National Grid is planning to spend $4 billion over the next six years to upgrade and strengthen its electrical transmission system from Buffalo to Albany. The utility says a program it had dubbed the Upstate Upgrade will include 70 different projects that will take place through 2030 and create 1,700 new construction jobs. | The Times Union has details on the project here.
Western New York elected officials joined University at Buffalo Provost A. Scott Weber, UB Vice President for Research and Economic Development Venu Govindaraju and members of the Empire AI consortium today in support of Empire AI, a bold and first-in-the-nation initiative that will position NY as the national frontrunner in responsible artificial intelligence innovation. | Read more on Niagara Frontier Publications.
The Mohawk Valley EDGE executive committee has appointed Shawna Papale as Acting President in the wake of the March 6 passing of the economic development organization's longtime President Steve DiMeo. Papale is a 28-year veteran of the organization, most recently serving as Chief Administrative Officer. | The Central New York Business Journal has more here.
On Long Island, women empower economic development. Today, the group Women Economic Developers of Long Island (WEDLI) has about 55 members "who come from all spectrums of the business world on Long Island," said Judith White, a founder of CJ2 Communication Strategies. | Read more about the group on Long Island Business News.
Waga Energy, a global expert in the production of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from landfills, and Steuben County, a county covering 1,397 square miles with a population of approximately 94,000, are producing renewable natural gas at the Steuben County Landfill in Bath, New York. The RNG is delivered into the Corning Natural Gas system. | Read the story on AccessWire.
National Grid awarded $2 million in Economic Development Grants in 2023 to more than 20 projects across Long Island. The grant program supports growth in several sectors: construction projects, new technologies, manufacturing certifications, green infrastructure, and job creation. | Read more about the work here.
Just a month after Metropolitan Realty Associates closed on its $12.6 million acquisition of a Bayport cold storage distribution property, the company has landed a tenant. Bakery Process Solutions, a contract bakery firm headed by industry veteran Julio Llovet, signed a 15-year lease for the 75,000-square-foot building. | More here from Long Island Business News.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation announced the release of an up-to-$100 million request for proposals for an operator to develop a world-class Climate Innovation Hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. This cutting-edge hub is expected to grow New York City's climate technology ecosystem. | The Brooklyn Eagle has more here.
HP Hood, a leading dairy processing plant based in Lynnfield, MA, is set to embark on a significant expansion project in Batavia, NY next month. The company plans to invest $120 million in the expansion, which aims to enhance the facility's capabilities and increase production capacity. | See the story on Dairy News Global.
An Ithaca-based consultancy, Community Revitalization & Rejuvenation Consultants, has been selected to spearhead the creation of a new economic development strategy for the city of Geneva. The initiative, aimed at fostering short- and medium-term economic growth, commenced after the city issues a call for proposals in January. | Read more at Finger Lakes 1.
The County of Oswego IDA was the recipient of a $2.787 million dollar grant from the NYS Department of Transportation Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program (PFRAP) for the Novelis Oswego Rail Project. | Oswego County Today has more here.
A printing and direct-mail company in Clay plans to relocate to Oswego County and expand its operations. The County of Oswego IDA unanimously approved an initial resolution for financial assistance at its February meeting for ACLS Direct Inc. That triggers a public hearing before the IDA's board can make a final decision. | See the story at Oswego County News Now.
The Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), which is expected to deliver 1,250 megawatts of renewable energy to New York City, has yet to break ground in Rockland County, but preparations are underway at the project will have a profound impact on the county soon and for years to come. | More here from the Rockland County Business Journal.
The Oswego County Industrial Park is running out of a developable land as several new projects come to fruition, leading officials to reiterate the importance of a planned adjacent expansion. Operation Oswego County Executive Director Austin Wheelock said that there is about 20 acres of usable land left in the existing park. | Read more at Oswego County News Now.
Latham hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power has been awarded $75.7 million in two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to refine and expand its manufacturing output at factories it operates both here in the Capital Region and in Rochester. | The Times Union has the story here.
This two-day event, on April 23 - 24 in Herkimer, will showcase opportunities to revitalize and redevelop brownfield sites in the Mohawk Valley. Registration is now open.
The Authorities Budget Office is conducting webinars for Authority board members. Completion of the session will satisfy the requirement that members complete mandatory State approved training.
Courtney Dunbar, site selection lead at Burns & McDonnell, recently asked Matt Olson, Burns & McDonnell’s chief innovation officer, about how companies are navigating the digital transformation and its potential of fostering sustainable, resilient manufacturing practices.| Read more at Area Development
38th Annual Corporate Survey: Are Unrealized Predictions of an Economic Slump Leading Small to Mid-Size Companies to Put Off Expansion Plans?
Small and mid-size firms — which account for most of the Corporate Survey respondents — are holding their plans for new and expanded facilities in check despite economic news being better than what had been predicted.
DiNapoli: NYC Immigrant Workforce Below 2015 Peak; Federal Policies Still Weighing on City's Labor Force
The size of New York City's immigrant workforce was flat over nearly a decade, according to a new report from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Through 2023, the foreign-born labor market grew 18.5% since 2015 nationally, while New York City's declined 0.6%, according to data analyzed from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"New York City's labor market and economy greatly benefit from the contributions of immigrant workers," DiNapoli said. "Many industries rely on foreign-born workers to keep businesses going, but we've seen a decline in this workforce when compared to the city's peak in 2015... Federal immigration policy must be reformed to ensure that the economic prosperity that foreign-born workers have helped fuel in New York City can continue."
