Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that more than $700 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round VI of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
A centerpiece of the Governor’s strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils were established in 2011 to replace the state’s old top-down approach to economic development, with one that is community-based and performance-driven. The initiative empowers community, business, and academic leaders, as well as members of the public in each region of the state, to develop strategic plans specifically tailored to their region’s unique strengths and resources in order to create jobs, improve quality of life and grow the economy. More information on the 2016 Regional Economic Development Council Awards is available here.
“Through the Regional Economic Development Councils, we have replaced the ‘one-size fits all’ approach to economic growth with a ‘ground-up’ strategy that focuses on cooperation and investing in regional assets to generate opportunity,” Governor Cuomo said. “By bringing together ideas from local government and community leaders with state resources, we are giving these councils the tools to create jobs and drive economic activity in their communities for generations to come. I congratulate the Regional Councils on their awards, and look forward to continuing to work together to build a stronger New York for all.”
“Governor Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative brings together a diverse and talented group of leaders from the business, academic, and not-for-profit sectors to collaborate on transformative projects that are redeveloping our downtowns, retaining and expanding businesses, and rebuilding our infrastructure for the 21st Century,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils. “As the Chair of the Regional Councils, I have seen first-hand in my travels across every corner of New York how this investment in innovation and technology has revitalized the state. By empowering the people who know their communities the best, the Governor has transformed this state’s economic development strategy into one that is not only successful, but is built to last.”
The REDC process has transformed government’s approach to economic development in New York State, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Since 2011, the first year of the initiative, over $4.6 billion has been awarded to more than 5,200 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 210,000 jobs statewide.
Today, more than $700 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round VI of the REDC initiative:
• Western New York: Regional Council Awardee | $62 million supporting 105 projects
• Finger Lakes: Top Performer Awardee | $80.5 million supporting 97 projects
• Southern Tier: Regional Council Awardee | $60.4 million supporting 63 projects
• Central New York: Regional Council Awardee | $62.2 million supporting 77 projects
• Mohawk Valley: Top Performer Awardee | $81.9 million supporting 88 projects
• North Country: Regional Council Awardee | $61.4 million supporting 77 projects
• Capital Region: Top Performer Awardee | $83.1 million supporting 116 projects
• Mid-Hudson: Top Performer Awardee | $83.3 million supporting 105 projects
• New York City: Top Performer Awardee | $80.2 million supporting 121 projects
• Long Island: Regional Council Awardee | $62 million supporting 101 projects
“By bringing together ideas from local government and community leaders with state resources, we are giving these councils the tools to create jobs and drive economic activity in their communities for generations to come.” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
In the spring, Governor Cuomo kicked off Round VI and introduced a major new component to the competition – the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) is a $100 million effort to improve the urban vitality of city centers across New York State by investing $10 million in 10 municipalities statewide. Earlier this year, the 10 REDCs each selected communities after thoroughly evaluating each downtown’s potential for transformation. To guide the use of the $10 million DRI awards, the 10 communities will each complete a Strategic Investment Plan by early 2017, which identify specific projects that align with a unique vision for revitalization of their downtown area.
A full list of communities in which $10 million will be invested through the DRI, along with their applications, is available here.
During Round VI, members from the 10 Regional Councils traveled to Albany to make in-person presentations of their proposals to the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT). Over the course of two days, the SIAT, which is composed of state agency commissioners and policy experts, heard from each of the Regional Councils directly, reviewed the progress being made on projects that have previously received state funding, and assessed the regions’ strategic plan implementations and proposals for funding in 2016.
This year, all 10 REDCs competed for designation as a “Top Performer.” The five Top Performers will receive up to $25 million in additional Empire State Development grant funding to support priority projects, with the remaining five regions receiving up to $10 million. Additionally, each region is eligible for up to an additional $15 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to help attract and grow businesses in the region.
Highlights of the 950 projects across the state receiving $716.9 million in awards through the sixth round of the REDC competition are outlined below:
Western New York: Regional Council Awardee | $62 million supporting 105 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$1 million to support the expansion of the Edelweiss Dairy Facility
Edelweiss Dairy Farm is currently operating at full capacity and needs to expand. This project will replace the farm’s existing Freedom Farm facility with a new 2,400 cow facility that includes improved high efficiency LED lighting, VSD controlled ventilation fans, compressors, chillers and heat exchanges. The project will enable Edelweiss Dairy Farm to expand their capacity and market.
$1 million to support the Jacobs School of Medicine Simulation Innovation Center
Funds will be used to purchase new operating stations and related equipment at the new Jacobs School of Medicine Simulation Innovation Center (SIC). The project consists of focused learning space in the new medical school. The Simulation Center is key to recruiting top faculty and students to UB, and can be a leading resource for national/international companies
$750,000 to support the 7th Niagara Street Renovation in the City of Niagara Falls
This funding will be used to support the redevelopment of vacant land and historic buildings on a parcel at the corner of 7th and Niagara Streets in downtown Niagara Falls, less than half a mile from Niagara Falls State Park and the Rainbow Bridge, Canada. The site is in a high traffic area and its proximity to Niagara Fall’s entertainment and visitor destinations make it an ideal location for development.
Finger Lakes: Top Performer Awardee | $80.5 million supporting 97 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$1.9 million to support Ellicott Station
Ellicott Station is a $17 million project that will transform a designated Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) strategic site into a mixed-use downtown destination. The project is in the City of Batavia’s central business corridor, which is a heavily traveled area. The redevelopment will include remediation of ground pollution, selective demolition for adaptive re-use, and new construction to provide denser and more appropriate land use situated at the end of the Batavia’s historic retail district and proposed pedestrian trail.
$1.5 million to support the Southeast YMCA Healthy Living Campus in Rochester
The YMCA of Greater Rochester will be developing a Regional Healthy Living Campus. The new state of the art healthy living campus will provide holistic health services for people or all ages, abilities and incomes with a goal to improve the region’s health and quality of life. It will serve a growing population in the southeast quadrant of Monroe County. The increased size and services of the new facility will expand the Y’s geographical reach to more than 10 municipalities including penetration into the City of Rochester. The increased market area will allow the Y to serve a more diverse population
$800,000 to support the Hillside Varick Campus Revitalization
Hillside Children’s Center, one of the five largest employers in Seneca County, is making crucial improvements to its Varick Campus, the anchor tenant at the former Seneca Army Depot. Improvements will optimize current capacity through repurposing multiple buildings over the course of a multi-year, dual-phased capital project to retain current jobs and position the campus for growth within the changing healthcare environment.
Southern Tier: Regional Council Awardee | $60.4 million supporting 63 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$1.7 million for the Salvation Army Job Training and Support Center
The Salvation Army will develop a new Community Center to operate as a job training and support center. The North Side Job Training and Support Center will provide skills development and training programs that empower individuals and build a stronger local and regional workforce.
$1 million to support the expansion of Micatu, Inc.
Micatu Incorporated will purchase a facility located at 17 Aviation Drive in Horseheads, Chemung County, formerly known as the Wings of Eagles and Sikorsky facility. The acquisition will enable the company to relocate its corporate headquarters and establish a high-tech manufacturing facility in the Southern Tier.
$330,000 to support the Calice Advanced Manufacturing Center at SUNY Broome Community College
SUNY Broome Community College (SUNY Broome) will renovate an existing mechanical building on its campus, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility knowns as the Calice Advanced Manufacturing Center. This project will expand SUNY Broome’s capacity to train more workers as advanced manufacturing and engineering technicians for employment in areas such as clean rooms, aircraft maintenance, energy efficiencies and food sciences.
Central New York: Regional Council Awardee | $62.2 million supporting 77 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$4 million to support Steri-Pharma’s Line 7 Expansion
Steri-Pharma, LLC, a manufacturer of antibiotics used internationally to treat complicated bacterial infections, will expand its Syracuse operations by adding a second sterile powder filling line and increasing warehouse capacity. The project will include the construction of new clean rooms, sterile production and filling areas, and a new 18,500 square foot building.
$1.19 million to support the Northern Crossing
SB Lattimore Inc. will construct a new upscale, mid-range boutique lake-view hotel, comprised of three buildings totaling 55 rooms, a bar and event facilities in the Town of Fleming, Cayuga County. The project will be located across from Owasco Lake and Emerson Park, adjacent to an existing 4,000 square-foot event center, The Point at Sand Beach, and will help to close a significant lodging gap in the area.
$364,000 to support Clear Path for Veterans
Clear Path for Veterans, Inc. will construct new facilities and make improvements to its campus in Sullivan, Madison County. The project includes a redesign of the entrance, construction of cabins, and construction of a maintenance barn which will include a wood shop, service garage, and equipment storage space. Clear Path for Veterans is Upstate New York’s Veteran Resource Center, serving as a hub of information, programs and resources. The construction of the new facilities will allow Clear Path to expand its ability to empower service members, veterans, and their families through supportive programs and services.
Mohawk Valley: Top Performer Awardee | $81.9 million supporting 88 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$3 million to support the Susquehanna Regional Food and Beverage Hub
Otsego Now will transform the former vacant car dealership building at 27-33 Market Street, Oneonta into the Susquehanna Regional Food and Beverage Hub. The redevelopment will efficiently use available land to develop new spaces and renovate buildings that are structurally intact. The overall theme of the redevelopment builds on the established craft food and beverage industry and supports upcoming entrepreneurs in the business with workforce and specialty training opportunities.
$2.4 million to support NCI Group’s manufacturing expansion
NCI will expand its existing manufacturing facility in Westmoreland by enlarging its buildings, adding new machinery and equipment, and adding jobs. The expansion will allow NCI to capture additional market share in the pre-engineered metal buildings market in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada.
$1.7 million to support the expansion of the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) is purchasing land adjacent to its headquarters at 507 Kent St., Utica. CABVI will develop the land and construct a new building to house the Vision rehabilitation service center and Agency headquarters. The vacated space in the Kent Street building will be reconfigured into much needed manufacturing space for packaging and service employment for people who are legally blind.
North Country: Regional Council Awardee | $61.4 million supporting 77 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$1.6 million to support Hemo Medica
Hemo Medica will create a new pharmaceutical business, purchasing new equipment and a vacant building, upgrading it to a current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) production plant and lab in Massena, St. Lawrence County.
$1.3 to support Hi-Lite Airfield Services
Hi-Lite is seeking to build its world headquarters in the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency’s new business park, adjacent to the Watertown International Airport. The new headquarters will provide meeting rooms and new technologies to enhance worker productivity and collaboration between departments. In addition to office space, the company will establish an international training and testing facility (Hi-Lite Academy) to educate new employees and airfield personnel from around the world on aviation industry issues such as airfield maintenance, safety management, and winter operations. The company also plans to integrate warehouse space, a hangar, and equipment maintenance facilities as a means to consolidate the company’s local operations to a single location.
$300,000 to support Jeffords Steel Expansion
Jeffords Steel will expand its fabrication and manufacturing facility in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County. The expansion will allow for the addition of new equipment, including cranes and other fabrication related machinery, and enable Jeffords to increase production by re-configuring the flow of material. This restructuring will allow for greater capacity, higher levels of output and, most importantly, the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in the area.
Capital Region: Top Performer Awardee | $83.1 million supporting 116 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$2.4 to support The Mill by Re4orm Architecture
Re4orm Architecture will acquire seven properties and renovate six deteriorated structures in Schenectady to create The Mill Artisan District. The district will be comprised of a three-block area and include New York maker space for a distillery, a craft brewery and retail establishments, like the Electric City Co-Op, providing an opportunity for the distribution of locally grown produce and farm fresh goods to an area that has been deemed a “food desert.” The project builds upon the success of the state’s recent efforts to bolster the New York made craft beverage, farm-to-table and agri-tourism industries. This unique addition to downtown Schenectady’s revitalization efforts will provide significant increased sales tax revenues and employment opportunities for inner city residents.
$750,000 to support the P1 Advanced Manufacturing Center
P1 will construct and operationalize a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing center, “P1-AMC,” which will enable the company to develop new, high-tech manufacturing capabilities, train highly skilled talent proficient in the new software/hardware world of manufacturing, and position P1 to enter new markets and draw manufacturing work to Upstate New York.
$ 557,540 to support Brown’s Brewing Company
Brown’s Brewing Company plans to establish a state of the art, sustainable craft brewing and agricultural destination in Hoosick Falls. The proposed project will renovate and expand the brewery’s Hoosick Falls facility by investing in new equipment, as well as research and development, in order to implement a full canning line, create additional cold storage, lab space and expanded processing capabilities.
Mid-Hudson: Top Performer Awardee | $83.3 million supporting 105 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$3 million to support LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND will consist of a theme park and resort in the Town of Goshen. The park will include rides and attractions, an aquarium, theaters, educational facilities, restaurants, a hotel and various facilities including offices and staff areas as well as associated parking and drainage facilities. Educational facilities and programs are also included to attract strong school visitation.
$2.6 million to support Star Kay White’s expansion of manufacturing operations
Star Kay White, a 126 year old New York State company, is building a new manufacturing facility in the Warwick Valley Office and Technology Park. The project will upgrade their infrastructure, technology and equipment, making their manufacturing processes more efficient and better able to meet their customer’s needs.
$1 million to support RUPCO’s Stockade Works Project in Kingston
RUPCO, Inc.’s planned redevelopment of a defunct factory in Kingston, Ulster County, will allow the site to be repurposed for an anchor tenant in the film and television industry. Included will be training space for film and TV production; a post-production studio, and a maker’s space for entrepreneurs.
$500,000 to support the Sing Sing Prison Museum
The Sing Sing Historic Prison Museum will build a first-rate educational and historical museum at the site of the existing operating correctional facility, using the 1936 Prison Power House to house the museum, with access to the original 1825 Cellblock.
New York City: Top Performer Awardee | $80.2 million supporting 121 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$2.1 million to support the Green Point Manufacturing and Design Center
The Green Point Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC) is a well-established nonprofit developer of industrial space for small and mid-size local manufacturing and artisan businesses and is looking to renovate a vacant building in Ozone Park, Queens. The project will address New York City’s growing emphasis on retaining manufacturing space for small and mid-sized businesses by marketing to GMDC’s traditional tenants: custom woodworkers, cabinet makers, artisanal trades such as set builders and display makers, homes goods manufactures, metal workers, metal finishers, and garment makers.
$1.3 million to support the Galvanize Tech Campus
Galvanize is a Colorado-based business that will establish space in New York City to accommodate tech training programs, workshops, co-working space for tech startups, and the presence of potential industry partners and mentors like IBM. Students enrolled in Galvanize educational programs have access to work spaces and Galvanize will also host weekly tech-focused community events, including tech meet-ups and networking events.
$1 million to support the Henry Street Settlement Firehouse Renovation
Henry Street Settlement, a social service nonprofit, will renovate the firehouse at 269 Henry Street, where it will relocate its primary employment center, the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC). The renovated firehouse will be an ADA-compliant, multi-functional space in which to promote and deliver Henry Street’s extensive workforce development programs, which place hundreds of low income people in jobs each year.
Long Island: Regional Council Awardee | $62 million supporting 101 projects
Highlights of the projects awarded economic development funding in Round VI include:
$1 million to support Modern Meadow’s manufacturing facility
Modern Meadow Inc., a START-UP NY company currently located in Brooklyn, will lease space at Farmingdale State College Bio Park. The company will use this space to conduct all research and development, pilot manufacturing, commercial demonstration manufacturing and house corporate offices.
$1 million to support Luminati Aerospace, LLC
Luminati Aerospace will expand the development and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Riverhead’s Calverton Industrial park. The project will enhance the renewal of Long Island’s aerospace industry. Luminati Aerospace is an aerospace technology company focusing on research, development, testing, and manufacturing of next generation solar-electric UAVs, at its facility located at the historic Calverton airbase (formerly Grumman Aerospace) in Riverhead, Suffolk County.
$500,000 to support Northwell Health’s Center for Advanced Engineering
Northwell Health is currently planning to renovate existing space within the Boas Marks Pavilion in Manhasset to establish the Center for Advanced Engineering at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. The Center will include new research space that will house clean room facilities for microfabrication, electronics and biosensors laboratories, rapid prototyping facilities with 3D printing and laser fabrication equipment, and computational and data analytics facilities.
A full list of the 2016 REDC awards is available at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
Through six rounds of the REDC competition:
• Western New York REDC has delivered $418.4 million for 551 projects;
• Finger Lakes REDC has delivered $506.1 million for 605 projects;
• Southern Tier REDC has delivered $480.6 million for 471 projects;
• Central New York REDC has delivered $529.1 million for 505 projects;
• Mohawk Valley REDC has delivered $444.1 million for 462 projects;
• North Country REDC has delivered $484.6 million for 456 projects;
• Capital Region REDC has delivered $437 million for 608 projects;
• Mid-Hudson REDC has delivered $475.9 million for 574 projects;
• New York City REDC has delivered $400.4 million for 452 projects; and
• Long Island REDC has delivered $486.5 million for 590 projects.
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 six rounds of the REDC process, more than $4.6 billion has been awarded to more than 5,200 job creation and community development projects consistent with each regions strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 210,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.