NYSEDC Latest News: February 17, 2026

eAdvance

Keeping NYSEDC members in touch and informed

February 17, 2026

New York Launches EXPRESS NY, a New Statewide Effort to

Streamline Regulations and Improve How Government Works

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of EXPRESS NY (Expediting Processes and Regulations to Enable Streamlined Services), a new statewide effort to make government work better by tackling outdated and burdensome regulations, policies, and practices that stand in the way of delivering for New Yorkers.

New Yorkers should submit ideas in a new portal that the State has launched here. The call for ideas will be open until April 3.

Projects, Communities, + People in the News

The University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology have received $2 million in federal funds to advance the sharing of quantum information and develop an experimental network connecting their campuses. | The Rochester Beacon has more here.

New York Power Authority trustees have agreed to spend an additional $21.8 million on a power project that starts in Massena. The project is slated to be completed by 2030 in an effort to enhance grid reliability and to reduce maintenance costs. | Read more on North Country Now.

New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric are encouraging moderate-income customers to apply for a new energy affordability program that can help lower bills this winter. | More here.

The City of Rochester celebrated the grand opening of the new Alta Vista Complex. The development features 76 energy-efficient apartments and additional amenities. | News Channel 13 has the story here.

The Town of Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency has closed on its package of economic incentives that will assist in the expansion of a steel fabrication firm. | The Long Island Business News has more.

A South Korean-based cloud services provider is making a significant bet on Rochester as it establishes its U.S. headquarters and plans to add up to 100 local jobs this year. | See more on Rochester Business Journal.

A major part of the "semiconductor superhighway" in Upstate NY is nearing completion. The Edwards Vacuum facility being built in Genesee County is aiming to be up and running by April 1. | Read on News 13.

Syracuse University has secured just over $1 million in federal funding to establish a semiconductor thermal-noise testbed. It will advance domestic semiconductor-manufacturing capabilities while creating new job opportunities. | The CNYBJ has more.

Casestry founders, who both grew up in Herkimer County, knew they wanted to keep operations rooted in the Mohawk Valley. To accelerate their growth, they called on the New York State Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP). | Read more here.

The Montgomery Town Industrial Development Agency has approved a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes, sales and mortgage tax exemptions for Choice Films, which wants to construct a 76,000 square foot studio adjacent to its current one of the same size on Bracken Road. | Mid Hudson News has more here.

UPCOMING NYSEDC EVENTS:

Annual Meeting

May 20 - 22 | Cooperstown

Basic Economic Development Course June 8 - 11 | Albany

2026 IDA Academy

Date & Location TBD

JOBS BOARD

The Center for Economic Growth is hiring a Director, Economic Development

Riverhead IDA is hiring a Director of Business Development and a Client & Compliance Coordinator

Clinton County is hiring an Economic Development Coordinator

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Naturally Lewis is seeking Expressions of Interest for the redevelopment of the former Lyons Falls Pulp & Paper mill site. Learn more at this link.

Have a job posting, RFP, or news story to share with the NYSEDC and its membership? Email updates to Steph Cavalier.

Take This National Survey for Businesses and Economic Developers

The New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) and other statewide economic development associations are partnering on a national survey of businesses and economic developers. The goal of the survey is to better understand the economic development needs of businesses and the programs EDOs provide. Please participate in this survey to make sure that our state is represented in the analysis.

Take the survey here.

New York State Policy and Programs

Governor Hochul Announces 'Let Them Build' Agenda

Governor Hochul has highlighted her “Let Them Build” agenda, a series of landmark reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her 2026 State of the State.

NYSEDC Executive Director Ryan Silva commented "These initiatives will help reduce project costs, create predictability in the permitting approval process, and create economic opportunity across the state."

Learn more about the Let Them Build agenda.

Empire AI SUNY Campus Partnerships to Expand Access to AI Use for the Public Good

The partnerships will leverage the Empire AI supercomputer, housed at the State University of New York at Buffalo, to increase access to AI for research and professional development for SUNY students and faculty.

See the announcement here.