Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Dr. Donald P. Christian, President of the State University of New York at New Paltz, will be appointed co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) starting in April 2018. Dr. Christian will replace Dr. Dennis J. Murray, Marist College President Emeritus, who has served as MHREDC co-chair since the Council’s inception in 2011. The Mid-Hudson Region includes Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Westchester and Rockland Counties.

“As a current member of the Mid-Hudson REDC, Dr. Donald Christian has already been a true partner in our mission to catalyze vibrant economic growth in the Mid-Hudson Valley and strengthen communities where New Yorkers can live, work, and play,” said ESD President, CEO, and Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “I thank Dr. Dennis Murray for his committed service and leadership over seven rounds of the REDC initiative in the Mid-Hudson region and am confident he leaves the MHREDC in very capable hands. Dr. Donald P. Christian is an excellent choice to build on this region’s successful efforts to create jobs, support local business and spur major infrastructure.”

Incoming MHREDC Co-Chair and SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian said, "As the leader of SUNY New Paltz, the Hudson Valley’s largest public university, I have found my participation in this collaborative effort to build a stronger economy in the region and the state to be extremely rewarding. A strong economy is the foundation of our region’s quality of life. I am humbled and honored by this opportunity, and look forward to working with my Council colleagues, ESD leadership and staff, and other partners to continue this great trajectory.”

MHREDC Co-Chair and Marist College President Emeritus Dennis Murray said, "It has been an honor to serve as the co-chair of the Mid-Hudson REDC for the last seven years. The Governor’s bottom-up approach to economic development has served the region well, and the Council has been successful in achieving positive results for the Mid-Hudson. I have no doubt that this success will continue under Dr. Christian’s leadership."

During his tenure as Co-Chair, Dr. Murray led the MHREDC through seven rounds of the Regional Council initiative, with the Mid-Hudson Region being named a top performer in four of those rounds. Since 2011, the Mid-Hudson Region has received $560.7 million in state resources to support 687 projects across the region.

Dr. Donald P. Christian was appointed the eighth President at the State University of New York at New Paltz in June 2011 after serving as Interim President from 2010-11. Previously, Dr. Christian served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College from 2009-2010. Working in collaboration with internal and external constituencies, the president provides overall leadership and guidance for the College and represents the campus’ interests within the SUNY System, with local, state, and federal-elected officials and surrounding communities, and leads or supports many aspects of the College’s role in SUNY and New York State economic development initiatives.

Prior to his appointment to SUNY New Paltz, Dr. Christian was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, associate dean for the Biological Sciences at the University of Montana and has held several positions at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, including Chair of Biology and Director of Graduate studies in the Biology Graduate Program.

About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative is a key component of Governor Cuomo's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources.

After seven rounds of the REDC process, more than $5.4 billion has been awarded to more than 6,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each regions strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 220,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.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 Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” 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:
Amy Varghese (ESD) | [email protected] | (212) 803-3740
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Partnership with The Culinary Institute of America to Develop Curriculum, Certification Programs, Workshops, Special Events and Tastings

At an event with The Culinary Institute of America, Empire State Development (ESD) President, CEO, & Commissioner Howard Zemsky welcomed premier Japanese sake brewery Asahi Shuzo to the Hudson Valley.  A landmark partnership between Asahi Shuzo and The Culinary Institute of America, the world’s premier culinary college, will establish New York’s largest sake brewery and the first sake brewery in the Hudson Valley. As part of the collaboration, Asahi Shuzo will build its first U.S. brewery in Hyde Park, less than a mile from The CIA campus.  Construction on the new brewery - located at the corner of Route 9 and St. Andrews Road - is anticipated to commence in spring 2018, with a scheduled opening in early 2019. At full capacity, the brewery will produce 332,640 gallons of sake a year.

“New York’s thriving craft beverage community is an engine for job creation, tourism, and regional economic growth,” said ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “Asahi Shuzo’s expansion into the Hudson Valley builds on New York’s national and international leadership in this industry.”

Asahi Shuzo International Co., Ltd., maker of world-renowned DASSAI premium Junmai Daiginjo sake, will collaborate with The CIA to further the education and awareness of sake within the United States. The CIA—with the support of Asahi Shuzo—will develop curriculum, certification programs, workshops, and special events and tastings. 

“Asahi Shuzo International Company is a leader in its field, carefully combining both tradition and cutting-edge technology to craft its premium quality beverage,” said CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “We are honored that they chose to build their first U.S. operation in The CIA’s backyard, and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

“When looking for a site to build our first U.S. brewery, we knew we wanted to differentiate ourselves from other sake brewers,” says Asahi Shuzo Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai. “The proximity to The CIA, located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, is an ideal fit. We are excited to cultivate this new relationship.”

To encourage Asahi Shuzo’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.  Asahi Shuzo will invest more than $28 million in the facility and create 32 new jobs.

The CIA and Asahi Shuzo will also seek research and development opportunities to further identify ways in which sake and the by-product from the sake-making process can be used to expand food flavors and culinary techniques, along with the potential for new lines of sake-based products.

New York State is ranked third in the United States for highest foreign direct investment, with 474,000 New York jobs supported by foreign investments. Japan is the third largest foreign investor into the United States.  

Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State continues to implement legislative and policy changes to capitalize on the soaring consumer demand for locally produced craft beverages and to make it easier to open and run a craft manufacturing business. These improvements include lowering taxes and fees, providing support for research, creating new licenses for farm breweries and cideries, rolling back restrictive regulations, cutting the time it takes to obtain a license in half and overhauling the state's antiquated Alcoholic Beverage Control law. These reforms have led to a 156 percent increase in the number of new farm craft manufacturers since the Governors' first Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit in 2012, growing from 282 licenses in 2012 to 721 today, including 208 farm breweries and 42 farm cideries.

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 Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” 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:
Amy Varghese (ESD) | [email protected] | (212) 803-3740
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Empire State Development today announced that 23 businesses will startup, expand or locate in seven regions across Upstate New York, partnering with local colleges and universities to spur economic growth across the state. These companies have committed to create nearly 300 new jobs and invest approximately $9.8 million over the next five years.

“From life sciences to advanced manufacturing, software development and green-tech, more and more companies are finding New York State is a great place to start or grow their business,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “These businesses have the potential to create hundreds of jobs in throughout Upstate New York in dynamic, innovative industries, while generating millions in revenue for the local economy.”

“As I shared in my inaugural State of the University System address this week, two themes of my vision for the System include innovation and entrepreneurship, and increase and expand partnerships. This is an example of these themes at work,” said SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson. “The partnerships between our campuses and these businesses are producing academic benefits for faculty and students, while simultaneously driving innovation-based economic development in New York State.”

These businesses will create jobs in key industries, including: biotechnology, craft beverage production; computer/information technology; film post-production; high-technology; manufacturing and advanced manufacturing; research and development; software development; and technical and trade school transportation engineering and design.

The 23 companies are sponsored by the following New York State colleges and universities: Adirondack Community College; Binghamton University; Clarkson University; Finger Lakes Community College; Genesee Community College; Hudson Valley Community College; Mount Saint Mary College; Onondaga Community College; Schenectady County Community College; SUNY Cobleskill; SUNY Ulster; and the University at Albany.

The following businesses have joined START-UP NY:

Capital Region
Adirondack Community College:

Brandsight, Inc. is an enterprise domain name registrar company that develops technology solutions to enable the world’s largest brands to manage and optimize their domain name portfolios. Brandsight Inc is developing a new Smart & Intelligent technology that learns which domain names to own and how best to use them based on recurring big data analysis. The company will create 14 new jobs and invest $50,000.

Hudson Valley Community College:

New Ed, Inc. is developing pre-built, but configurable software for educational organizations to help maintain enrollment and growth. New Ed will design and develop innovative user experiences which will be translated into a web application through a Software-as-a Service platform to benefit their clients. New Ed will create 18 new jobs and invest $172,000.

Upstate Concierge Management (UCM) is developing and continues to enhance its unique software technology telecommunications software platform which features: HIPPA compliant messaging services, phone services, secure 2‐way video connections, enrollment and billing, electronic health records and a customizable smart phone application that enables health service providers and medical facilities to operate more efficiently. The company will create 12 new jobs and invest $30,000.

Schenectady County Community College:

KIRSH Helmets, Inc. is a small early stage business expanding to the production phase, and is the only helmet company producing a helmet entirely made in America. KIRSH Helmets uses a patented silicone technology to lessen the impact during crashes and is lighter and smaller than most other helmets. The company will create 13 new jobs and invest $347,000.

University at Albany:

Branch VFX is a new business that provides special effects services to clients and production entities for the television and film industry. Branch VFX is crossing the disciplines of graphic arts and computer science on video to create computer/graphic art work as part of the special effects process of rotoscoping, 3D Tracking and rotomation. The company will create 16 net new jobs and invest $139,000."

SUNY Cobleskill:

454 Fire Training is a technical trade school that provides high quality, experiential education to members of the fire service community. The training program includes extensive live fire-fighting exposure, and classroom instructions for extended learning and continued education. 454 will have live fire demonstration units/buildings that will be constructed for this purpose. 454 Fire Training will create four new jobs and invest $500,000.

Central New York
Onondaga Community College:

454 Fire Training is a technical trade school that provides high quality, experiential education to members of the fire service community. The training program includes extensive live fire-fighting exposure, and classroom instructions for extended learning and continued education. 454 will have live fire demonstration units/buildings that will be constructed for this purpose. 454 Fire Training will create four new jobs and invest $500,000.

Roji Tea Company LLC is a new manufacturing business that will produce bottled teas, baked goods, and tea ware/utensils. Roji Tea takes bulk material of imported and locally sourced herbal teas and hand-mixes them to create new blends. The company will create four new jobs and invest $4,000.

Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes Community College:

Star Cider, LLC is a cider business that sources apples and fresh ingredients solely from New York State. The new production facility will also serve as a research and education center, featuring interactive tours, lecture series and workshops focusing on apple cider production. Star Cider will create five new jobs and invest $295,000.

Genesee Community College:

Tencar Inc. is a new medical device corporation that developed an innovative ostomy tool called “Choice Cap."" The Choice Cap System is a prosthetic appliance for active-lifestyle colostomy and ileostomy patients. The company will create nine new jobs and invest $345,000.

Mid-Hudson
Mount Saint Mary College:

Osborne Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, and markets educational technology products and services for the corporate, education, government, and healthcare e-learning industries. Osborne Technologies products include front of class touch screen teaching applications, multi-touch software, visitor management, access control, sensory and immersive spaces, scent delivery and wireless infrastructure systems designed for schools to enhance safeguarding. The company will create seven new jobs and invest $50,000.

Vuff, LLC is a new advanced manufacturing company that produces pet products, specifically proprietary collars and leashes, from custom OEM components using a variety of techniques such as ultra-sonic plastic welding, laser and hot knife cutting. The company will create 12 new jobs and invest $118,000.

SUNY Ulster:

340Best, Inc. is a software development company that provides customized software and related technical and analytical support to healthcare organizations part of the 340B program, a federal program designed to help lower the cost of healthcare to needy communities. The company will create six new jobs and invest $25,000.

GenEdge Health, Inc. will develop and customize a proprietary software platform to support prescription benefit management (PBM) companies, unions, and other health related companies with managing their health care eligibility needs, clinical patient medical and prescription data analysis, and formulating strategic plans that will lead to better patient outcomes. The company will create three new jobs and invest $10,000.

Mohawk Valley
SUNY Cobleskill:

Asset eXchange Infrastructure (AXI) Systems, Inc. is a new information technology company that will develop and launch a web-based agricultural map and procurement system through which New York State farm, food and other businesses will be able to construct business profiles, interact, and offer products for sale. AXI System employees will provide account management, troubleshooting and clearinghouse services and will implement promotional and educational strategies to encourage system use. The company will create 15 new jobs and invest $45,000.

Digital Gameday (DG) is a SAAS (software as service) product that serves as an online film analysis and exchange system for high school athletic professionals and coaches. The high-tech company provides coaches a data-driven and cloud based approach to film analysis and performance assessment supported by best-in-class personal service. Players can also use DG tools for creating personalized highlight reels for distribution to college recruiters. Digital Gameday will create five new jobs and invest $23,500.

North Country
Clarkson University:

LC Drives, a New York State incubator graduate, is developing and manufacturing the next generation of electric motors that are smaller, lighter, and higher performing than conventional products. Targeted markets include marine propulsion, traction motors, and wind turbine generators. LC Drives will create 20 new jobs and invest $500,000.

Southern Tier
Binghamton University:

AvantGuard Technologies (AGT) is a new software development company that provides its customers with software solutions including monitoring indexing, storage, scaling, application integration, managing, visualizing, aggregating, storing, retrieving, and analyzing and analytics for IT operations and business processes. The company will create 78 new jobs and invest $5.4 million.

Geoweb3d is a software engineering company that provides 3D mapping and visualization solutions for a variety of users, including U.S. Mission Planning for Special Operations and the U.S. Army. One of its products is a built-in web browser that allows for smooth interoperability with cloud and mapping applications such as Google Maps and Google Earth. Geoweb3d will create six new jobs and invest $62,000.

SwiftATN, LLC is a new R&D transit engineering and design company that is developing products and services for the high-growth automated transportation industry. The design uses an electric powered automated transportation system and custom design software for elevated guideways. The systems can be used on campuses, resorts, airports or built as part of a regional transit network. SwiftATN, LLC will initially create 14 net new jobs and invest $150,000.

Oasis Stone Scapes (OSS) is a new manufacturing masonry business that will produce eco-friendly fiberglass reinforced masonry panels. Each panel is precast with a super strength composite and can be installed on a solid surface without the need of a substrate, concrete footing or any additional supports. Panel molds can be created any shape, size or dimension making this technology extremely versatile. OSS will create six new jobs and invest $1.075 million.

DB Therapeutics, Inc. is a new R&D company that is developing a bandage for skin cancer therapy, optimizing its final product and its manufacturing process and controls. DB Therapeutics will coordinate in vitro and in vivo animal and clinical studies, and will pursue FDA approval. The company will create three new jobs and invest $100,000.

Contact:
Jason Conwall | [email protected] | (518) 292-5107
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

As part of Round VII of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC)  was awarded $84.8 million for 113 projects as one of five regional Top Performers. After seven rounds of the Regional Council initiative, the Mid-Hudson Region has received $560.7 million in state resources to support 687 projects across the region. 

MHREDC Chair and Marist College President Emeritus Dennis Murray said, “I am delighted that the Mid-Hudson was chosen a Top Performer for the second year in a row.  This award supports projects ranging from major infrastructure to family-owned businesses. Our work has strengthened the vitality of our region and I’m confident these new projects will make the Mid-Hudson an even better place to live, work, and play.  My thanks to the members of the MHREDC for their good work in putting our plan together, and to the Governor and other elected officials for their support.”

Read the full press release. 

LEGOLAND’s new theme park resort in Goshen, its first in the Northeast, will piece together some solid success in its new home. In addition to its draw for visitors – some 2 million expected each year – the park will be a community partner, with additional building blocks of educational opportunities, STEAM programming and workforce training.  Click here for more information or check out the numbers below:  LEGOLAND’s new theme park resort in Goshen, its its  first in the Northeast, will piece together some solid success in its new home. In addition to its draw for visitors – some 2 million expected each year – the park will be a community partner, with additional building blocks of educational opportunities, STEAM programming and workforce training.  Click here for more information or check out the numbers below: