NYSEDC Latest News: March 16, 2026

eAdvance

Keeping NYSEDC members in touch and informed

March 16, 2026

Projects, Communities, + People in the News

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation announced more than $3.2 million in Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Grant Awards to 26 communities and organizations. | Sun Community News has more on the grant awards.

The Orange County IDA, in partnership with the U.S. EPA, has launched a new initiative to transform abandoned, contaminated sites into clean, safe properties ready for redevelopment. | The Times Hudson Valley has the story.

NYSERDA announced over $4.5 million in funding to two projects that will enhance zero-emission transportation connections in downstate New York. | Learn about the awardees here.

Casestry, a B2B print-on-demand service in Ilion, shipped approximately 1.2 million products in 2025. The company sites Herkimer IDA, Mohawk Valley EDGE, and Mohawk Valley Community College as supporting their growth. | See more on the Rome Sentinel.

Yonkers' fast-growing film industry is a dynamic economic engine generating for the city approximately $46 million in sales and nearly $12 million in earnings, according to an economic impact report prepared by Camoin Associates. | Read about the report on the Yonkers Times.

PowerBank's solar project in Skaneateles Falls has been approved for up to $1,965,520 in incentives through the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) NY-Sun Program. | North American Clean Energy reports on the project.

The Fulton County Center for Regional Growth is once again joining forces with regional partners for the fifth annual Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit. | Learn more about the event.

CiTi BOCES and Oswego County government have joined forces to build up a local workforce for a once-in-a-generation wave of economic growth. CenterState CEO projects that by 2050, public and private investment will exceed $100 billion across the central NY region. | Oswego County News Now has more.

Rochester is emerging as a central hub for the circular economy in the United States, creating a new chapter in the city's history of innovation. | Read more on Democrat & Chronicle.

New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) announced the Buffalo Street Station project has been completed. The new station will receive natural gas from a high-pressure transmission pipeline. | See the story on WRGZ 2 News.

A new CEO, Jose Luis Crespo, has taken over at Plug Power, succeeding Andy Marsh as part of a planned transition. | The Albany Business Review has more here.

Coinbase plans to expand its research and development operations in New York City, creating more than 630 new high-tech R&D jobs. | Read more on Business Facilities Magazine.

Upcoming NYSEDC Events

Annual Meeting

Registration Opens Soon

May 20 - 22 | Cooperstown

Basic Economic Development Course

Registration Opens Soon

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

Requests for Proposals

The NYSEDC, in coordination with ESD, seeks proposals from digital marketing firms to lead a rebranding effort for NY Loves Nano (NYLN) and a complete overhaul of the consortium's digital presence. Proposals are due 5:00pm ET on March 27th. View the full RFP here.

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

NYSEDC Team Joins International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit, New York Business Blueprint Event

NYSEDC Executive Director Ryan Silva traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this month for the 2026 IEDC Leadership Summit -- bringing together economic development leaders from around the world to advocate for policy priorities and shape the future of our field. Silva, an IEDC Board Member, advocated on behalf of New York State and the NYSEDC membership.

Silva also gave opening remarks at The Business Council of New York State's event "New York's Business Blueprint: Cutting Red Tape" in New York City. Participants discussed the state's regulatory environment, attracting new industries and talent, and positioning New York for the future.

Join the Glass4Chips 2026 Summit in Albany, New York

Join FuzeHub in partnership with SEMI and NY Creates for the Glass4Chips Summit 2026 on May 14 - 15 in Albany, NY. This two-day event convenes leaders across industry, government, and research to advance glass substrates for next-generation AI and 6G packaging. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of advanced packaging.

The Bigger Picture

Texas is lapping New York in building renewable energy. Here's why.

Over the last two years, Texas added more wind and solar power than New York has in the last two decades, a gap that has increased even as the mandates required by the state's 2019 Climate Act are looming.

Read more at the Times Union.

Jobs Evaporated in February, a Troubling Sign for the U.S. Economy

Hiring fizzled in February: employers slashed 92,000 jobs, with losses cutting across nearly all major sectors.

The report dimmed the picture of the labor market, injecting a surprising note of caution into an economy already reeling from chaos in energy markets and fresh unknowns over trade policy.

Read about the most recent jobs report in the New York Times.

New York State Policy and Programs

Application Window Open for Round Eight of Grow-NY International Competition

Empire State Development (ESD) announced that the application window is now open for the eighth round of Grow-NY -- the New York State-supported international food, beverage, and agriculture business competition.

Winning companies must commit to making a positive impact in the 22-county Grow-NY region.

Learn more about the competition here.

North Country, Central New York Winners of Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Program Announced

For Round Nine of the DRI and Round 4 of the NY Forward Program, each of the State's 10 economic development regions are being awarded $10 million from each program, for a total state commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

To date, total investments in the DRI and NY Forward have reached $1.4 billion.

See the North Country winners here.

See the Central New York winners here.

NYSEDC | nysedc.org | 518.426.4058