Governor Hochul Announces $40 Million Awarded Across the State Through Fast NY Program to Develop Shovel-Ready Sites

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $39.6 million has been awarded for seven locations under the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) grant program. First announced in February 2022, the program is designed to prepare and develop sites across the state to jumpstart New York’s shovel-readiness and increase its attractiveness to large employers and high-tech manufacturing companies. The program, administered by Empire State Development, will help diversify New York State’s economy while propelling new investments for businesses, communities, and job creation.

“With our highly skilled workforce and commitment to emerging industries, New York is ready to welcome companies to our state while supporting those who have already invested in our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “This funding from the FAST NY program will prepare seven shovel-ready sites around the state that will one day house the industries of the future – from renewable energy to high-tech manufacturing. Through investments like this, New York State is attracting elite companies that will create good jobs and power our local economies for generations to come.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said," We know that having a prepared and ready-to-build location was one of the many reasons why companies like Wolfspeed, Micron and fairlife chose to build and grow in New York State. Fast NY is creating more locations for industries to chose from and making New York State a top destination for relocation and expansion."

First round FAST NY Awardees:

• Oneida County Industrial Development Agency (Mohawk Valley EDGE) – $14 million: The Marcy Nanocenter provides a fully permitted, shovel-ready greenfield site on an already established campus. An area has been reserved to build a semiconductor supply-chain campus, which is in high demand due to the established Wolfspeed fab and the recently announced Micron facility, and will serve regional and on-site high-tech companies. FAST NY funding will continue to develop the site and support preparation, excavation and utility infrastructure work. Total project cost: $18 million

• County of Monroe IDA (COMIDA) – $20 million: The site at 1900 Tebor Road in Webster is being developed to attract agribusiness and industrial machinery manufacturing. Funding will be used to upgrade the existing electrical infrastructure. Total project cost: $27 million

• Buffalo and Erie County Industrial Land Development Corporation (ILDC) – $4.75 million: This project will expand the Renaissance Commerce Park by supporting construction activities to relocate and expand a 100-year-old freight rail yard, located at the former Bethlehem Steel site. This will help to drive economic growth from currently underutilized land through private investment and job creation. The unique assets this site offers makes it attractive for industrial expansion. Total project cost: $6.8 million

• Broome County IDA/LDC (The Agency) – $500,000: This project will create a new 300-acre sustainability-focused corporate park designed to attract advanced electronics and semiconductor manufacturers, test packaging and related supply chain companies, life sciences, and agricultural processing. There is the potential for an additional 300 acres to be acquired at this site, resulting in a new 600-acre corporate park. Market studies have already determined potential opportunities for the park, which include several industry clusters eligible for FAST NY grant funding. Total project cost - $1 million

• Onondaga County IDA – $325,000: This award is for the 104-acre Caughdenoy Industrial Park (White Pine South). With Micron’s selection of White Pine Commerce Park for a chip manufacturing site, this site provides a prime location to attract Tier I supply chain companies. The goal is to facilitate the creation of a supply chain campus – including warehouses, manufacturing plants and research and development centers – to support Micron. Total project cost: $650,000

• Town of Lockport IDA – $63,750: This award for IDA Park South expands the existing 120-acre Industrial Park by an additional 91 acres, meeting the regional demand for targeted industries that currently does not exist. Additionally, this site neighbors a proposed 60-acre industrial park, creating an attractive industrial corridor for the area. Total project cost: $127,500

• Village of Painted Post – $36,000: The West Water Street site provides regional significance with 45 acres of developable land and close proximity to major highways, allowing for easy integration into the regional advanced manufacturing cluster and the potential to be a key semiconductor industry supply chain location. The project will help to prepare the site for a future developer by allowing for predevelopment work to determine the site's best use. A site survey, traffic study, site plan and design, zoning revision and environmental concerns will be addressed, supporting streamlined approval process. Total Project Cost: $120,000

FAST NY funding through ESD awards grants for pre-development activities and infrastructure investments to develop sites that will attract many eligible industries —including high-tech manufacturing, clean-tech renewable energy, life sciences, agribusiness, optics, transportation equipment, materials processing, industrial machinery manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing. These sites can also be used for interstate distribution and logistics. Through FAST NY, ESD can award a “FAST NY Shovel-Ready Certification” for sites that meet high standards of shovel readiness, to support and enhance their marketing efforts to attract more industries.

For more information, or to apply for a FAST NY grant, visit esd.ny.gov/fast-ny.

New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan M Silva said, “New York State's continued economic growth will be accelerated by investing in market/shovel-ready site development. These projects will allow communities to be proactive in attracting new industries by offering predictability and shortening time to market for businesses seeking to invest and grow in New York. Today’s announcement also validates the critical role Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) play in developing our economy, creating jobs, and fostering public-private- partnerships that help create economic prosperity for all New Yorkers. We thank Governor Hochul and the team at Empire State Development for their leadership in implementing the FAST NY program and recognizing the important role our members play in building sustainable economies and communities.”

State Senator Sean Ryan said, "As Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business, I am laser-focused on smart ideas to attract businesses that create family-sustaining, long-term jobs. By investing in shovel-ready sites that revitalize our existing infrastructure, FAST NY is attracting high-tech manufacturing companies that will bring stable jobs to communities across New York. It is the exact type of future-focused investment that should make up a prominent part of our state's economic development playbook."

State Senator Joseph Griffo said, “I am pleased that Oneida County Industrial Development Agency/Mohawk Valley EDGE is receiving funding toward the Marcy Nanocenter to further develop its supply-chain campus. The local community has made a commitment, partnering with state investments, helping to make the Mohawk Valley a home for fast-growing, high-tech companies. This funding will support needed infrastructure work that will continue to support and attract high-tech manufacturing companies in our region, creating more economic opportunity.”

Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “As Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Economic Development, I am pleased to have secured the funding for this essential economic development program. FAST NY provides the building blocks for a strong economic future that will serve our families and state. I look forward to additional announcements and seeing FAST NY meet the targeted needs of our communities.”

Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said, “The infusion of $14 million into the Marcy Nanocenter reflects a dedication to supporting cutting-edge technology and an environment for high-tech manufacturing companies. By investing in preparation, excavation, and utility infrastructure work, the FAST NY funding not only fortifies our physical landscape but also promotes an atmosphere for innovation, collaboration, and ultimately, job creation. This initiative embodies the Mohawk Valley's resilience, potential, and determination to steer New York State's economy into a dynamic era of growth.”

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said, “Making the necessary investments early on enhances the competitiveness of developable sites and is critical to securing businesses and jobs in the long-run. During my tenure as County Executive, we have worked tirelessly with Mohawk Valley EDGE and New York State to transform the Marcy Nanosite from dream to reality, helping Oneida County become an epicenter for high-tech industry. We are committed to continuing those efforts by assisting EDGE to ensure the site reaches its full potential. FAST NY funding from ESD supports our on-going work to build out the Marcy Nanosite, complement Wolfspeed and the announced Micron facility and maximize economic benefit.”