Fourth Batch of Approved Awards Include 40 Shovel-Ready Projects
Full List of Round XII Awardees Can Be Found Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $27 million has been awarded to support 40 projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. Round XII included core capital grant and tax credit funding from Empire State Development, which was made available on a continuous and competitive basis to support the immediate needs of communities. Funding will support impactful projects that align with each region’s strategic goals.
“We continue to make investments lifting up our communities across New York State, and these 40 shovel-ready projects are crucial to boosting economic growth and driving private investment,” Governor Hochul said. “Together, our Regional Economic Development Councils are helping communities meet pressing needs through strategic investments creating good-paying jobs and expanding opportunities for New Yorkers.”
Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils said, “We are creating jobs, investing in local businesses, and ensuring that all regions of New York have strong local economies. We are continuing to invest in our communities to build a more equitable state for all New Yorkers.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Supporting projects that make strategic sense for the local economy is key to the Regional Economic Development Councils’ success. These awards will move communities throughout the state in a forward direction, by investing in the growth of multiple industries, from offshore wind to innovative manufacturing, and giving New Yorkers the resources they need to grow.”
This fourth batch of projects was recommended by each Regional Council because of their project readiness and alignment with each region's strategic plan. Highlights include:
- G&G Industrial Lighting Project (Capital Region) – $900,000 ESD Grant: G&G Industrial Lighting designs and manufactures industrial LED lighting products that can withstand hard environments for sale to the automotive, food processing, and transportation industries. G&G will relocate and expand its current manufacturing and corporate headquarters to the Town of Malta, Saratoga County. The project includes building rehabilitation and construction, and new machinery and equipment, which will enhance G&G’s manufacturing capability and create 30 new jobs through an increase in on-site production and storage capacity. It will also create space for additional research and development facilities and new manufacturing equipment. Total Project Cost: $5.1 Million
- Lowville Producers Dairy Cooperative (Central New York) – $1.3 Million ESD Grant, $500,000 Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Lowville Producers Dairy Cooperative, Inc. will purchase, renovate, and operate the Queensboro dairy processing plant in Canastota, Madison County. The processing plant serves as a central point for the collection and processing of raw milk from various dairy farms. The project includes the acquisition of the operation, building improvements, the purchase of new equipment and create 16 new jobs. Total Project Cost: $6.6 Million
- Enercon Systems, Inc. (Finger Lakes) – $100,000 ESD Grant, $180,000 Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Enercon Systems is a climate-friendly technologies manufacturer that solves real environmental problems and creates R&D prototypes that transform waste into energy. Its mobile waste disposal systems are typically used in remote locations where traditional systems and infrastructure are not available. Enercon, currently headquartered in Ohio, will establish New York operations in a vacant building located on a gateway corridor to the City of Batavia, and outfit the building with new machinery and equipment and create nine new jobs. Total Project Cost: $1.9 Million
- Red Ironworks, Inc. (Long Island) – $70,000 ESD Grant: Steel fabricator Red Ironworks, Inc. will expand its current facility in West Babylon, Suffolk County, and purchase new machinery and equipment to produce steel for the offshore wind sector. Total Project Cost: $350,000
- Electric Owl Studios (Mid-Hudson) – $1.5 million ESD Grant: Electric Owl Studios will create a LEED gold-certified multimedia production studio in Hastings-On-Hudson, Westchester County, that will include support the film, television, and gaming industries. The development will allow feature film and television series production, plus post-production, animation, gaming, and industry tech development. Electric Owl Studios will partner with local schools to establish education and training opportunities for students and residents from the community. Total Project Cost: $111 Million
- Stark Truss Company, Inc. (Mohawk Valley) – $100,000 ESD Grant, $200,000 Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Stark Truss is a manufacturer and supplier of wood components for the construction industry with headquarters in Ohio. Stark Truss will build a new manufacturing facility at the Griffiss Business & Technology Park in Rome, Oneida County, solidifying its presence in the Mohawk Valley and increasing production capacity to grow their business and create 13 new jobs. Total Project Cost: $2.3 Million
- The New York Immigration Coalition, Inc. (New York City) – $1.5 Million ESD Grant: The New York Immigration Coalition will acquire a facility to establish a permanent presence in New York City for its operations and programming. The space will increase NYIC's capacity to promote local immigration inclusion through expanded services, legal rights and community resource training, and increased collaboration with other community-based organizations. NYIC will also create a training institute for community-based organizations serving the immigrant community. Total Project Cost: $8.6 Million
- The Treehouse Hourly Child Care, LLC (North Country) – $170,000 ESD Grant: Treehouse Hourly Child Care will purchase and renovate a building and expand its daycare services in Watertown, Jefferson County. The center has outgrown its current location, and this project ensures continued operation of the daycare and preservation of critical daycare slots. Total Project Cost: $850,000
- Rugo Holdings Inc. (Western New York) – $802,970 ESD Grant: The revitalization of the former Sacred Heart Church in Buffalo. This adaptive reuse project will result in a mixture of uses of space at the project site, including residential apartments, commercial offices and a community space. Total Project Cost: $6.3 Million
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 9,600 job creation and economic and community development projects consistent with each region's strategic plan. The application for ESD grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going basis as funds remain available. Applicants with strong, shovel-ready projects that align with the state and region’s economic development priorities can apply through the Consolidated Funding Application.
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 to slowly 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.
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