Governor Cuomo Announces $785 Million in Economic Development Funding Through Regional Councils

Mid-Hudson Region (which includes Dutchess County) will receive $67 million and the Capital Region (which includes Columbia County) will receive $62.7 million in competitive grant monies earmarked for economic development and job creation.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $785 million has been awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative, continuing the Governor's efforts to redesign the way state government works in order to drive economic growth and create jobs.

 Announced in July, Regional Councils represent a fundamental shift in the state's approach to economic development from a top-down development model to a community-based, performance driven approach which empowers individual areas to develop comprehensive strategic plans that invest in regional solutions to create jobs and economic growth. As part of the Regional Council process, a Strategic Plan Review Committee was chosen to analyze and rank the strategic plans for each region competing for $200 million in specially targeted economic development funding.

"Regional collaborations and planning is a roadmap to get New Yorkers back to work," Governor Cuomo said. "The plans submitted by all ten regions were truly extraordinary. For the first time, we are putting the power of the State Government behind the innovation of our people, giving them the tools to rebuild our economy."

Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy said, "Under Governor Cuomo's transformative Regional Council initiative, New York finally has the strategic economic development planning to change the way it does business. By engaging the expertise of those who know their regions best we can capitalize on each region's greatest assets to maximize job creation and economic growth."

The plans are the result of months of consideration by the Regional Councils and input from the public in each region. The process included holding over 100 public meetings, forums and community workshops across the State. Thousands of New Yorkers contributed to the development of the plans through these events.

In addition to the strategic planning grants made available through the Regional Council initiative, a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) was created to give businesses and other entities streamlined and expedited access to economic development funding from nine state agencies and 29 existing programs. Awards for CFA projects were based on the endorsement of the local Regional Council and the technical scoring of various state funding agencies. Additionally, approximately 800 eligible applicants will receive funding from NYSERDA's energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Consistent with the Governor's Executive Order issued earlier this year to increase Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation in state contracting, all projects awarded grants through this initiative must use best efforts to reach the goal of 20% MWBE participation.

For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

REGIONAL PLANS AND PROJECTS

WESTERN NEW YORK NAMED BEST PLAN AWARDEE: RECEIVES $100.3 MILLION FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Strategy for Strengthening Research & Development and Other Key Sectors

In its plan, "A Strategy for Prosperity in Western New York," the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council focused on preparing the region's workforce for employment in key industry sectors, driving innovation and commercialization, investing in smart growth infrastructure, and attracting more visitors.

The plan identified eight industry sectors as strategic to the Region's growth: health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy, higher education, professional services, agriculture, bi-national logistics and tourism.

Leveraging Research to Drive Innovation

$5.1 million will support the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Genome project to build a robust approach to personalized medicine. The approach will enhance the study of genetic sequences, the health information data associated with individuals' genetic sequences, and enable analysis and discovery to inform more personalized, and more effective, medicine.

$500,000 will enable the Hauptman-Woodward Crystallization Laboratory's expansion of its crystallization laboratory biotech services, to offer competitive, revenue-generating and sustainable research.

$4 million for development of the Jacobs Institute of its Center for Innovation in Medicine, a cutting-edge, state of the art medical device prototyping facility at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. This facility will be the only U.S. center for entrepreneurship in the heart of a clinical facility. It will include a fabrication center, a machine shop and a clean room to create new devices and techniques and a training center for physicians to test those devices.

$2.8 million for Alfred University to purchase equipment and renovate facilities at its High-Temperature Materials Characterization Laboratory. Improvements will include capacity for testing applications for high-temperature materials including labs in wind energy/fluid mechanics; thermal science/solar energy; photovoltaic solar energy/alternative fuels and power conversion. Alfred's lab already provides critical research support to several major New York State companies and small fuel cell development companies.

Investing in Smart Growth Infrastructure:

$1 million to reconstruct East State Street (NYS Route 417), home to and a major entrance to several of Olean's largest employers and the nexus of city's commercial area, will enhance access to jobs, services and the downtown area.

$1 million to renovate long-vacant and deteriorated properties located at State and Union Streets in Olean's downtown district. This revitalization will be critical to encouraging private investment downtown.

$4 million to enable a major project to strategically connect five downtown districts of Buffalo. The project will reestablish high quality multi-modal transportation corridors that link Main Street, the Genesee Gateway and the Buffalo Niagara Medical campus, by making streetscape improvements and returning cars to Main Street.

Investing in Tourism and Travel

$2 million for renovation of nearly 90,000 square feet of the former Rainbow Centre by Niagara County Community College for a Hospitality and Tourism Center, to include the Culinary Institute of Niagara Falls. A transformational project, the center will both leverage and support the regional assets of Niagara Falls. The facility will be the primary home of the Center's academic and administrative offices, including Culinary Institute classrooms and labs for all hospitality and tourism academic degree and certificate programs.

$6.8 million for a 1,000-space expansion of parking facilities at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in response to market demand.

Investing in Energy Development

$1.25 million to assist Hebeler Corporation in expanding production of Liquid Natural Gas fuel tanks for medium and heavy duty trucks to meet increased market demand.

Investing in 21st Century Workforce

$800,000 for the John R. Oishei Foundation, expanding the Buffalo Arts and Technology Center to support training and education for under-represented populations in Buffalo.

$2 million to construct the Urban Automotive Center of Excellence in Buffalo's Fruit Belt District to provide automotive repair training, GED certificates and mentorship assistance to local residents. The project is being developed through a partnership with Erie Community College, General Motors and the Niagara Frontier Auto Dealers Association.

The approved Western New York regional plan includes 96 funded projects totaling $100.3 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

SOUTHERN TIER AWARDED UP TO $49.4 MILLION FOR 58 PROJECTS

Strategy for Innovative Collaboration and Economic Growth

The Southern Tier Regional Council developed a vision for economic growth and job creation that builds upon the region's strengths by promoting innovative collaborations in the areas of energy, transportation, health care, food, and agriculture.

The Council's plan identified strategies to make it a leader in renewable energy technology, strengthen its transportation technology and manufacturing sector, integrate health care and higher education, and revitalize its rural farm and forest-based economy.

Through a comprehensive economic development plan focused on improving and growing the area's core industry clusters, the Southern Tier is focused on restoring the region's competitiveness both nationally and internationally.

Strengthening the Region's Economic Development Foundation

Despite suffering devastating flood damage in the wake of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the Southern Tier persevered and the State remains a partner in its recovery. The State recently announced it will provide $60 million in assistance to retain two major employers impacted by the flooding – BAE and Amphenol – saving almost 2,400 local jobs.

$4.8 million will go toward the Southern Tier Community Revitalization Project to finance the private sector redevelopment of key buildings, the infill of new buildings and the development of the region's downtowns, neighborhoods and rural population centers. This will establish a critical resource for communities damaged by the recent storms.

Investing in Regional Infrastructure to Grow and Attract New Businesses

$2.5 million will capitalize the Regional Infrastructure Fund for Shovel Ready Sites. This funding will serve as matching funds to leverage federal, state, municipal, and private investment for future development to help the region attract new businesses.

Revitalizing the Rural Farm and Forest-Based Economy

$3 million for the Southern Tier Economic Development Council's revolving loan program to reduce financial risk and increase sustainable agriculture and forestry ventures. The loan fund will be used to improve product development and promotion, business infrastructure, and development and utilization of new technology.

Investing in Transportation Infrastructure Improvements

$1.8 million to the Wellsboro & Corning Railroad Co. for the restoration of main line railroad track and the reconstruction of a former second main track. This project will help advance necessary improvements in transportation infrastructure, allowing the railroad to continue to provide timely, efficient, and environmentally friendly service to rail commuters in the Southern Tier.

$1.5 million for the rehabilitation of the Utica line between Broome and Chenango and Bath & Hammondsport to provide timely and efficient rail service to industries in the Southern Tier.

The approved Southern Tier regional plan includes 58 funded projects totaling $49.4 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

FINGER LAKES REGION AWARDED $68.8 MILLION FOR 93 PROJECTS

Strategy for Investing in Educated Workforce and Advanced Manufacturing

The Finger Lakes' strategic plan built on existing natural resources, a talented and educated workforce, and a commitment to innovation and philanthropy. It also built off the area's standing as the state's top agricultural region, its national leadership in per capita intellectual property and degrees in higher education.

The plan focused on the region's existing collaborations between public and private institutions to optimize performance in advanced manufacturing, the arts, tourism, and basic and applied research in medicine, science, engineering, and technology.

Encouraging Innovation

$5 million will help expand a partnership between the University of Rochester and IBM and will support a new Health Sciences Center for Computational Innovation. The partnership will continue to work to create the world's most powerful computer system dedicated to health research. The center will also enable the university to grow its research funding and accelerate the development of the region's life sciences sector.

Enhancing Strategic Industries

$3.5 million will go to NYBEST Battery and Energy Storage Product Commercialization Center. This funding will help renovate and equip a facility to build, test and characterize batteries and energy storage devices at the Eastman Business Park in Rochester.

$2.5 million will help construct a new business incubator at High Technology Rochester to ensure better coordination among fledgling tech-sector startups.

More than $1.5 million will be used for advanced manufacturing projects, including $1.25 million for e2e Materials, Inc. to establish a full-scale production facility. This new facility will manufacture sustainable bio-composite products that replace high-volume wood/wood composite materials in applications such as cabinetry, furniture and automotive components in Geneva.

Tourism & Arts

$2.28 million will support the development of a new Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum located at Keuka Lake State Park.

The approved Finger Lakes regional plan includes 93 funded projects totaling $68.8 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

CENTRAL NEW YORK NAMED BEST PLAN AWARDEE:  RECEIVES $103.7 MILLION

Strategy for Strengthening Key Industries and Improving Business Competitiveness

The Central New York Regional Council designed a transformative blueprint that will guide the region's economic development efforts by leveraging key assets and developing strong regional collaborations.

The Council's plan proposed strengthening core industries and the region's unique economic assets including clean energy and environmental systems, health and financial services, agribusiness and food processing, advanced manufacturing, and tourism. Through strategies to promote entrepreneurship, small business development and workforce training, the region sought to enhance its connections to and competitiveness in the regional, national, and global economies.

Additionally, a main focus of Council's strategies was community revitalization by building upon partnerships between anchor institutions and diverse businesses, repurposing existing urban assets through adaptive reuse, and aligning high-demand careers with workforce training.

Investing in Biotech for Economic Revitalization and Growth

$3.6 million will enable the Bio Tech Park at Kennedy Square in Onondaga County to begin the redevelopment of a blighted site into a mixed use of residential, commercial and research facilities.

$2 million will enable completion of the Central New York Biotechnology Research Center. This project will provide startup laboratory and development space and rehabilitate a brownfield in the heart of the City of Syracuse. The project will capitalize on the region's strength in biotechnology and galvanize its potential as a world-class center for biomedical services and bioscience.

Strengthening Agribusiness and Supporting Community Redevelopment

More than $4 million will expand the milk processing capabilities at the Cayuga Ingredients Milk Processing Plant. This project will significantly bolster the region's agricultural production industry among global markets.

$1 million will support Nojaim's Supermarket, a collaboration of private business, a regional health institution, and a major university to address food deserts in an urban center. This project will help encourage health and wellness education.

$394,000 will support construction of the South Side Food Cooperative's new facility in the South Salina Trade Area. This project will help bring fresh, healthy, fairly-priced foods and household products to residents of the Southside neighborhood, while also promoting cooperative ownership and sustainable economic growth.

$3 million will support redevelopment of the Syracuse Inner Harbor for the transformation of 32 acres of waterfront property for housing, recreational and commercial opportunities. Brining new life into a struggling area, this project will support the Inner Harbor as it connects the City of Syracuse, through the New York State Canal System, to communities across New York State and throughout the eastern seaboard.

Investing in Advanced Manufacturing and Research Development

$3 million will create the New York Energy Regional Innovation Cluster at the Syracuse Center of Excellence. This project will support the expansion and equipping of space at the facility to study the energy efficiency of buildings.

$1 million will expand Currier Plastics in Cayuga County. This project will help improve the critical core cluster of advanced manufacturing and bolster the region's export capacity.

$1.5 million will help the C-Speed Advanced Technology Manufacturing Center in Onondaga County to commercialize state-of-the-art market air surveillance radar that can operate free from wind-tunnel disturbance. In partnership with research being conducted in the North Country, this project reflects the type of multi-regional collaborations inspired by the Regional Economic Development Council effort.

The Central New York plan includes a total of more than 74 projects and grants totaling $103.7 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

MOHAWK VALLEY AWARDED $60.2 MILLION FOR 59 PROJECTS

Strategy for Investing in Transformative Infrastructure and Creating a 21th century Workforce in the Mohawk Valley

The Mohawk Valley Regional Council Plan leveraged the region's assets and economic heritage to create a cohesive regional network of technological innovation, multi-modal transportation, and community revitalization.

The Council's plan was designed to promote the region's businesses, growth potential, employment concentrations, workforce skills, and expand the development of new products, services, and technologies. Proposed priority projects sought to increase the region's efficiency and productivity by leveraging physical and natural assets, and by modernizing the region's governance system.

Transformational Investment in New Technologies

$15 million will construct a new SUNYIT – CNSE Computer Chip Integration and Commercializing Center, a cross-university partnership between SUNY Institute of Technology and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany. This initiative will result in the construction of a 200,000 square foot facility on the SUNYIT campus at Marcy as well as developing infrastructure that will support the region's growing semiconductor and advanced manufacturing capacity.

$10 million will support infrastructure improvements to the planned development at MarcyNano and SUNY IT, including $5 million to enhance Oneida County's public sewer system and $5 million for the construction of the MarcyNano Ring Road.

Developing a New Innovative Business Park

$2 million will develop the Tryon Technology Park and Incubator Center in Fulton County. This project involves transforming the former Tryon juvenile detention facility into a job creating, revenue generating business park, modeled after three successful business parks already established in the county. Shovel ready sites will be created to attract businesses that would create more jobs than were lost in the closure of the juvenile detention facility.

Building New Waterfronts in Mohawk Valley Cities and Towns

Over $3 million will support major private-public waterfront projects at key regional hubs, including Utica, Rome, Amsterdam and Frankfort.

Innovation-Enabling Infrastructure

$1.5 million will construct a Biomass plant that will generate steam and electricity for customers of Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, continuing support for technological innovation in the Mohawk Valley.

Workforce Alignment and Education

Nearly $1 million will fund new training and educational programs at Mohawk Valley's academic institutions to boost the capacity and skills of the regional workforce. Programs being supported include the Cyber shield program at SUNY IT, training for healthcare professional programs at Herkimer Community College and rural education opportunities in the Milford School District.

The approved Mohawk Valley regional plan includes 59 funded projects totaling $60.2 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

NORTH COUNTRY IS NAMED BEST PLAN AWARDEE:  WILL RECEIVE $103.2 MILLION

Strategy for Investing in Infrastructure and Industries in the North Country

The North Country Regional Council Strategic Plan provided a long-term roadmap to attract private investment, promote and facilitate connectivity between communities, and create a climate that will allow entrepreneurs to flourish. It put forth ways to achieve its vision by capitalizing on the region's natural assets, talented labor pool, and entrepreneurial population.

Proposed projects were designed to launch the region's transformation by focusing on high-tech and traditional manufacturing, green energy production, agriculture, tourism, and arts and culture.

Developing Infrastructure

$9.9 million will rehabilitate the Newton Falls Rail Project to rehabilitate, reopening the 46 mile Newton Falls Rail Line. This project will restore and enhance the most efficient, environmentally-friendly, and reliable form of transportation, at the most cost-effective price, to service the paper mill at Newton Falls and the operations at Benson Mines.

$900,000 will support improvements to the water distribution system in the Village of Gouverneur to support the continued viability of the Kinney Drugs Distribution warehouse.

Revitalizing Communities

$4 million will support the development of community rental housing in the area of Fort Drum.

$3 million will support the construction of the new Clayton Hotel along the St. Lawrence River.

$397,000 will restore the 1924 Strand Theatre to the Strand Performing Arts Center in downtown Plattsburgh.

Investing in Industries

$2.5 million will support Bombardier's expansion of their main plant in Plattsburgh, which will increase their capacity for new contracts. The project includes a 57,000 square foot increase of the main plant, a 2,100 square foot expansion at the off-site testing facility, and electrification of an additional half mile of railroad track at the test facility.

$1.8 million will expand C Speed's advanced technology manufacturing center in Potsdam. In partnership with research being conducted in the North Country, C Speed will also be expanding facility in Central New York.

Research Innovation

$1.2 million will support the Trudeau Institute's Saranac Lake research campus to modernize laboratory medical facilities and hire scientists to explore disease protection techniques.

Connecting Communities

$472,000 will provide broadband access to communities throughout Hamilton County through a partnership with Frontier Communications. This project will install both middle mile and last mile fiber optic facilities to provide broadband service to several communities that currently have no existing broadband capacity.

The complete North Country regional plan includes 70 projects totaling $103.2 million in state support.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

CAPITAL REGION AWARDED $62.7 MILLION FOR 88 PROJECTS

Strategy for Local Collaboration and Growing Infrastructure

The Capital Region Economic Development Council Strategic Plan presented a vision to collaborate locally and make the region globally competitive and economically vibrant.

The region's core strengths in education, research, technology and advanced manufacturing, along with its natural resources, served as the basis from which to build the Capital Region into a world-class destination.

In support of the region's vision, the plan identified broad goals for growing its strategic industries, creating access to capital, strengthening education systems, and supporting infrastructure. It sought to revitalize urban centers, attract visitors and new residents and businesses using natural environment, history, arts and culture as beacons for the region.

Significant projects funded in some of the strategic sectors are:

Investing in Strategic Industries to Grow and Attract New Businesses

$1.5 million will establish a new Amkor manufacturing operation in Saratoga. Amkor is a leading provider of outsourced semiconductor assembly and test services.

$950,000 will create the New York Capital Research Alliance, which is aimed at leveraging the region's expertise in biotechnology, nano-biomedicine and biomedical science. The project is designed to attract private sector and federal funding to the Capital Region.

$3 million will be provided to enhance the region's leadership role in biotechnology through investments in biomedical translational research and a biotech corridor affiliated with SUNY Albany and other research partners.

Investing in Transportation Infrastructure to Increase Accessibility

$2.2 million will support the development of a rail transloading facility in Columbia County, which will serve businesses in the Capital Region that do not have rail access. The project will allow businesses to transfer products from trucks to rail cars for outgoing purposes and to move incoming products.

$3.8 million will update and expand Albany International Airport's maintenance facility to allow it to accommodate larger aircraft.

$11.5 million will reconstruct the Rensselaer wharf to double the capacity of the Port of Albany.

Tourism Enhancements to Grow the Regional Economy

$1.5 million will support the Destination Windham project, attracting new tourists to the area. The project includes a state-of-the art indoor ice skating facility, enhanced base lodge facility, new day care center, expanded ski trails, and improved parking, traffic management and storm water management systems.

Community Revitalization and Redevelopment

$2.5 million will revitalize downtown Troy and improve linkages with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at City Station.

$2.2 million will revitalize the Troy waterfront at Monument Square, including the construction of public amenities along the riverside, adjacent to the site of the planned Troy City Center residential/retail development.

$480,000 will support the creation of a multi-use trail along the Mohawk River as a component of a major private-public canal side redevelopment of the Schenectady ALCO brownfield site

The approved Capital Region regional plan includes 88 funded projects totaling $62.7 million. A complete list of projects is attached.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

MID-HUDSON REGION AWARDED $67 MILLION FOR 61 PROJECTS

Strategy for Investment in Region Resources and Emerging Bio-Tech Sector

The Mid-Hudson strategic plan was designed to take advantage of the region's location and resources. The Mid-Hudson Region contains a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, a full spectrum of businesses, local colleges and universities; a highly diversified and educated workforce; and proximity to New York City.

Biotech Incubator Center for Advanced Research at New York Medical College

$4 million will develop the New York Medical College's Biotech Incubator Center for Advanced Research in Westchester County. This project is part of a public-private effort to enhance job growth in the biotech sector and to enhance preparedness against chemical and biologic threats. This project will stimulate partnerships among scores of biotech companies not only in the Mid-Hudson Region, but also in Rochester, the Capital District and the SUNY academic centers.

Affordable Housing

More than $30 million will go toward the development of affordable housing and to community revitalization throughout the region.

Industrial Development

More than $8 million will be invested in local manufacturing firms, including $5 million for San-Mar Manufacturing to upgrade its facility to develop the regulatory infrastructure requirements set by the FDA. An additional $950,000 will go to Silarx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to expand a manufacturing facility for quality generic liquid pharmaceutical products.

Infrastructure Investments

Over $3 million will go toward critical infrastructure investments for local municipalities.

Workforce Enhancement

$1 million will renovate a currently vacant 130,000 square foot facility in the Village of Brewster to provide advanced training to first responders and critical infrastructure personnel.

The approved Mid-Hudson regional plan includes 61 funded projects totaling $67 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

NEW YORK CITY AWARDED $66.2 MILLION FOR 50 PROJECTS

Strategy for Providing Greater Opportunities to Distressed Communities While Expanding Economic Collaboration

New York City's Strategic Plan focused on accelerating economic growth and job creation by building on the city's strengths, while ensuring that lower income communities and populations have greater opportunities to participate in the benefits of growth. The plan supported prominent industries and large institutions that anchor the city economy, and expanded collaboration with other regions across the state to build new industry clusters.

Investing in Jobs and Commerce in the South Bronx

$29.5 million will transform the Hunts Point Produce Market into a modern food distribution facility. This project represents a major investment in one of the State's poorest communities—the South Bronx.

Opened in 1967, the produce market occupies 105 acres within the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center where over 115 food wholesaling and processing firms generate more than $3 billion in sales annually. However the inadequate and obsolete facilities have diminished the market's ability to provide the community with affordable quality produce. The newly funded facility will increase total storage capacity by 20%, allowing the wholesalers to eliminate temporary storage, expand their businesses, and improve air and food quality for residents and workers.

Green Redevelopment in Harlem

$10 million will develop CREATE @ Harlem Green, located on 125th Street in Harlem. This project will physically transform the former Taystee Bakery Complex into a state-of-the art mixed used, commercial building. The completed development will include 100,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, 90,000 sq. ft. of office space, 40,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 10,000 sq. ft. of community facility space. This project will provide much-needed affordable industrial and manufacturing space that will help retain and expand the city's industrial base.

Supporting Innovation Industries

$550,000 will support the NYC SeedStart program, a 12 week competitive accelerator program that provides $20,000 in seed funding to start-up companies in New York based innovation industries. NYC SeedStart raises investment capital and nurtures entrepreneurs throughout New York to help build innovative industry clusters.

The approv ed New York City regional plan includes 50 funded projects totaling $66.2 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf

LONG ISLAND NAMED BEST PLAN AWARDEE:  WILL RECEIVE $101.6 MILLION

Strategy for Economic Innovation and Revitalization

The Long Island Regional Council Plan advanced transformative projects that invest in four major categories: Innovative Economy, Smart Growth for Communities, Natural Assets and Workforce and Education. It also addressed challenges of a stressed infrastructure, loss of young workers and economic disparities.

The vision statement laid out a clear goal: "to support a sustainable, innovative and inter-connected job-generating economy that also redevelops areas suffering from disinvestment and mobilizes the entire region for years to come." The primary strategy was to grow the advanced manufacturing base while encouraging innovation in five industry clusters.

The elements of that strategy included: building on existing businesses; commercializing research; strengthening the workforce; promoting and protecting natural resources; providing equal opportunity in housing, employment and education; and investing in infrastructure and other industries (tourism, agriculture, and fisheries).

Investing in Innovation Economy

$5 million will support the Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Lab for the Smarter Electric Grid 3 project. This project will bring added regional benefits of lower power costs, and improved research capacity and training for high-tech students. Smarter Electric Grid 3 will operate out of a new facility to be built at Brookhaven National Lab (AEGIS), and the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University that will be augmented by construction of a new Smart Grid Test and Validation Facility.

$2 million will enhance construction of a new cancer drug testing facility at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The 8,000 square foot project, to be built in Woodbury, will be a first-of-its kind advanced testing facility.

$3 million will expand Amneal Pharmaceuticals' facility to retain and create critical high-tech jobs and partnerships with research institutions. Amneal is one of Long Island's largest pharmaceutical firms and this expansion will strengthen the region's position in the highly competitive fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.

Dedication to Community Revitalization, Housing and Transportation Infrastructure

$6 million will support Wyandanch Rising, which is part of a broader Nassau / Suffolk regional transportation and sustainable communities plan connecting Wyandanch to the Route 110 Corridor. It includes strategies to increase home ownership, retrofit and rehabilitate existing single-family homes with energy-efficient upgrades, employment training programs focused on green jobs, and rehabilitating an urban park in an underserved community.

$5 million will fund the Village of Hempstead mixed-use project involving 3,400 new housing units and 700,000 square feet of commercial, entertainment and retail space around Nassau County's busiest multimodal transit center. The project, which also includes the replacement of aged sewer pipes, will bring in new investment, jobs, and tax revenue.

$4 million will construct the Ronkonkoma-MacArthur Transit Hub project, providing for a new sewage treatment plant and allowing construction of a new transit-oriented, live-work-play destination in a blighted area. This project will also strengthen ties between Suffolk's busiest rail station and LI MacArthur Airport. The creation of a village downtown, which would include housing, retail, office and restaurants space, would transform the blighted area near the station into a vibrant community and meet a regional need for affordable housing and sustainable neighborhoods.

$2.5 million will go to Heartland Town Square in Islip to transform an abandoned, blighted property into a self-contained suburban city. This 452 acre mixed-use development project will be built in phases to include 9,300 rental units, 1 million square feet of retail and hotel spaces and 3 million square feet of office and commercial spaces.

Leveraging Natural Assets and Improving Tourism

$182,900 will expand bay scallop restoration efforts in Suffolk County, which includes the acquisition of machinery and equipment, supplies and working capital through the Cornell Cooperative Extension. A large-scale seeding program will improve the East End industry dramatically, increasing production for the region and New York City's gourmet markets and stimulating both business and job creation.

$100,000 will finance public access improvements to the Harborwalk and Harborfront Park in the Village of Port Jefferson. The park, adjacent to the Port Jefferson / Bridgeport Ferry terminal, has become an established tourist destination on the North Shore and has revitalized Port Jefferson's adjacent downtown business district.

Developing High-Tech Workforce Education

$1.8 million will help create and retain a technically proficient workforce. The project entails collaboration of Long Island's three workforce investment boards on the STEM Hub which will fund training focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

$2 million will support the Hofstra and Stony Brook University for the EngINE project. The project includes the acquisition of lab equipment, facility rehabilitation, and will boost the number of engineering graduates.

The approved Long Island regional plan includes 66 funded projects totaling $101.6 million.  For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf