Governor Hochul Announces More Than $26 Million Awarded in Round XI of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that over $26 million has been awarded to support 27 priority projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. This year, $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development was made available on a continuous and competitive basis to support the immediate needs of applicants. Additionally, projects within each region are eligible for a share of $75 million in Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in their region.

“As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, my administration’s top priority is to ensure that our economic recovery is equitable and reaches every corner of the state,” Governor Hochul said. “The projects supported by this funding are the result of a collaborative, grassroots approach, working with local stakeholders from across the government, business, and non-profit sectors. I am excited for the dynamic growth they will bring about and have never been more optimistic about our state’s economic future.”

"This additional funding for 27 shovel-ready projects across the Empire State reflects and supports the wide range of regional strengths and industries that will continue to grow New York’s economy for generations to come,” Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin said. "From battery energy storage, manufacturing and craft beverages to semiconductors and cultural hubs, we are creating jobs and opportunities for all New Yorkers."

"Supporting these projects as recommended by the Regional Economic Development Councils will help to rebuild and grow our local economies," ESD Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Hope Knight said. "Through continued strategic investments in shovel ready projects, we are focused on catalyzing new development opportunities to generate economic momentum across New York State."

These awards are in addition to the $549 million awarded to 764 projects from multiple State Agency programs through Round XI of the Governor's Regional Economic Development Council Initiative announced earlier this month to stimulate New York's post-pandemic economic recovery. The application for traditional ESD Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an ongoing 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.

This second round of priority projects was recommended by each Regional Council because of their project readiness and alignment with each region's strategic plan. Highlights include:

• Hudson Valley Community College Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) (Capital Region) – $250,000 ESD Grant: Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) is undertaking the creation of a new Federal Aviation Administration-approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS) to be located at Albany International Airport in Albany County. HVCC will utilize and acquire state-of-the-art aviation equipment and supplies to support the development of its Airframe and Powerplant curriculum, and FAR Part 147 AMTS Certification. The program will train at least 40 technicians per year to directly enter the aviation maintenance workforce.

• Intertek (Central New York) – $498,600 ESD Grant: Intertek, a global leader in assurance, testing, inspection, and certification with a primary location in Cortland, is creating a new laboratory focused on testing of battery energy storage systems. This new lab expands on Intertek’s current services for renewables and storage and will help customers bring their innovative products to market faster. They will also be expanding services to focus on environmental testing capabilities, which allows Intertek to support local manufacturers within the Military and Aerospace industries.

• Alliance Precision Plastics (Finger Lakes) – $1 million ESD Grant, $750,000 Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Alliance Precision Plastics, a plastic product manufacturer, will consolidate their existing manufacturing facilities in the City of Rochester into one location. The project will include renovation of the facility and purchase of machinery and equipment to accommodate an expansion.

• Chocolate Works Expansion (Long Island) – $300,000 ESD Grant, $600,000 Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Chocolate Works is a veteran owned chocolate manufacturer located in Freeport that will be investing in new machinery and equipment including chocolate bomb equipment, an enrobing line, a popcorn machine, cooling equipment, and additional storage. This production investment will allow them to expand their national distribution and add additional employees to their existing workforce.

• Sleepy Hollow Commons (Mid-Hudson Region) – $2 million ESD Grant: Sleepy Hollow Commons will transform the East Parcel of the former General Motors site into a meaningful public space that serves as a lynchpin of local trail & transit connections, linking isolated community assets. This phase of the project includes engineering, construction and inspection for a vehicular/pedestrian bridge connecting the East Parcel to mixed-use waterfront development, improving access to public transit, fostering accessible job centers, and enabling critical services to respond ably during storm events.

• Lanzi Family & Artisanal Brew Works Project (Mohawk Valley) – $250,000 ESD Grant: The Lanzi Family & Artisanal Brew Works Project is a partnership project between two successful private entrepreneurs on the City of Amsterdam’s waterfront. The project is proposing to construct an over 9,000 square feet brewery and event space on the city’s waterfront on the former Chalmers property. Additionally, the project will support over 5,000 square feet in outdoor event space, including a rooftop to overlook the Mohawk River & Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge.

• Collab Studio, Inc. (New York City) – $1.6 million ESD Grant: Collab Studio Inc. designs, fabricates, programs and executes unique products, branded merchandise and large-scale installations, while simultaneously integrating on-the-job-training. Collab Studio will purchase and renovate a 9,000-square-foot, light manufacturing/warehouse building to serve as a creative hub, and provide space and resources to Bushwick‘s low-income residents and creative community of artists and scientists. The new facility will also expand Collab's apprenticeship and workforce development opportunities by creating program streams that will accommodate up to 75 trainees.

• ADK Gateway, Inc. Phase II (North Country) – $105,860 ESD Grant: ADK Gateway Inc. will complete Phase II renovation and construction activities at the historic Frontier Town A-Frame property in North Hudson. Planned improvements include rehabilitation of parking infrastructure, outdoor event space and new roof installation. This project advances regional tourism marketing and economic development efforts by providing a resource for visitors traveling to the Adirondack region.

• Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, Inc. (Southern Tier) – $650,000 ESD Grant: Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, Inc. will expand the manufacturing capabilities of their facility by purchasing and installing cleanroom equipment. This facility upgrade will consist of semiconductor processing tools that will scale up existing manufacturing capabilities from an estimated 50 wafers per month to an estimated 500 wafers per month. The adaptation of this new equipment to their fabrication facility will allow higher efficiency power conversion for applications in personal electronics, electric vehicles, solar inverters, industrial motors, and smart power grid distribution.

• Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute (Western New York) – $725,000 ESD Grant: The Hispanic Heritage Council will construct a new 32,000 SF infill development on Niagara and Hudson Streets that will celebrate the region’s Hispanic arts and culture, and serve as a central hub for the community. The mixed-use facility will include theater and events spaces, classrooms and learning labs, a media center, and offices for the Hispanic Heritage Council. As an anchor in revitalizing the Niagara Street corridor, the Cultural Institute will not only be a draw for celebrating the Hispanic community, but will also serve as a new draw for visitation in the City of Buffalo.

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.