third Avenue, 37th Floor Conference Room, New York, NY 10017 This meeting is open to the public. Webcasting of the meeting is available by clicking the link below. Due to building procedures, those wishing to attend at any of these locations must RSVP by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. RSVP press line (800) 260 -7313; RSVP public line (212) 803-3772. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda items in writing to [email protected] by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted online.
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Press Release

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 2:36pm
Site RFP Requires Significant Commitments for Permanently Affordable and Supportive Housing and Prioritizes Services and Amenities for the Local Community Project Aligns with Governor Hochul’s Executive Actions to Redevelop State-Owned Sites That Can Increase New York’s Housing Supply View Request for Proposals Here, Due December 13 by 5 p.m. ET Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a request for proposals to redevelop the former Bayview Correctional Facility, located at 550 West 20th Street in West Chelsea, Manhattan into a primarily residential development providing supportive housing, affordable housing, and onsite community uses that will benefit area residents and reintegrate the structure into the surrounding neighborhood. Applicants can view the Request for Proposals document here and submit a proposal to Empire State Development by December 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET. "By reimagining the Bayview facility as affordable housing, we are not only creating more housing options for New Yorkers – we are expanding the possibilities of what former prisons and other unused state properties can become,” Governor Hochul said. "New York’s future depends on increasing the state’s housing supply, and between the recommendations of the Prison Redevelopment Commission and executive actions I announced earlier this year, our state is taking leaps forward to repurpose these vacant facilities and leverage them as critical tools to address the housing crisis.” The state-owned 100,000 square-foot site is an opportunity to aggressively advance Governor Hochul’s unprecedented efforts to increase the state’s housing supply, particularly in New York City. Built in 1931, the art deco brick masonry building became a state-run medium-security women’s correctional facility in 1974, that was eventually closed due to flooding sustained during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Recognizing that the West Chelsea neighborhood has a critical shortage of affordable housing options, the redevelopment of Bayview will be a key catalyst for inclusive and sustainable urban development, provide much needed housing for New Yorkers who require services within a supportive living environment, and enhance neighborhood vibrancy and quality of life for residents in the surrounding area. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The Bayview Correctional Center's redevelopment offers a unique, forward-thinking opportunity to address New York’s long-term economic and housing priorities. Inspired by Governor Hochul’s unwavering commitment to enhance affordability in New York, this RFP aims to maximize the creation of both affordable and supportive housing, and address real needs expressed by the community.” Read the full press release here.
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Press Release

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 2:33pm
Wendel Will Lead Governor's Plans To Improve Access to Buffalo's Waterfront, Including Transformational Redevelopment of North Aud Block ECHDC Board also Approved Contracts to Advance Longshed Building Improvements in Buffalo to Provide a Better Visitor Experience Governor Kathy Hochul today congratulated Mark Wendel on being named the new president of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. Wendel will lead the state entity that supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside and the Outer Harbor in Buffalo and work to attract critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. The ECHDC Board of Directors met today and appointed Wendel as president of the corporation. Today’s appointment is the latest milestone in a series of announcements by Governor Hochul to improve access to Buffalo's waterfront through the acceleration of significant projects and supporting the transformational redevelopment of Canalside's North Aud Block. “Mark Wendel is a dedicated public servant and Western New Yorker with the talent, experience, and commitment to bring our vision for the region to life,” Governor Hochul said. “With Mark on board at ECHDC, we’re ready to take Buffalo’s waterfront to the next level as a destination for residents and visitors and a catalyst for economic development. I look forward working with him and ECHDC as we continue to break ground, transform the waterfront, and boost the local economy as part of our mission to drive the region forward.” A Western New York native, Wendel, pictured here, is a registered architect with experience in urban planning, design, and economic development. He has been an employee of the corporation since 2019 and succeeds Steve Ranalli, who earlier this year was named President of the Erie County Stadium Corporation. Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation President Mark Wendel said, “I am excited to continue the development projects and improve waterfront access for the public at both Canalside and the Outer Harbor. Steve did a wonderful job continuing to create both locations as a family destination and I look forward to working with Governor Hochul to build on that success.” Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairman Robert Gioia said, “The ECHDC Board is excited to welcome Mark Wendel into the role as ECHDC President. Mark is an accomplished professional with a true capacity to effectively advance the mission of ECHDC. That being said, I also want to thank Steve Ranalli for his decade-plus commitment to ECHDC and acknowledge the remarkable progress we’ve seen under his leadership. When he began his role at ECHDC, the Aud was being demolished and the Outer Harbor was a blank slate that few even knew existed, much less visited. Today the North Aud Block is being fully built out and transformed into a mixed-use, urban space. The Outer Harbor now has new amenities, interconnected trails, and we are in the process of redeveloping the terminals – all which bring recreation and tourism to the water’s edge.” Read the full press release here. 
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Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 - 10:00am
With videoconferencing to: Empire State Development, 633 Third Avenue – 37th Floor Conference Room, New York, New York 10017 The meeting is open to the public. Please Note: Those attending at either location must RSVP by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. RSVP press line (800) 260-7313; RSVP Buffalo press line (716) 846-8239; RSVP public line (212) 803-3772 The public may listen to the meeting via webcast by clicking the link below. Members of the public may submit comments on the Agenda items in writing to [email protected] by 9:00 am on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted online.
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Press Release

Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 3:36pm
First-Ever Japan-led Sake Brewery to Open on U.S. East Coast in Hyde Park Partnership with The Culinary Institute of America to Develop Curriculum, Certification Programs and Public Classes Governor Kathy Hochul today announced premium sake maker Dassai, celebrated the opening of their $80 million, 55,000 square foot, state-of-the-art brewery and tasting room in Hyde Park, Dutchess County, and the launch of their new U.S. brand, Dassai Blue. Over the past thirty years, Dassai has experienced exponential growth in Japan, the U.S. and globally. Opening their New York brewery is their latest expansion into the global sake market. “New York’s craft beverage manufacturers are engines for job creation, tourism, and regional economic growth,” Governor Hochul said. “Dassai’s expansion into the Mid-Hudson Region builds on New York’s national and international leadership in agribusiness and will be a welcome addition to this industry.” To encourage Dassai’s growth in New York, Empire State Development offered the Japan-based brewery up to $588,235 in performance-based tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program. Dassai has invested more than $80 million in the facility and will create 32 new jobs. A Junmai Daiginjo-only sake, Dassai is considered the highest level of premium sake. Made from 100 percent Yamada Nishiki rice, the gold standard of sake rice, Dassai still utilizes craft sake methods, making sake batch-by-batch, using handmade koji, and fermenting in each small tank. However, the brand also employs detailed analysis and technology to achieve its delicious taste and premium quality. Sake breweries that only produce such premium sake are rare even in Japan, with Dassai Blue becoming the first of its kind in the U.S. The Sakurai’s named their new creation “Dassai Blue,” which comes from an old Japanese proverb that says, “indigo dye is bluer than the indigo plant from which it is derived”. The Dassai Blue property, located at 5 St Andrew Rd in Hyde Park, consists of two buildings: the brewery and a rice polishing facility, both of which were designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and their Japanese partner, Jun Mitsui. The interior is designed with both beauty and function in mind, welcoming visitors to observe the brewing process through multiple windows looking into various production rooms. The exterior design mixes modern and traditional, as seen in the tin roof and the burnt cedar walls of the rice mill. The use of wood incorporates Japanese elements while still blending with the natural surroundings of Hyde Park. Read the full press release here.
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Board Meeting

Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 9:30am
The meeting is open to the public. The public may also view and 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, September 20, 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, September 20, 2023. All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will posted online.
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