HERNANDEZ TELLS BUSINESS COUNCIL $10 BILLION EMPIRE OPPORTUNITY FUND WILL BRING BUSINESS AND TALENT BACK TO NEW YORK

 

Joseph Hernandez, Republican candidate for New York State Comptroller, addressed The Business Council of New York State’s 2026 Annual Meeting on Friday, September 25 at The Sagamore Resort, outlining his plan to use the Comptroller’s office to help drive economic growth, attract investment and keep businesses and talent in New York.

 

Hernandez highlighted his proposed $10 billion Empire Opportunity Fund, which would invest pension capital in competitive opportunities tied to New York’s economy, including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, aerospace and defense, energy and financial technology.

 

“New York has the talent, universities, businesses and capital to be the economic engine of this country, but for too long we have watched companies, jobs and talented young people leave,” said Hernandez. “We need to create an environment where businesses want to invest, entrepreneurs want to build and the next generation wants to stay.”

Joseph Hernandez addresses The Business Council of New York State’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Bolton Landing.

Hernandez said the Empire Opportunity Fund would seek competitive returns for pensioners while directing more attention toward investment opportunities that can expand New York’s economic base.

 

“We manage one of the largest pools of capital in the world. We should be asking where the best opportunities are and whether we are overlooking great businesses being built right here in New York,” Hernandez said. “My $10 billion Empire Opportunity Fund will look for investments that can deliver strong returns while helping bring businesses, jobs and talent back to our state.”

 

Hernandez also pointed to his three decades of experience building companies, raising capital and investing across biotechnology, healthcare, finance and advanced technology as the approach he would bring to the Comptroller’s office.

 

“I’ve spent 30 years building businesses and competing for capital and talent. I know what it takes for companies to grow,” Hernandez said. “As Comptroller, I’ll bring that experience to Albany and work to make New York a place where capital is invested, businesses are built and opportunity grows.”