Projects, Communities, + People in the News

Chobani has selected the city of Rome as the site for a new $1.2 billion dairy processing plant, marking the nation’s largest investment in natural food manufacturing, company officials announced Tuesday. The state-of-the-art, 1.4 million square foot facility will be located at the Triangle Site in Rome, at Griffiss International Airport and is expected to bring over 1,000 new jobs to the region. | Read more at the Daily Sentinel here.

Goodbye Tech Garden. Hello INSPYRE Innovation Hub. The CenterState CEO unveiled the new name of its expanding downtown Syracuse business incubator at the economic development organization’s annual meeting. The organization launched a $32 million, two-story addition to the hub last year that will make it the largest business incubator in the state. | Syracuse.com has details about the announcement.

SUNY Oneonta has become the first SUNY campus to power part of its campus with 100% locally sourced renewable energy, thanks to a first-of-its-kind partnership with NYSERDA. The $2 million Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) purchase is part of NYSERDA’s voluntary Tier 1 REC Presale Program, which allows organizations to buy environmental attributes from new, state-approved wind and solar sources. The model is designed to be replicated by other universities, corporations, and institutions across the state. | Finger Lakes 1 has more.

Broome County saw a surge in economic development in 2024, with over $174 million in new private investment that is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs, according to The Agency's 2024 Annual Report. The Broome County IDA backed projects are also expected to generate $30 million in tax revenue for local and county governments. | See The Agency's Annual Report here.

A new report says more than 1,000 housing units are needed in Clinton County, New York, to meet the area’s need. The feasibility study spearheaded by the Clinton County Industrial Development Agency suggested five specific areas. | Learn about the study on WCAX.

During the April Board of Supervisors meeting, Commerce Chenango Director of Economic Development Tyler Oliver presented a pro-housing initiative designed to recognize and reward municipalities that are actively working to expand housing access, affordability, and equity. | The Evening Sun has more here.

Monroe Community College broke ground Tuesday morning on its new Advanced Technology Center. The 110,000-square-foot center will house programs including science, engineering, math, optics, automotive technology, precision tooling, HVAC, diesel mechanics, renewable energy and more. Officials said the $69.6 million investment will provide hands-on training for a variety of trades and emerging fields. | Read more here.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business conditions index improved 12 points in April but remained below zero at -8.1, which indicates continued contraction in the sector. | See the story on the Central New York Business Journal.

The production of Netflix's "Zero Day" added $146 million to New York’s economy, supporting 2,073 members of local cast and crew, according to data released Monday by the Motion Picture Association (MPA). | Read about the project.

WellLife Network has begun construction on a $40 million affordable housing project called Medford Gardens in Medford. Medford Gardens is supported by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credit Programs that are expected to generate $19 million in equity. | Long Island Business News has more.

Eight SUNY campuses have been awarded state funding to develop and advance artificial-intelligence (AI) research. The state has provided $5 million in funding to foster collaboration across disciplines to promote inclusive AI research, to address ethical concerns in the use of AI, and to advance responsible data use. | The Central New York Business Journal has the story.

The Onondaga County IDA approved a $3.5 million tax break for a global semiconductor maker that promises to create 80 jobs in DeWitt. The agency’s board approved $2.2 million in sales tax exemptions and $1.3 million in property tax exemptions for Semiconductor Components Industries LLC, which does business as onsemi. | Read more here.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is focused on finding innovative ways to use technology, especially artificial intelligence, to drive sustainable, equitable economic growth for New York residents and businesses. | See the City & State Q&A with NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball here.