All
Success Stories
Filter Options
Close
3292
items
Press Release
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - 1:00pm
Villages of Montour Falls and Waverly to Receive $4.5 Million Each
New $100 Million NY Forward Program Builds on Momentum of the Successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative to Support a More Equitable Downtown Recovery for New York’s Smaller and Rural Communities
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Villages of Montour Falls and Waverly will each receive $4.5 million in funding as the Southern Tier region winners of the first round of NY Forward. Building on the momentum of the State’s successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same “Plan-then-Act” strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns.
“Montour Falls and Waverly represent some of the best that New York State has to offer: natural beauty, a vibrant business community, thriving agriculture, and culturally rich historical sites,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to NY Forward, these communities will be able to leverage these assets and state funding to revitalize their downtowns, welcome even more workers and businesses, and transform their Main Streets into regional destinations. My administration remains committed to investing in local economies like these to give residents the jobs, the tools, and the infrastructure needed to thrive."
NY Forward is a central component of the State’s economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York’s downtowns. NY Forward serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. NY Forward communities are walkable, less dense areas that serve the immediate local community, and are more local in nature – focusing on the immediately surrounding residential or rural agricultural centric development.
Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown through a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support smaller communities that may have less capacity as part of the NY Forward program and fund projects appropriately scaled to the size of each community. Projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.
Read the full press release here.
Press Release
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - 12:00pm
Downtown Revitalization Investments are a Critical Part of the State's Comprehensive Economic Development and Community Growth Strategy
State to Work with Residents, Community Leaders and Public Officials to Revitalize Johnson City's Downtown
Traducción al español
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Village of Johnson City will receive $10 million in funding as the Southern Tier winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. For DRI Round 6, each of the state's 10 economic development regions are being awarded $10 million, to make for a total state commitment of $100 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.
“New York’s downtowns are the lifeblood of our communities,” Governor Hochul said. "This $10 million in funding awarded to the Village of Johnson City will help grow the local economy by attracting businesses and jobs, and will create a vibrant, diverse community that will uplift the downtown for generations to come."
The DRI serves as a component of the State's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that oer a high quality of life and attract businesses, jobs and economic and housing diversity. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identies a list of signature projects that have transformative potential and leverage further private and public investments. The Department of State will then award DRI funds to selected projects with the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and realize the community's vision.
Read the full press release here.
Press Release
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 5:03pm
Budget Includes $250 Million to Fund Housing Infrastructure; $20 Million for Planning Assistance
Includes $240 Million in Department of Transportation Capital Projects and $27 Million for Local Road Repairs
Traducción al español
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced details of key proposals from her Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget to grow jobs and boost the economy in the Mid-Hudson Region of New York. In line with the 2023 State of the State, the budget includes a major investment to increase housing supply and expand economic opportunity and innovation in the region.
"These significant investments in housing, education, and infrastructure in the Mid-Hudson region are critical to lifting up the local community and economy," Governor Hochul said. "This funding is building on efforts already underway to ensure the region is safe, affordable, and resilient to the challenges of the future -- creating a more prosperous Mid-Hudson region for generations to come."
Several of the budget proposals Governor Hochul announced today are in line with the Economic Innovation Plan announced in the 2023 State of the State to grow jobs and businesses by expanding economic opportunity and innovation across New York State through targeted investments, business support and other programming aimed at high-growth industries. The Governor's budget includes several initiatives to invest in higher education and improve local attractions across the state.
Read the full press release here.
Press Release
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 3:41pm
Downtown Revitalization Investments are a Critical Part of the State's Comprehensive Economic Development and Community Growth Strategy
State to Work with Residents, Community Leaders and Public Officials to Revitalize Downtown Port Jervis
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the City of Port Jervis will receive $10 million in funding as the Mid-Hudson Region winner of the sixth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. For DRI Round 6, each of the state's 10 economic development regions are being awarded $10 million, to make for a total state commitment of $100 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.
"Our Downtown Revitalization Initiative is helping communities across New York reinvigorate their downtowns, jumpstart their economies, and attract the businesses and jobs that allow residents to thrive," Governor Hochul said. "With this award, the City of Port Jervis will begin a new chapter toward revitalizing its downtown and growing its local economy as a scenic destination for community members and visitors alike."
The DRI serves as a component of the State's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity that oer a high quality of life and attract businesses, jobs and economic and housing diversity. Like past DRI rounds, each selected community will develop a strategic plan through a bottom-up, community-based planning process that articulates a vision for the revitalization of its downtown and identies a list of signature projects that have transformative potential and leverage further private and public investments. The Department of State will then award DRI funds to selected projects with the greatest potential to jumpstart revitalization and realize the community's vision. As part of the FY 24 Executive Budget, Governor Hochul has proposed $100 million to fund an additional round of DRI.
Read the full press release here.
Press Release
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 3:35pm
Village of Sleepy Hollow and Town of Cornwall to Receive $4.5 Million Each
New $100 Million NY Forward Program Builds on Momentum of the Successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative to Support a More Equitable Downtown Recovery for New York’s Smaller Communities
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Village of Sleepy Hollow, and the Town of Cornwall and the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, will each receive $4.5 million in funding as the two Mid-Hudson Region winners of the first round of NY Forward. Building on the momentum of the state’s successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same “Plan-then-Act” strategy as DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities. During NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to smaller communities in each of the state’s ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns. As part of the FY24 Executive Budget, Governor Hochul has proposed $100 million to fund an additional round of NY Forward.
“We are helping small towns and cities across our state build a better future for New Yorkers through our NY Forward program,” Governor Hochul said. “These awards will help the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Town of Cornwall and the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson develop their downtowns, improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, and create new jobs and attract businesses to expand economic opportunity across the region.”
NY Forward is a component of the State’s economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York’s downtowns. The program serves smaller communities with historic character that distinguishes them from the larger, more urban central business districts typically funded through DRI. NY Forward communities are walkable, less dense areas that serve the immediate local community, and are more local in nature - focusing on the immediately surrounding residential or rural agricultural centric development.
Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown through a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support smaller communities that may have less capacity as part of the NY Forward program and fund projects appropriately scaled to the size of each community. Projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.
Read the full press release here.
Press Release
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 2:27pm
Complements the New York Housing Compact - Governor's Proposal to Address New York's Housing Crisis and Build 800,000 Units in the Next Decade
Learn More and Receive Program Updates Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced details of the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, a $150 million funding initiative specifically for mixed-use housing and infrastructure projects throughout the Mid-Hudson Region, to help communities meet growing infrastructure needs in light of the recent, region-wide population increase brought on by the pandemic. Together, the Governor's budget proposals and the new Fund, to be implemented by Empire State Development, represent major commitments to the Mid-Hudson region that will increase the housing supply to meet growing demand and invest in key infrastructure projects in the region.
"As one of the most picturesque and historic areas in New York, the Mid-Hudson region has been a crown jewel for our state that has driven our economy and welcomed new residents and visitors for years," Governor Hochul said. "The new Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund will help to ensure that the region can continue to serve as a destination for families, workers, businesses, and tourists by helping to address the housing shortage, creating an equitable housing supply, and growing local infrastructure where communities need it most."
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "With the implementation of Governor Hochul's Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, residents, employees and tourists will have more choices for where they choose to live, work and visit. The Fund will incentivize the development of much needed, mixed-use and infrastructure projects, improving the overall quality of life in the region."
Read the full press release here.
Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - 2:00pm
Postponed – To Be Rescheduled
With videoconferencing to: Empire State Development, 633 Third Avenue – 36th Floor Conference Room, New York, New York 10017
This meeting is open to the public.
Please Note:
Those attending at either location must RSVP by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 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 item in writing to [email protected] by 9:00 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2022.
All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted online.
Board Meeting
Thursday, February 16, 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, February 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, February 15, 2023.
All comments received by the deadline will be distributed to the Directors prior to the meeting and will be posted online.
Blog Post
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 - 4:15pm
During Black History Month, we’re spotlighting one of the six Entrepreneurs of the Year honored at the Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EAC) 2022 conference. Read the profile below to find out more about how the EACs can help New Yorkers start and grow their businesses: esd.ny.gov/entrepreneurship-assistance-centers
Joy lloegbu asked herself if she could ever build a million-dollar home care agency with a voice that sounds different. Iloegbu, who grew up in Nigeria, fell off a chair when she was a baby and split her tongue, leaving her unable to speak for nearly six years. She eventually regained her voice but was left with a lifelong speech impediment that made it difficult for people to understand her. Her childhood experience made her determined to work “150% harder,” and not to allow her impediment to prevent her from becoming a success. Later on, after graduating Molloy College’s nursing program as an honors student, Iloegbu eventually became a critical care nurse in a hospital ICU. While her impediment prevented her from obtaining further training as a nurse practitioner, she persevered, eventually finding a position as a nurse manager in a hospital’s critical care and telemetry unit.
Iloegbu has since found her new voice, setting the tone as an entrepreneur and owner of her own home care agency, Joy Professional Home Care Services. The Long Island company, based in Baldwin, N.Y., provides intentional and compassionate companion care for hospice patients, describing its care model as one grounded in joy, peace and happiness. In addition to hospice, Iloegbu also provides care for clients with the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and for geriatric patients, most of them aged 80 or older. Making the change from working as a nurse manager to becoming an entrepreneur was a significant step for Iloegbu.
In 2017, she joined the Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) at Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) to tighten her business plan and become MWBE-certified, which further broadened her growth opportunities. With the EAC’s guidance on both, she grew her business revenue from $30,000 to $300,000. The business also grew from a solo operation to one with 15 employees. Iloegbu describes the technical assistance support provided to her by the EAC as “magical."
Iloegbu believes minority entrepreneurs are stronger and more agile when working with the support of umbrella institutions like the EAC and New York State’s MWBE Certification programs. She consistently makes time to speak and mentor new entrepreneurs at Suffolk County Community College.
The first thing that came to mind when Iloegbu thought about creating her own home care agency was, “How am I going to present myself and convince people that I am capable of this?” Now, her work clearly speaks for itself.
Press Release
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 - 4:00pm
Far Rockaway to Receive $4.5 Million
New $100 Million NY Forward Program Builds on Momentum of the Successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative to Support Equitable Recovery
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Far Rockaway will receive $4.5 million in funding as one of the New York City region winners of the first round of NY Forward. Building on the momentum of the state's successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the $100 million NY Forward program adopts the same "Plan-then-Act" strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York's communities. As part of NY Forward Round One, two to three awards will be made to communities in each of the state's ten economic development regions to support development and implementation of a revitalization plan for their downtowns.
"New York's smaller towns and cities are the heartbeat of our state,” Governor Hochul said. "Through NY Forward, my administration is building on the continued success of our Downtown Revitalization Initiative to ensure these communities have the resources they need to reach their full potential. I'm proud to announce Far Rockaway will receive $4.5 million from this initiative to support locally-led projects that will enhance the downtown's beauty and help the community thrive."
NY Forward is a central component of the State's economic development efforts, working together with DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of New York's downtowns and commercial corridors. NY Forward communities serve the immediate local residents and are more local in nature, as opposed to communities typically funded through DRI that focus on amenities and attractions that serve the regional community. For the New York City region, NY Forward communities are BID-scale business districts where projects are developed with input from local residents.
Like DRI, each NY Forward community will develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of readily implementable projects. The Department of State will provide enhanced technical assistance to better support those communities with less internal capacity as part of the NY Forward program and fund projects appropriately scaled to the size of each community. Projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that elevate specific cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm.
Read the full press release here.