More than $38 million awarded in round XI of Regional Economic Development Council Initiative

Most recent round of approved awards supports 47 shovel-ready projects; full list of awardees to-date can be found here

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more than $38 million has been awarded to support 47 priority projects across New York 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.

"New York is not only going to recover from the pandemic, but will flourish, and this new funding will attract companies that will help fuel our postpandemic economy," Hochul said. "These awardees are going to bring good-paying jobs to communities across the state, boosting local economies and bringing economic opportunity to all New Yorkers. I look forward to seeing the continued work of the Regional Economic Development Councils as they help usher in a more prosperous New York for decades to come."

Included was Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, which earned a $2.06 million ESD grant. The biologic therapies facilities project is in its second phase of development. This project aims to create a world-class current Good Manufacturing Practice-compatible cell production facility, promoting the development and testing of cellular products for patients with cancer. Roswell plans to renovate the second floor of the Cancer Cell Center of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centers' campus by adding five more clean rooms and auxiliary rooms to the existing four operational clean rooms, as well as providing the necessary equipment and laboratory and clinical research infrastructure.

A press release said, “The BTF project is central to efforts to accelerate advances in cancer immunotherapy by promoting the development and clinical testing of unique platforms of immunotherapy developed at Roswell Park, and by accelerating the introduction of novel therapies developed by its partners to Roswell Park patients.”

Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said, "As we rebound from the pandemic, we must invest in people and projects that will help usher in a new era in New York. The funding Gov. Hochul and I are announcing today will go to businesses that we believe will achieve just that. I look forward to continuing to partner with the Regional Economic Development Councils across the state, so that we can keep local businesses at the heart of our state's recovery effort."

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "Our Regional Economic Development Councils have recommended projects that will capitalize on talent, infrastructure and industry in order to grow the local economy. We continue to invest in and support efforts to build back throughout New York state with a strategic focus on creating jobs and increasing opportunity now and for the future."

These awards are in addition to the $576 million awarded to 791 projects from multiple state agency programs through Round XI of the governor's Regional Economic Development Council Initiative announced in 2021 to stimulate New York's postpandemic economic recovery.

The application for traditional ESD Grant funds remains open until 4 p.m. Friday, April 15. 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 additional round of priority projects was recommended by each Regional Council because of their project readiness and alignment with each region's strategic plan.

Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.