Frequently Asked Questions

Membership and Organization

• What will the role of Regional Co-Chairs be?

  By empowering those who know their regions best, the Regional Councils will identify opportunities and projects that are best positioned to create jobs now. The expedited review at the state level will ensure these opportunities and projects are advanced as quickly as possible to yield returns in the short-term, while laying groundwork for growth in the long-term. The statewide Chairman’s Committee will provide an opportunity for the Regional Co-Chairs of each Regional Council to provide information and feedback from the regions directly to the leaders of State agencies – problems and opportunities will be identified and can be acted upon quickly because of greater communication channels and the State’s commitment to addressing regional needs.

• Will there be bipartisan representation on the Council?

  Members are selected based on their leadership role in the region, not their political affiliation.

• What role does higher education play in the Regional Councils?

  Our public and private higher education institutions are essential components of the State’s economic engine, serving as centers of innovation and research, teaching the business leaders of tomorrow, anchoring our communities, and creating jobs. Accordingly, each Regional Council will include members affiliated with higher education institutions located within that region and meetings will be held at higher education institutions. As part of the newly created NYSUNY 2020 program, SUNY university centers will also submit plans outlining how these institutions will support the work and priorities of the Regional Councils.

• What staff support from State agencies is available to the Regional Councils?

  Empire State Development (ESD) will serve as the lead agency managing the Regional Councils. ESD Regional Directors will act as the executive directors of each Regional Council, and regional ESD offices will provide administrative and research support. Other State agencies, authorities and departments will be active participants on the Councils and provide necessary resources. In addition, academic institutions, think tanks and other independent organizations may be invited by the Regional Councils, as appropriate, to contribute to the development of the Strategic Plans.

• What role do elected officials have in the Regional Councils?

  The Regional Councils will include elected officials in an advisory, exofficio capacity. On Long Island, the membership will include the chief executive of each county and the chief executive of the two largest towns within each county. In New York City, membership will include one representative appointed by the Mayor of the City of New York and the borough president of each county. In every other region, membership will include the chief executive or supervisor of each county, and the chief executive or supervisor of the three municipalities with the largest population, with a limit of one municipal representative per county. These elected officials will act in an advisory capacity and participate in discussions and the planning process.

• How will Regional Council members avoid conflicts of interest?

  To ensure transparency and accountability, a Code of Conduct has been established to ensure there are no real or perceived conflicts of interest that would interfere with any member acting in the best interest of all New Yorkers. In addition, members will be required to participate in ethics training and recuse themselves from deliberations regarding any project or matter which poses an actual or potential conflict.

• Will members be compensated for their time or receive any extra benefits?

  No, members will serve at will and pro bono to ensure all members are working only in the best interest of their regions.

• Can additional members be added to the Council?

  The Regional Councils’ initial membership has been selected based on a process that has now come to a close. Work groups will play an active role in the development of the Strategic Plans and will provide opportunities for substantive involvement in the Councils by other stakeholders in the region.

• How much will Regional Councils cost taxpayers?

  Regional Councils will be supported by existing resources and personnel that are currently dedicated to economic development efforts. By marshaling the State’s existing resources, the Regional Councils will actually maximize taxpayer money by streamlining and coordinating the economic development and planning process, cutting waste, and reducing duplication.

Regional Competition

• How were regional boundaries drawn?

  Regional boundaries are based on existing Empire State Development and Department of Labor regional boundaries. This will allow the Councils to maximize efficiency and capitalize on existing programs, synergies and relationships.

• How will conflicts between regions be resolved?

  Inter-regional or statewide conflicts will be resolved by the Chairman’s Committee, led by the Lieutenant Governor. In general, the Chairman’s Committee will address issues that affect multiple regions, such as barriers to economic growth, and facilitate communication between the State and the Councils.

• Will the Regional Councils receive assistance in preparing their Strategic Plans?

  There will be State agency staff assigned and available to assist the Regional Councils throughout the planning process. Council members will be asked to contribute expertise, experience, and available resources to the strategic planning effort and will ultimately be responsible for writing the Strategic Plan in accordance with the work plan outlined in this guide

• What happens after the first round of allocations are made – will there be further contests for funding or will allocations be based on the Strategic Plan?

  There will be ongoing opportunities for the Regional Councils to identify priority projects and apply for future State funding on an expedited basis.

Citizen Participation

• How will the Councils maintain transparency? Are meetings open to the public?

  To ensure a transparent process, Regional Councils will host public sessions. Regional Councils are also encouraged to design innovative ways for stakeholders and the public to actively participate in the planning process. Meeting dates and locations will be available online. In addition, Strategic Plans and progress reports will be posted on www.nyworks.ny.gov.

• Where can I find membership and contact information for my Regional Council?

  All information about the Regional Councils can be found at www.nyworks.ny.gov.

• How can a project be submitted to the Regional Council for consideration and review?

  Any project may be submitted for consideration to the Regional Council Executive Director. The project will be submitted to the appropriate work group for review and recommendation by the full Council.

Executive Involvement

• What will be Governor Cuomo’s role in the Regional Councils?

  Economic development is a top priority of Governor Cuomo’s administration, and the Regional Councils are the cornerstone of his economic development agenda. Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Duffy will guide the Regional Council program to achieve economic growth, create jobs, and reinforce the message that New York State is Open For Business.

• What will be Lieutenant Governor Duffy’s role in the Regional Councils?

  Economic development efforts are more likely to succeed when championed by a prominent leader. Lieutenant Governor Duffy is a former Upstate Mayor with a record of improving the Rochester and Western New York economy. He will chair each Regional Council and will convene a statewide Chairman’s Committee to address issues that affect multiple regions.

Resource Allocation

• What funds will be available through the Regional Councils next year and beyond?

  The 2011-12 Budget provides for $130 million in capital funds to be available immediately. Additionally, $70 million in Excelsior Tax Credits are available beginning in the 2012 tax year to be disbursed over the course of ten years.

• Will the Regional Councils be disbursing funds directly?

  No. The Regional Councils will play an advisory role in the allocation of state resources. Each Council’s Strategic Plan will help to guide and prioritize the State’s deployment of economic development funds.

• Who decides how resources are allocated?

  State agencies will continue to make all final decisions about how resources are allocated. For the initial competition, however, a Strategic Plan Review Committee will analyze and compare each region’s Strategic Plan. Based upon this review, four regions will be awarded $40 million each in capital funding and tax credits to be applied toward the priority capital projects identified in their plans. The remaining allocations will be divided among the other six regions.

• Who will participate in the Strategic Plan Review Committee?

  The Strategic Plan Review Committee membership will be selected by the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, and will consist of State agency leaders and leaders from independent, non-partisan, and widely respected public policy, economic development, academic, and other organizations.

• What kind of projects might the Councils identify and prioritize?

  The Regional Council program recognizes that no two regions are identical – and that no one knows their regions better than the people who live there. Strengths, assets and priorities vary from region to region, and the projects identified by each region will vary accordingly. Each Regional Council will conduct a community-based strategic planning process to identify regionally significant projects that are ready for investment and capable of stimulating economic growth and community development.

Continuous Review & Reporting Requirements

• How will the progress and success of Regional Councils be measured and reported?

  Each Regional Council will prepare an annual report listing the Council’s activities and the status of funded projects. The first such report will be due on December 31, 2012. Additionally, Empire State Development will prepare an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the Regional Councils, including the direct impact made on economic conditions, businesses, and projects in the region and recommendations for improvements to make the program more effective.

• How will the State measure the overall success of the regional approach?

  Governor Cuomo is focused on performance and results. To ensure that the Councils are successful in spurring economic growth, performance measurement will be a key component of the Regional Councils program. The ultimate indicator of success will be jobs created, amount of new investment, and other economic indicators. Statewide, the success of the regional approach will be measured by improvement in the business climate and overall economy.

Regional Planning

• Are the Regional Councils another layer of government? Won’t they make it more difficult to conduct business in New York State?

  To the contrary, Regional Councils will make it easier to conduct business in New York State by serving as a single point of contact to help businesses navigate State government regulations and resources. Regional Councils will also work with businesses and State agencies to identify and mitigate regulatory burdens that impede economic growth.

• How is the regional approach better than the current approach?

  The Regional Council approach is a fundamental departure from New York’s traditional economic development approach, which has been top-down and State-directed. The Governor’s vision is that the State will rely on regional expertise to identify and prioritize significant projects that would maximize the State’s return on investment.

• This sounds like it will take a long time to bear fruit. We need jobs now. How will the Regional Councils help in the short-term?

  By empowering those who know their regions best, the Regional Councils will identify opportunities and projects that are best positioned to create jobs now. The expedited review at the state level will ensure these opportunities and projects are advanced as quickly as possible to yield returns in the short-term, while laying groundwork for growth in the long-term. The statewide Chairman’s Committee will provide an opportunity for the Regional Co-Chairs of each Regional Council to provide information and feedback from the regions directly to the leaders of State agencies – problems and opportunities will be identified and can be acted upon quickly because of greater communication channels and the State’s commitment to addressing regional needs.

NYS Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)

• What is a NYS Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)?

  As part of the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative, the CFA is a modern and easy-to-use online application to access up to $1 billion in economic development resources currently available from multiple New York State agencies and authorities. Through it, applicants can access multiple State funding sources through one application. Application materials can be accessed through http://nyworks.ny.gov.

• Why should a grant applicant apply for funding through the CFA process?

  The CFA is a more efficient and effective process for applicants, and is the only way to apply for the $1 billion currently available in economic development funding. In the past, applicants had to navigate multiple agencies and applications without any mechanism for coordination. Under the new process, the CFA will serve as the single entry point for access to economic development funding. The CFA can be submitted by an applicant for single or multiple sources of funding through one application, making it quicker and easier for economic development projects to receive funding.

• Who submits a CFA?

  An applicant can submit the CFA via a secure, web-based application for the following projects:

  • Affordable Housing
  • Community and Waterfront Revitalization
  • Direct Assistance to Businesses
  • Energy and Environmental Improvements
  • Low-Cost Financing
  • Municipal/Public Infrastructure
  • Parks, Historic Preservation and Heritage Areas
  • Sustainability Planning Assistance
  • Transportation Infrastructure
  • Workforce Development

• Which agencies offer funding through the CFA?

  Nine State agencies have made funding available through the CFA process, including: Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; Energy Research and Development Authority; Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; Department of Labor; Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State; and Department of Transportation.

• What resources are available to Regional Councils through the CFA?

  Up to $1 billion in State resources will be accessible through the CFA to support the priorities and goals identified by each of the Regional Councils’ strategic planning process.

  Approximate resources currently available through the Consolidated Funding Application process include:

  
  

  Empire State Development

  • $130 million in capital funding through the Regional Council Capital Fund
  • $70 million in tax credits from the enhanced Excelsior Jobs Program
  • Up to $19.2 million in Economic Development Purposes Grants
  • Up to $1 million from the Environmental Investment Program
  • Economic Transformation Program capital funds and/or tax credits to support communities affected by closures of correctional and juvenile justice facilities
  • $50 million in capital funding
  • Five fully-refundable tax credits over five years

  Energy Research and Development Authority

  • Up to $75 million from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and programs
  • Up to $9.6 million for Cleaner, Greener Communities Program ($100 million total available over 3 years)

  Homes and Community Renewal

  • Up to $44 million from the Community Development Block Grant Program
  • Up to $125 million in housing grants, low-interest loans & tax credit programs

  Department of Transportation

  • Up to $43.4 million in Transportation Bond Act, Aviation, Rail & Port Funds
  • Up to $6.9 million in Multi-Modal Funds

  Environmental Facilities Corporation

  • Up to $20 million from the Green Innovation Grant Program

  Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

  • Up to $13 million for Municipal Parks and Historic Preservation Projects

  Department of State

  • Up to $10.875 million from the Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

  Department of Labor

  • Up to $3 million is available for Workforce Investment Act related training and workforce development activities

  NYS Canal Corporation

  • Up to $1.5 million from the Canalway Grant Program

  Private Activity Bond Cap (Industrial Development Bond Cap)

  • Up to $350 million from the Federal IDB Cap allocation will be available for State and local government issuers to sell tax exempt bonds for private projects that demonstrate a public purpose

  As the CFA process is revised and improved, additional resources will become available.

• Where can an applicant find guidance on applying for specific funding programs?

  On the CFA home page, several documents are posted, detailing how to use the CFA and outlining the available CFA resources. These documents provide applicants with information about the application as well as programmatic detail for each resource that is a part of the CFA process.

• Is a hard copy of the application available? What if the applicant needs assistance in filling out the application? What if the applicant has any additional questions about the CFA?

  Since the CFA is a dynamic web-based application based on the selection project types, there is no printed copy of the CFA. While the CFA site is ADA compliant, for the aged or disabled who would like assistance and those with limited computer access, these applicants should reach out directly to their Regional Council through the appropriate email address below. A staff person from the Regional Council can help an applicant apply. For additional questions related to the application, the applicant should reach out through the same email address.

  Capital Region: CFARegion1@ny.gov

  Central New York: CFARegion2@ny.gov

  Finger Lakes: CFARegion3@ny.gov

  Long Island: CFARegion4@ny.gov

  Mid-Hudson: CFARegion5@ny.gov

  Mohawk Valley: CFARegion6@ny.gov

  New York City: CFARegion7@ny.gov

  North Country: CFARegion8@ny.gov

  Southern Tier: CFARegion9@ny.gov

  Western New York: CFARegion10@ny.gov

• What if a project is eligible for funding that is not accessible through the CFA process? How do Regional Councils support applicants in obtaining these resources?

  Regional Councils are about making State government work better for businesses to create an environment that will put New Yorkers back to work. Each Council is staffed by representatives from a broad spectrum of State agencies who will help identify priority projects and potential funding sources within their agencies and then directly assist applicants throughout every step of the process. In addition, relevant agencies are continuing to work to ensure that regulations, guidelines, and internal procedures for economic development loan and grant programs take into account each region’s strengths to create lasting economic opportunities.

• What if an applicant has already submitted an application for a CFA resource with the relevant agency?

  For applications that have already been submitted to an agency for a program that is part of the CFA process, but has not yet announced funding awards, the applicant does not need to submit a new application. That application will be considered in the normal course of business. Under this process, if the applicant applies directly to the agency, the agency will submit the applications to the Regional Councils for their recommendation as to whether or not the project is consistent with the strategic priorities of the region. The agency will take that advice into account when awarding projects. However, going forward, if there are additional grants made available for these programs, the applicant would have to complete a CFA.

• What is the CFA timeline and how does it relate to the work of the Regional Councils?

  The CFA solicitation will be open for 60 days – from September 2 and applications will be due by 4:00PM October 31. Final attachments related to program specific requirements are due by 4:00PM Friday, November 4.

  By mid-September each Regional Council will have developed its own set of endorsement standards to score the CFAs submitted in its region.

  On November 14, the Regional Councils will submit their final strategic plans to the Strategic Plan Review Committee for consideration.

  • These strategic plans will identify priority projects submitted through the CFA process that are eligible for the competitive funding sources – the $130 million in capital funding and $70 million in Excelsior Tax Credits.
  • The Regional Councils will also submit a list of final CFA project endorsements.

• What happens to the application once it is submitted?

  Once the CFA is submitted by the applicant, it goes to the local Regional Council(s) to be reviewed and ranked as part of its strategic planning process. Once a project is endorsed through the CFA process by the Regional Council, the agencies that administer the economic development program will exercise due diligence to determine relevant legal issues and potential disqualifying concerns.

• How will the Regional Councils develop endorsements?

  Each Regional Council will develop scoring criteria for CFA projects based on the criteria outlined in page 37 of the Open for Business Guidebook. The Regional Council will create a score sheet that reflects how it will select priority projects to reflect the strategic vision of the region. This is the score sheet for the Regional Councils – each Council will assign points (out of 20 points) to eligible projects.

  Endorsement standards that are created by the Regional Councils will elaborate on the following:

  • Vision 5% = 1 point
  • Public/Stakeholders 10% = 2 points
  • Strategies 35% = 7 points
  • Implementation 15% = 3 points
  • Leverage Resources 15% = 3 points
  • Performance Measures 20% = 4 points

  Each project will score between 0 and 20 points.

• How will the agencies score the CFAs?

  The agencies have their own score sheet to assign points to eligible projects. The score sheet should incorporate the individual program’s technical scoring requirements based on the program requirements. The agencies have also aligned their scoring criteria with the criteria outlined on page 37 of the Open for Business Guidebook. Once the agency has determined the technical score of up to 80%, that number will be combined with the Regional Council scoring of up to 20%.