Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that over $22 million has been awarded to support 21 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.

"Together, the Regional Economic Development Councils are growing New York's economy by emphasizing the rich assets in every corner of our state and investing in projects that will create good, high-quality jobs," Governor Hochul said. "As we continue to make deep investments in New York communities, we remain committed to doing so in a way that expands opportunity, drives private investment, and bolsters our talented workforce."

"By recommending shovel-ready projects that support each region's strategic plans, the Regional Economic Development Councils are improving communities now as well as for future generations," said Lieutenant Governor Delgado. "These projects showcase how the Regional Councils are laser focused on driving economic growth and prosperity across the State."

The application for ESD Grant funds remains open, and applications are being reviewed on an on-going 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.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The Regional Councils continue be an important voice for communities across the state by recommending projects that will drive our economy forward. These awards will further transform local economies across the state by creating good jobs and generating new investments."

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

    Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc. (Central New York) - $2.8Million ESD Grant, $1 Million Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Owens-Brockway Glass Container is., a glass container manufacturer, will upgrade its facility in the Town of Sennett, Cayuga County. The upgrade will enhance the viability of the plant by rebuilding and redesigning an aging glass manufacturing furnace, converting it into a new more sustainable furnace, reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.

    Diamond Packaging Holdings, LLC (Finger Lakes) - $500,000 ESD Grant, $1 Million Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Diamond Packaging, a designer and manufacturer of innovative and sustainable folding cartons, will invest in new equipment and facility renovations. The company will purchase a new printing press, sheeter and a new die cutter to further enhance their facility in Rochester.

    eVero Corporation (Long Island) - $550,000 Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: eVero, a Melville-based healthcare software developer, builds software centered around self-directed care. The company will make investments in an expansion and purchase of new equipment.

    Westchester County Health Care Corporation - WMCHealth Cellular Tissue Engineering Laboratory (Mid-Hudson Region) - $700,000 ESD Grant: Westchester Medical Center (WMC) houses the Cellular and Tissue Engineering Laboratory (CTEL). The CTEL is a state-of-the-art cell manufacturing and processing facility, one of the only cell and tissue engineering labs in the Hudson Valley. WMC will complete phase II of construction which includes the addition of an Experimental Cell Therapy Facility (ECTF). The facility will advance New York's life sciences ecosphere through research and clinical application of translational cellular therapies.

    MHXCO Foam Company, LLC (Mohawk Valley) - $500,000 ESD Grant: MHXCO Foam Company, a manufacturer of foam products, plans to acquire a self-shielded Electron Beam (for cross-linking (the second of three steps in foam manufacturing) foam to increase manufacturing efficiency and global competitiveness. This investment will keep the entire production process in-house, under its roof on Edson Street and allow the company to become completely vertically integrated.

    City Innovations Collaborative - Life Science Incubator Facility- (New York City) - $4.5 Million ESD Grant: The City Innovations Collaborative (CInC) is a new regional innovation engine created by the City College of New York to seed, cultivate, and sustain a thriving regional life science ecosystem for its underrepresented NYC community. CInC will be an anchor tenant in the new Taystee Lab Building adjacent to the City College campus in West Harlem and will support commercialization efforts for several new ventures concurrently.

    Turin Highland Lodge (North Country) - $120,000 ESD Grant: Turin Highland Lodge will be a newly constructed six-room lodge that will support winter and summer motorized and non-motorized recreational opportunities in the Tug Hill Region.

    Storflex Holdings, Inc. (Southern Tier) - $2.2 Million ESD Grant, $950,000 Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit: Storflex, a manufacturer of retail shelving, plans to complete a two-site expansion project in the Town of Erwin and the Village of Riverside, both located in Steuben County. The business expansion project will support the multistage manufacturing of designer retail shelving components, walk-in coolers and freezers, and engineering services to supply customers throughout North America and Canada. Storflex will add new production lines, including a new robotic welding line and a new paint line.

The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. To date, more than $7.7 billion has been awarded to more than 9,500 job creation and community development projects through the REDC Initiative consistent with each region's strategic plan.

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.