Finger Lakes region secures $67.3M in economic development funds
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that more than $761 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round IX of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
Since its inception in 2011, over $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 240,000 jobs statewide through the REDC process.
“Throughout the Regional Economic Development Council process over the past nine years, we have seen unprecedented regional investment focusing on a ground-up, strategic model that has spurred tremendous growth in every corner of this great state,” Governor Cuomo said. “By bringing together local leaders and stakeholders who are invested in their communities we have replaced the ‘one size fits all’ approach to economic development with one that is unique to each community, creating opportunities for success all across the Empire State.”
“By empowering local officials and stakeholders who know their communities best, we have transformed the state’s economic development strategy into one that is not only successful, but is built to last,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils. “Together, we are revitalizing downtowns, supporting and attracting businesses, and welcoming new residents and visitors. Through the REDCs, we are advancing the strategic economic development strategies of each region and supporting growth as part of the Downtown and Upstate Revitalization Initiatives. With a focus on workforce development and growth of high-tech industries, we are adding new job opportunities and strengthening the economy of New York State.”
Today, more than $761 million in economic and community development funding was awarded through Round IX of the REDC initiative:
- Western New York: $67.3 million supporting 109 projects
- Finger Lakes: $64.4 million supporting 94 projects
- Southern Tier: $88.9 million supporting 109 projects
- Central New York: $86.2 million supporting 93 projects
More information on the 2019 Regional Economic Development Council Awards, including a full list of awardees, is available here.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “For nearly ten years, the REDC process has been the driving force behind New York State’s economic development decisions, and the model is a proven success. As the process enters the next decade, we are seeing the legacy of past projects being completed and excited about the new economic development opportunities our REDCs continue to identify.”
The REDC process has transformed New York State government’s approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Established in 2011 as a centerpiece of the governor’s strategy to jumpstart the economy and create jobs, the Regional Councils replaced the state’s old top-down approach with one that is community-based and performance-driven.
This spring, Governor Cuomo launched Round IX of the REDC initiative and the fourth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. A full list of communities in which $10 million will be invested through the DRI, along with their applications, is available here.
In 2019, all 10 REDCs competed for up to $150 million in capital funds and $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects identified by the Regional Councils as priorities in their regions. All ten regions competed for designation as a Top Performer with the five top performing regions being awarded a share of $100 million in ESD capital grants. The remaining five regions were awarded a share of $50 million in ESD capital grants. Each region was also awarded a share of $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in the region.
The Regional Council priorities this year included working with local businesses and communities to identify childcare needs and develop potential solutions; developing an economic and environmental justice strategy for the region; supporting community investment in place-making and downtown revitalization; and supporting the state’s $175 million Workforce Development Initiative. Each council was asked to address these items in ways that complement each regional vision.
During Round IX, the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT), comprised of state agency commissioners and members of the New York State Legislature, received presentations on this year’s proposals from each of the ten Regional Councils and assessed the implementation of the regions’ strategic plans.
Highlights of the nearly 1,000 projects across the state receiving $761 million in awards through the ninth round of the REDC competition are outlined below:
Finger Lakes: Regional Council Awardee | $64.4 million supporting 94 projects
- UR Medicine Home Care Relocation – UR Medicine Home Care (URMHC) will receive $2,000,000 from Empire State Development to relocate its corporate headquarters to the City of Rochester to help centralize, improve, and expand operations. Moving their primary operations to a more centralized location will help URMHC hire staff to meet growing demand and provide better care and improve access for patients.
- Webster Economic Access Project – The Village of Webster will receive $1,838,000 from Empire State Development to rehabilitate and modernize the primary roads within the Xerox Corporation industrial campus. Improving access to and through the park will enhance the long-term use and growth of the site for Xerox and other potential tenants.
- Durand Eastman Park Public Beach House Design– The City of Rochester will receive $375,000 from Department of State to design a beach house to support the public swimming beach at Durand Eastman Park on Lake Ontario. The beach house will include restrooms, changing rooms, a lifeguard office and first aid station, storage, exterior deck areas, and a safe beach egress. The project will implement the City of Rochester Local Waterfront Revitalization Program by improving public access and amenities to Lake Ontario and by advancing compliance with the NYS Code for bathing beaches.
Southern Tier: Top Performer | $88.9 million supporting 109 projects
- Upstate Campbell Expansion – Upstate Farms Cheese, LLC, a subsidiary of farmer-owned Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., will receive $2,280,000 from Empire State Development to modernize its Campbell facility to increase capacity, update infrastructure, enhance quality programs, and expand sustainability initiatives.
- Airport Corporate Park Child Care Center – Country Kids Childcare Center, LLC will receive $400,000 from Empire State Development to relocate existing operations to a newly built facility, expanding access to child-care and creating new jobs in Chemung County.
- Transonic Systems Advanced Manufacturing – Transonic Systems will received $440,000 from Empire State Development to transition their existing manufacturing plant in Ithaca to include automated processes, allowing the company to create jobs and meet continued demand for their medical device products.
Central New York: Top Performer | $86.2 million supporting 93 projects
- Cayuga Milk Ingredients, LLC – Cayuga Milk Ingredients (CMI) will receive $5,000,000 from Empire State Development as part of an overall investment of approximately $89,000,000 to install an evaporator and feed system and a UHT/Aseptic bottling line. With this investment, CMI, a respected manufacturer of high quality/infant grade milk ingredients, will increase output by 20% and increase sales of high value milk powders around the globe.
- Tessy Plastics Expansion Project – Tessy Plastics Corp. will receive $5,000,000 to redevelop one of its existing facilities in Central NY, allowing it to expand the number and type of products it manufactures. The project will include the creation of a controlled environment clean room, improvements to building mechanicals and utilities, upgrades to exterior areas including loading docks and parking lots, and other building specific improvements as needed, such as warehouse space or office space.
- ACCESS Dental Laboratories – ACCESS Global Enterprises, LLC will receive $430,000 to renovate the property at 1081 S. Salina Street in Syracuse, Onondaga County, into a light manufacturing facility and a day care center. The project includes building renovations and the purchase and installation of production machinery and equipment.
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