Governor Hochul Announces More Than $57 Million Awarded Through Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $57 million has been awarded to support 238 projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Round XIII included Empire State Development grant funds and Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which was made available on a continuous and competitive basis to support the immediate needs of communities. Over $46 million in funding from these programs will support impactful projects that align with each region’s strategic goals. Round XIII also included two new micro grant programs: the Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program and the Not-for-Profit Capital Grant Program which awarded over $9.7 million to support 170 craft beverage manufacturers and non-profit organizations throughout the state.

“New York State is supporting our growing communities by investing in shovel-ready projects that will encourage job creation and help boost local economies,” Governor Hochul said. “The range of these projects reflects crucial Regional Economic Development Council input from the stakeholders who know their local assets and industries best, helping us to make strategic investments to create opportunity in our communities, both now and for the future.”

The application for Empire State Development Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going basis until funds are exhausted. Applicants with strong, shovel-ready projects that align with the state and region's economic development priorities can apply through the Consolidated Funding Application.

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils, said, "The Regional Economic Development Councils continue to help connect strategic investments to historically distressed communities throughout New York State. Through this process of identifying and funding shovel-ready projects that align with REDC strategic plans and goals, the funding goes where it’s needed and where it will have the biggest impact. By working closely with the REDCs, I know that these awards will make a difference in growth, jobs and educational opportunities for so many New Yorkers.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “From supporting STEM education and manufacturing to workforce development, childcare and more, the REDCs are guiding the needs and the future success of their regions through projects that will have a lasting economic impact. Two new micro-grant programs will also help to grow our robust craft beverage industry and support the important work of nonprofits throughout New York State.”

This first round of ESD grant projects was recommended by each Regional Council because of the project's readiness and alignment with each region's strategic plan. Highlights include:

• Discovery Center of Science and Technology - MOST STEM Education Center (Central New York) – $300,000 ESD Grant: Discovery Center of Science and Technology will build out currently unused space (at its Syracuse home) to support the MOST's mission. The new space will create more classrooms for the MOST's day camps and programs, STEM Library, and education offices. Total Project Cost: $2.8 Million
• National Offshore Wind Training Center, Inc. (Long Island) – $3 Million ESD Grant: The National Offshore Wind Training Center, Inc. will build a global wind organization training center in Brentwood, Suffolk County to provide safety and technical certifications for everyone working in the offshore wind environment. The project will include pre-apprenticeship opportunities, provide summer programs for high school students in the energy and sustainability fields; advanced manufacturing training programs for youth/adults, and support workforce career pathways with training and certification opportunities. Total Project Cost: $11 Million
• The Art Effect of the Hudson Valley, Inc. (Mid-Hudson) – $2 Million ESD Grant: The Art Effect will further expand and improve the previously vacant Trolley Barn in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, into an education and youth-focused center for residents to express their talents and further their education. The project will transform the historic Poughkeepsie Trolley Barn gallery into a community arts, culture, and arts workforce development campus with renovations and additional construction. Total Project Cost: $13 Million
• Midtown Utica Community Center (Mohawk Valley) – $450,000 ESD Grant: Midtown Utica Community Center (MUCC) will rehabilitate the rear wing of its community center, allowing for expanded programming and employment services, which primarily serve the refugee, immigrant and low-income youth in a severely distressed neighborhood in Utica. MUCC will launch a new program with Utica City School District to help orient newly arrived refugee, immigrant and youth into the community. Total Project Cost: $1.2 Million
• Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority – Childcare Center (North Country) – $954,000 ESD Grant: The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority will construct a new childcare facility in Commerce Park in Ogdensburg. It will provide up to 125 new childcare slots to the immediate area, benefiting children, parents, and businesses. Total Project Cost: $4.7 Million
• Foodirect, Inc. (New York City) – $1 Million ESD Grant, $1 Million Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Foodirect will update and renovate its food distribution center at the Hunts Point Cooperative Market in the Bronx. The renovation will include energy efficiency improvements, a state-of-the-art refrigeration system and modern insulation methods, which will significantly reduce the operation’s carbon footprint. This project will also contribute to the overall development initiative taking place at the Hunts Point Market complex.Total Project Cost: $18 Million
• Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. (Southern Tier) – $500,000 ESD Grant, $1.5 Million Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. (SSI) is a sports equipment manufacturer located in Delhi, Delaware County. SSI will expand its manufacturing operations by utilizing vacant property adjacent to its existing site. The proposed project will include a 60,000 square-foot manufacturing plant expansion with modern equipment, a new office complex, mechanical shop and storage. Total Project Cost: $27.5 Million

Nearly $4.8 million has been awarded to support 108 projects through the Craft Beverage Micro Grant Program, designed to increase the production capacity, business infrastructure and profitability of businesses licensed to produce wine, beer, spirits, hard cider and mead in New York State.

Highlights for the Craft Program include:

• Speckled Pig Brewing Co., LLC (Capital Region) – $42,500 ESD Grant: Speckled Pig Brewing in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, will upgrade its brewhouse equipment and purchase a new canning line and a keg cleaning system. This additional equipment will provide Speckled Pig with the ability to expand the sale of its New York State craft beer to over 100 restaurants/bars, as well as distribute their beer throughout the state.
• Birdhouse Brewing Company, Inc. (Finger Lakes) – $50,000 ESD Grant: Birdhouse Brewing is expanding its facility in Honeoye, Ontario County, and upgrading its brewing system from a three-barrel brewing system to a seven-barrel brewing system. This expansion will allow Birdhouse Brewing to increase its production and brewing capacity and to become more self-sufficient, moving away from needing a third-party brewing company to help develop recipes and support large-scale production.

Full list of awardees for the Craft program can be found here.

More than $4.9 million has been awarded to support 62 projects through the Not-for-Profit Capital Grant program, which supports not-for-profit organizations who provide economic and community benefits in their region to assist with facility improvements and upgrades.

Highlights for the Not-for-Profit Program include:

• The Inspired Community Project, Inc. (New York City) – $100,000 ESD Grant: The Inspired Community Project’s (TICP) mission is to ensure equal access to special education instruction, resources, and workforce development training. TICP focuses on providing quality early childhood education, childcare options, and therapy services in the economically distressed Bronx. Grant funding will help to furnish and build out a new location in the Bronx, and establish an early intervention therapy center and childcare facility that provides specialized education for neurodivergent children. The project will also include workforce development programs.
• Heart, Love & Soul, Inc. (Western New York) – $100,000 ESD Grant: Heart, Love and Soul is a nonprofit community organization that provides hunger relief and social care to low-income individuals and families. Grant funding will be used to renovate and expand its their current facility in Niagara Falls to serve more clients.

Full list of awardees for the Not-for-Profit program can be found here.

Additionally, over $1 million has been awarded through the Strategic Planning and Feasibilities Studies Program. These awards support 21 projects through working capital grants to support strategic development plans for a municipalities and counties, and assessment and planning feasibility studies.

The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. To date, through the REDC Initiative, more than $7.8 billion has been awarded to more than 9,700 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plan.

About the Consolidated Funding Application

The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have toslowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA here.

About the Regional Economic Development Councils

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State’s approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established 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. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov