Deadline for consolidated funding applications for round five of REDC initiative is fast approaching

Due by 4 p.m. this Friday, July 31

Up to $750 million in economic development resources available for more than 20 funding programs from 11 state agencies

Empire State Development today reminded potential applicants that the deadline for consolidated funding applications for Round five of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Council initiative is 4 p.m. Friday, July 31. Applications to competitive programs that are still in progress after the 4 p.m. deadline will not be accepted - no exceptions.

The CFA was established in 2011 to streamline the application process for state economic development resources. It serves as the single entry point for businesses, municipalities, not-for-profits and the public to access up to $750 million in economic development funding available this year.

Once an applicant submits a CFA, the application is reviewed by the local Regional Council and ranked as part of its strategic planning process. The CFA and guidance materials are available at https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/.

The list of specific resources available in round five, as well as application materials and the 2015 guidebook, are available online at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

Available Economic Development Resources

There are 11 state agencies participating in round five, including Empire State Development, Canal Corp., New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Environmental Facilities Corp., Homes and Community Renewal, Department of Labor, New York Power Authority, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of State, Department of Environmental Conservation and Council on the Arts.

Specific funding programs and amounts available through the CFA in 2015 are below:

•Direct Assistance to Business and Other Organizations: Up to $234.25 million

Empire State Development (ESD)

• Up to $150 million for ESD grant funds
• Up to $70 million for Excelsior Jobs Program
• Up to $1.25 million for the Innovation Hot Spots Program
• Up to $1 million for ESD grants for strategic planning and feasibility studies
• Up to $12 million for Market New York

•Community Development: Up to $56.9 million

New York State Council on the Arts

• Up to $5 million for arts, culture and heritage projects

Homes and Community Renewal

• Up to $25 million for New York State Community Development Block Grant Program
• Up to $9.7 million for New York Main Street Program

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

• Up to $16 million for Environmental Protection Fund municipal grants
• Up to $1.2 million for the Recreational Trails Program

•Waterfront Revitalization: Up to $18 million

Department of State

• Up to $17 million for the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

New York State Canal Corporation

• Up to $1 million for the Canalway Grants Program

•Energy: Up to $50 million

New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA)

• Up for $50 million for energy-efficiency programs

New York State Power Authority

• Up to 141 MW for Recharge New York

•Environmental Improvements: Up to $51.85 million

Department of Environmental Conservation

• Up to $2 million for New York State DEC/EFC Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant
• Up to $35 million for the Water Quality Improvement Projects Program

Environmental Facilities Corporation

• Up to $14.85 million for the Green Innovation Grant Program

•Sustainability Planning and Implementation: Up to $34 million

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

• Up to $30 million for the Cleaner Greener Communities Phase II Implementation Grants

Department of State

• Up to $4 million for local government efficiency grants

•Education/Workforce Development: Up to $5 million 

Department of Labor

• Up to $5 million for workforce development

•Low Cost Financing: Up to $300 million

Empire State Development

• Up to $300 million for Industrial Development Bond cap

The CFA allows an applicant to access multiple funding sources from a number of existing programs through one comprehensive application, significantly simplifying the process for seeking state funding.

Visit https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/ to submit your application.

•Upstate Revitalization Initiative: $1.5 billion

In January of this year, Cuomo announced the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and the partnership between the Regional Economic Development Councils to invest $1.5 billion in upstate New York. The URI is an opportunity for the communities to address the economic challenges of their regions and work together in bringing jobs back. The URI is a separate competition and deadline from the CFA. The URI includes up to $500 million for three selected REDCs to implement over a five-year period. The following regions may submit one revitalization plan by Oct. 5, 2015: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier.

Proposals should be submitted through the CFA by filling out the questions included in the "URI Intent to Propose" section of the CFA. Applicants must register a new application and log into the CFA to answer the questions online at https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa. A URI intent to propose is not a substitute for a CFA for an ESD capital grant or other state agency resources.

About the Regional Economic Development Councils

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of Cuomo's transformative approach to state investment and economic development. In 2011, Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils 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. After four rounds of the REDC process, nearly $3 billion has been awarded to more than 3,100 job-creation and community-development projects consistent with each region's strategic plans, supporting the creation or retention of more than 150,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.