December 18, 2017

Council Named Top Performer In Round VII of Regional Council Initiative

As part of Round VII of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC)  was awarded $84.8 million for 113 projects as one of five regional Top Performers. After seven rounds of the Regional Council initiative, the Mid-Hudson Region has received $560.7 million in state resources to support 687 projects across the region.  

MHREDC Chair and Marist College President Emeritus Dennis Murray said, “I am delighted that the Mid-Hudson was chosen a Top Performer for the second year in a row.  This award supports projects ranging from major infrastructure to family-owned businesses. Our work has strengthened the vitality of our region and I’m confident these new projects will make the Mid-Hudson an even better place to live, work, and play.  My thanks to the members of the MHREDC for their good work in putting our plan together, and to the Governor and other elected officials for their support.” 

Each of the seven counties within the Mid-Hudson Region received funding for select projects, including 19 MHREDC priority projects. Several highlights of Mid-Hudson Region projects awarded funding in Round VII include:   

  • JM Development Group LLC, in partnership with Kingston-based Herzog Supply Co., has been awarded $2 million from Empire State Development for the Kingstonian Uptown Revitalization Project, a mixed-use development project in the up-and-coming urban center of Uptown Kingston. The approximately $48 million mixed-use development project will serve as a cornerstone to the city's historic Stockade District, complementing other area businesses and providing valuable parking spaces desperately needed in this fast-growing section of the city. 
  • USAI, which creates custom LED products balancing color and optics to maximize circadian rhythms for performance, health, and well-being, has been awarded $1.02 million from Empire State Development to support Phase 2 of its expansion – a $3.8 million project that will attract clients from around the world to train and develop products specific to their needs. Clients will also experience the benefits of working in a curated lighting environment through the creation of a working laboratory, new engineering lab and expanding office space.  
  • Bowery Brewery has been awarded $2 million from Empire State Development to construct a new 30,000 square foot building, as well as 200 covered parking spaces in the Village of Port Chester. The new building will house a mid-sized production brewery, taproom and covered parking lot. 

More information on the 2017 Regional Economic Development Council Awards is available here.  

The REDC process has transformed government’s approach to economic development in New York State, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process.  Since 2011, the first year of the initiative, over $5.4 billion has been awarded to more than 6,300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 220,000 jobs statewide. 

During Round VII, the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT), which is composed of state agency commissioners and policy experts, traveled to each of the 10 regions to see firsthand the progress being made by REDC investments. The SIAT received presentations on this year's proposals from the Regional Councils directly and assessed the implementation of the regions' strategic plans. 

Regional Council priorities in 2017 included: 

  • Identifying projects for the State life sciences cluster; 
  • Supporting Downtown Revitalization Plans and identifying downtown projects; 
  • Identify workforce development strategies and shrink the skills gap through collaboration with industry and educational institutions; 
  • Implementing strategies through the project pipeline; and 
  • Measuring the performance and progress of the strategic plan and CFA projects. 

To learn more about the MHREDC, please visit https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/mid-hudson

About the Regional Economic Development Councils The Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative is a key component of Governor Cuomo's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. 

After seven rounds of the REDC process, more than $5.4 billion has been awarded to more than 6,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each regions strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 220,000 jobs. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit regionalcouncils.ny.gov.