Village of Cooperstown to Receive $4.5 Million; Villages of Sharon Springs and Dolgeville to Receive $2.25 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 Village of Cooperstown will receive $4.5 million, and the Villages of Sharon Springs and Dolgeville will each receive $2.25 million in funding as the Mohawk Valley 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. "Ensuring small towns and cities have the resources they need to thrive is critical to New York's economic resurgence," Governor Hochul said. "These investments will help the Village of Cooperstown, Sharon Springs, and Dolgeville 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 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.

Fourteen Projects Across the State Will Leverage More Than $6.3 Million in Public/Private Funding to Support More Than 3,700 Trainees for Over 100 Business Partners Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development has awarded more than $7 million in grants to fourteen projects across the state through the second round of the Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance Grant Programs. These grants will support the training of more than 3,700 workers through collaboration between training providers and more than 100 employer partners in fields like advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and construction. The Office, which operates under Empire State Development, is charged with supporting workforce development programs and practices to ensure New Yorkers are prepared to meet the needs and priorities of today's employers. "The most important investment we can make is in the people of New York," Governor Hochul said. "Our new Office of Strategic Workforce Development will support the needs of New York's businesses while providing resources to training programs that are removing long-standing barriers to the training and skills necessary to thrive in the workforce of the future." The first round of awards for the Office of Strategic Workforce Development which was announced late last year, awarded more than $6 million and will leverage more than $4 million in public/private funding and support nearly 3,000 trainees for over 100 business partners. The grants awarded to fourteen projects today will support employer-driven, high-skilled workforce training programs and reward innovative approaches and best practices that reduce the barriers to participation for high-need communities. The $35 million Capital Grant Program will support the capital needs of workforce training providers that seek to enhance or expand their offerings. The $115 million Pay for Performance Grant Program has two funding tracks: Flexible Operating Grants that help providers cover programmatic expenses like curriculum development and wraparound services to prepare New Yorkers with in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials; and Capacity-Building Awards, a data- and metrics-driven approach to scale up proven workforce training programs actively placing graduates in good jobs. Using achievement-based awards, workforce training providers will receive funding to expand the capacity of successful programs with high placement rates and effective wraparound services. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Our Office of Strategic Workforce Development is making smart and strategic investments in programs that will provide New York State's workforce with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing business climate. By focusing on in demand skills and trades that are needed today as well as tomorrow, we are providing essential building blocks that are needed now and for future generations. " Read the full press release here.

Budget Includes $211 Million for Department of Transportation Capital Projects; $113 Million for Local Road and Pothole Repairs Includes $100 Million Investment to Help University at Buffalo Significantly Increase its Research Activity by 2030 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 Western 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. "As a Buffalo native, I am proud to say that brighter days are ahead for Western New York," Governor Hochul said. "Through these critical investments in housing, education, and infrastructure, I'm committed to securing a budget that delivers for the region. Together, we will make Western New York more prosperous, more affordable, more livable and safer for the next generation of New Yorkers." 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.

Budget Includes Over $151 Million for Department of Transportation Capital Projects in the Southern Tier; Over $23 Million for Local Road and Pothole Repairs Includes $50 Million for Binghamton University to Continue Establishing Hub for Battery Technology Innovation 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 Southern Tier 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.    “Through these transformative investments in housing, innovation, education, and infrastructure, we are building a better, brighter future for everyone who lives in the Southern Tier,” Governor Hochul said. “With this funding, cities and towns across the region can revitalize their neighborhoods, create more opportunity for New Yorkers, and make their communities safer, more affordable, and more livable to ensure everyone has the opportunity to pursue the New York Dream.”  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.