NYSEDC Latest News: September 8, 2025

eAdvance

Keeping NYSEDC members in touch and informed

September 8, 2025

Projects, Communities, + People in the News

As New York school districts prepare to transition to electric school buses over the next decade, utility companies are working to meet the increased demand. Rochester Gas and Electric is collaborating with local school systems to ensure a smooth transition from diesel to electric fleets. | WHAM News Channel 13 has the story.

In New York City, employers are adding far fewer jobs, and even the health care sector could soften. But the city’s economy appears stronger than those on the West Coast. | See the trends on the New York Times.

With a $50,000 award for Phase 1 of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Natural Carbon Solutions Innovation Challenge, Greene County company Build With Nature is looking to expand its straw-based construction in the Capital Region. | Read more through News 10 ABC.

Green Acres Mall is moving forward with a new construction project. The $100 million mall renovation will boost employment in the shopping center, the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency said. | See more through Patch.

A $53 million renovation is currently underway at the J.M. Smucker Co.'s Milk-Bone plant on Buffalo's East Side. The renovation includes new processing equipment for the 550,000 square foot plant located on Urban Street in Buffalo. | Learn about the renovation on WGRZ 2.

City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced the Binghamton Local Development Corporation, or BLDC, approved an option agreement for the sale of its property on West State Street. | WBNG News 12 has the story.

Within a span of days, semiconductor giants GlobalFoundries and Micron announced they are doubling down on their commitment to the Empire State. GlobalFoundries (GF) announced plans to invest $16 billion to expand semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging capabilities across its facilities in Malta, and Micron touted its ongoing megafab investment in Clay. | Read more on Site Selection.

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Golf Course is less than a month away, and leaders in both Nassau and Suffolk counties are gearing up. Held Sept. 23-28, the golf tournament is expected to bring at least $150 million in economic impact to the region. | Learn about the event through Long Island Business News.

Six counties in Greater Rochester will receive $4 million in state funding while $15 million has been allotted to Wyoming County, part of New York State’s continuing broadband infrastructure connectivity efforts. | See the story on the Rochester Business Journal.

NYSEG announced that it has officially energized a brand-new substation in Raquette Lake, replacing a 70-year-old facility as part of its statewide grid modernization and resiliency efforts. The new substation will serve roughly 1,900 customers. | Finger Lakes 1 has more here.

The Mohawk Valley Economic Development District, Inc. recently announced it has been awarded funding through the USDA Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). This grant will enable MVEDD to expand its support for rural microenterprises across the region. | Read more at the Daily Gazette.

UPCOMING NYSEDC EVENTS

NYSEDC Leadership & Policy Summit

November 12 - 13

Sponsorship Open; Registration Coming Soon!

JOBS BOARD

The Herkimer County IDA is hiring a Marketing & Communications Specialist and a Community & Business Development Specialist

Schenectady Metroplex is hiring an Executive Assistant

The Center for Economic Growth is hiring a Director of Supply Chain Development

Wyoming County IDA is hiring an Executive Director

Ontario County Economic Development is hiring a Community Economic Development Coordinator (apply here)

RFP LISTINGS

The City of Binghamton seeks professional services to develop a redevelopment plan for the Binghamton Plaza. RFQs are due by 10:30am on Wednesday, October 8th.

See the RFQ and additional details here.

Have a job posting, RFP, or news story to share with the NYSEDC and its membership?

Email updates to Steph Cavalier.

The Bigger Picture

New Yorkers See Higher Utility Rates as State Struggles to Manage Affordability

Ratepayers in the Capital Region and other areas of New York have seen higher than normal electric bills this year. There’s no one bogeyman out there driving up costs or a perfect solution to remedy it. Energy prices are complex and entangled with government polices and widespread global trends.

Read more on the Times Union.

Walmart Says Tariff Costs Are Rising 'Each Week' and Will Continue

Walmart says it has been able to mitigate many of the tariff costs so far, but they are rising "each week" and will continue to do so through the rest of the year.

Retailers and manufacturers have so far avoided major price increases for two main reasons: tariffs rolled out much slower than originally threatened, and companies have stockpiled goods ahead of time.

NPR reports on the increases here.

U.S. Adds Only 22,000 Jobs in August

U.S. employers added just 22,000 jobs in August, according to a report Friday from the Labor Department. The unemployment rate inched up 4.3%. Revised figures also show there was also a net loss of jobs in June for the first time since 2020, in the midst of the pandemic.

See more here.

New York State Policy and Programs

$200 Million in New York State Funding Available for Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward Programs

Governor Hochul today announced that $200 million in funding is available through the State’s two signature downtown revitalization and economic development programs—$100 million each for Round 9 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and Round 4 of the NY Forward program, which focuses on revitalizing smaller and rural downtowns.

Together, the two programs have awarded $1.2 billion in funding to 151 communities across every region of the state. Applications are now available through the State’s Consolidated Funding Application Portal. The deadline to apply is November 7, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. The deadline for New York City communities to submit their applications to their Borough President’s office is October 31, 2025.

Learn about the two programs and requirements here.

Governor Hochul Awards $11 Million to Boost Clean Hydrogen Projects in New York

Governor Hochul announced the allocation of over $11 million to five clean hydrogen research and development projects aimed at advancing New York's clean energy initiatives. The funding will support projects that demonstrate new technology designs, reduce costs associated with clean hydrogen storage and distribution, evaluate large-scale storage opportunities, and deploy zero-emission hydrogen-powered transportation.

Read about the projects here.

NYPA, Hochul Attend Roundtable to Boost New York's Nuclear Energy Workforce

Governor Hochul announced the convening of an advanced nuclear energy workforce roundtable in New York City, bringing together leaders from across New York, the U.S., and Canada to discuss the future of the nuclear workforce. Hosted by the New York Power Authority, the event focused on training and apprenticeship programs to support job expansion in the nuclear energy sector.

Learn more at this link.

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