Governor Hochul Announces Economic Development Awards Spurring More Than $5.2 Billion in Capital Investments and Supporting Nearly 6,000 Jobs

Western New York Firms Supported With Niagara Hydropower to Create More Than 100 Jobs

NYPA Board Approves $1 Million Funding Award to Restore Cultural Center in Niagara County

Governor Hochul today announced low-cost power awards to 11 firms that will spur more than $5.2 billion in capital investments. The awards, approved by the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees, support 5,781 jobs throughout the state. In addition, two funding awards, totaling more than $1 million, were awarded to two firms in Western New York, including the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center.

“My administration is spurring $5.2 billion in low-cost power investments across the State of New York – helping businesses thrive, and creating and maintaining jobs for New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “The Empire State is open for business, and these substantial investments in a clean energy future underscore our position as a global hub for modern manufacturing.”

ReCharge NY

The approved allocations of nearly 32 megawatts (MW) of low-cost power under the ReCharge NY program will be directed to nine companies in the Capital District, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Hudson Valley, New York City and on Long Island.

First announced by the Governor in May 2023, fairlife, a producer of milk and protein shakes, is investing $650 million to construct a 745,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Monroe County to produce milk beverages in the Town of Webster that will lead to the creation of up to 250 jobs. Empire State Development (ESD) is additionally providing up to $21 million in assistance for the project through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for the job creation commitments.

Also included among the ReCharge NY awards approved at today’s meeting was a 15 MW power allocation to GlobalFoundries, a Saratoga County-based semiconductor manufacturer, to expand its existing Fab 8 manufacturing site and then build a new, 358,000 square-foot semiconductor manufacturing facility on its campus in Malta as part of a nearly 2 million square-foot expansion, tripling its capacity to meet growing demand for chips. The NYPA board also approved an additional 90 MW of High Load Factor power that NYPA will procure for GlobalFoundries on the energy market. Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced GlobalFoundries’ $11.6 billion investment to expand its Saratoga County manufacturing plant.

ReCharge NY has strengthened New York State’s economy by encouraging companies to retain and create jobs, while sparking capital investment throughout the state. ReCharge NY offers power contracts with terms up to seven years. Half of the power — 455 MW — is from NYPA’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt hydroelectric power plants. The remaining 455 MW is lower-cost power bought by NYPA on the wholesale market.

A full list of today’s ReCharge NY power allocations and economic development awards is available here.

Western New York Hydropower

At today’s meeting, the NYPA Board of Trustees approved low-cost Niagara hydropower allocations to Buffalo Games and Mayer Brothers in Western New York firms.

Buffalo Games, an Erie County manufacturer of jigsaw puzzles and board games, was awarded 750 kilowatts (kW) of low-cost Niagara hydropower by the NYPA board to support the firm’s $6.5 million expansion project. Buffalo Games is upgrading its manufacturing capabilities, warehousing and distribution infrastructure, and power service. The expansion is expected to increase its jigsaw puzzle production by more than six million units annually and create 95 jobs.

ESD is incentivizing Buffalo Games’ continued growth in Erie County by providing up to $1 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in exchange for job creation commitments. In addition, Buffalo Games also received a $105,000 economic development grant from National Grid.

The NYPA trustees also approved a 210-kW Niagara hydropower allocation to Mayer Brothers for a more than $1.5 million expansion project. Mayer Brothers, one of the oldest family-owned businesses in New York State, is a manufacturer, processor, and distributor of apple juice, cider, water and other beverage products. The firm, established in 1852, will construct a new building to produce bottles used in the cider and water sectors of its operation. The building will house additional equipment and machinery related to its bottling operations, accommodating an increase in the output of bottles, and allowing the company to produce beverages in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The expansion project will support nearly 300 jobs, with six being newly created.

Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for companies within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority's Niagara Power Project or businesses in Chautauqua County.

Western New York Power Proceeds

At today’s meeting, the NYPA board also approved more than $1 million in funding awards from the Western New York Power Proceeds Fund to the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center and Irish Welding in Erie County.

The Niagara Arts & Cultural Center, a non-profit organization that houses work from more than 100 artists and is comprised of three theaters, a radio station, a public classroom space, and two public and numerous private galleries, was awarded $1 million of Power Proceeds funding to support an $8.5 million restoration project. The project will upgrade the facility’s Legacy Theatre, associated restrooms and energy infrastructure, including upgrading the facility’s HVAC system. The project is also being supported by a $4 million capital grant from the Regional Economic Community Assistance Program, which is managed by ESD.

The NYPA board also approved an $87,000 funding award to Irish Welding, a Buffalo-based, family-owned company that distributes carbonic supplies and gases, and soft drink syrup and juice products in Western New York. The funds will be used by the firm to undertake a nearly $437,000 project to construct a new water line. Irish Welding currently receives its water from an old, 3,000-foot line often subjected to railroad traffic vibration that has caused leaks. The project will allow the company to remain at its current location, supporting 83 jobs.

NYPA funding awards are made possible through net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower generated at the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and stems from power proceeds legislation signed into law in 2012.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $46 billion in 65 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

State Labor Department Releases Preliminary February 2024 Area Unemployment Rates

 

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for February 2024. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The State’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. To recap last week’s statewide press release, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.5% in January to 4.4% in February 2024.

Local Area Unemployment Rates* (%)

February 2023 and February 2024

(Not seasonally adjusted)

The data in the preceding table are not seasonally adjusted, which means they reflect seasonal influences (e.g., holiday and summer hires). Therefore, the most valid comparisons with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month, for example, February 2023 versus February 2024. Labor force data for the current month are preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available the following month. Revised estimates for prior months are available at: https://dol.ny.gov/local-area-unemployment-statistics Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are the most up-to-date estimates of persons employed and unemployed by place of residence. Estimates are available for New York State, labor market regions, metropolitan areas, counties and municipalities with population of at least 25,000.

Unemployment Rates By County,
New York State,
February 2024

Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release. State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Advantage of Regression Model Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities). Benchmarking of Estimates Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.” Changes in Methodology Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates. In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others. Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem. Jobs Data Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, samples establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available. The New York State Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CLINIC FOR EXPECTING AND PARENTING FAMILIES

 

Part of Mayor Adams’ “Women Forward NYC” Plan, City Commits $8 Million to Open Clinic

 

Located at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in South Bronx — Borough With Highest Overdose Death Rate — Clinic Will Advance Goals to Address Black Maternal Mortality, Opioid Epidemic

 

Expected to Open in 2026, Clinic Will Serve Nearly Over 200 Families Annually

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals today announced plans to open an $8 million health and substance use disorder clinic for pregnant and postpartum women and their families. The clinic will offer pregnant and parenting individuals living with substance use disorder — a dependence on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs — a safe and supportive place to access prenatal and postnatal care, addiction medicine, and behavioral health care. As the city aims to reduce Black maternal mortality by 10 percent and reduce opioid deaths by 25 percent by 2030, this clinic will support healthy birth outcomes, reduce the likelihood and impact of postpartum relapse, and address the needs of older children living in these families. Funded with an investment through “Women Forward NYC: An Action Plan for Gender Equity” — the Adams administration’s $43 million plan with the ambitious goal of making New York City the most woman-forward city in the country — the clinic will build on the city’s cross-sector work to improve the health and well-being of all women.  

 

The 6,500 square foot space, expected to open in 2026, will serve approximately 200 families per year and will be located at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx — the borough with the highest rate of opioid overdose death in New York City. In addition to substance use support, patients will also be able to access connections to community-based organizations for other critical services supporting recovery, such as housing, food, and employment. Care teams will be comprised of medical and behavioral health providers, including social workers, community health workers, and certified peer counselors with lived experience of substance use disorder.

 

"This is a critical moment for women's health in New York City and across the country," said Mayor Adams. "Addiction and substance use disorder doesn't discriminate, and overdoses are a leading cause of deaths in pregnant and postpartum women in New York City, affecting not only the new parent, but also their family and loved ones. Our administration has taken action to boost birth equity and support new families — expanding the doula program citywide, signing a package of bills to strengthen maternal health, and setting the ambitious goal of reducing Black maternal mortality by 10 percent by 2030 — and today’s announcement of the Family Substance Use Disorder clinic coming to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln is a continuation of that critical work. Our children are our most precious resource and by investing in them and their families from the start, we'll build a safer and healthier city for generations to come."

 

“Today’s $8 million investment, part of ‘Women Forward NYC,’ shows concrete steps the administration is taking to build lasting structures to support families before and after welcoming a child,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “We also know that the opioid crisis has touched so many families, and this new clinic will be a place for support, connection, and assistance as practitioners walk with new and expecting parents on their journey to better health. Finally, this new clinic is part of a broader strategy to reduce Black maternal mortality by 10 percent by 2030 and to reduce opioid overdose deaths by 25 percent by 2030. Thank you to the specialized teams doing this work to help us tackle these issues that affect so many families in the Bronx and beyond.”

 

“Substance use disorder is not only detrimental to the user, but also impacts the pregnancy and family — nuclear as well as extended,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Machelle Allen, MD. “Pregnancy is a time when motivation for behavior change is high. It is our aim to leverage this personal motivation, coupled with peer support, professional guidance, and whole family engagement, to achieve a clean and sober intact family unit within which the child and his or her siblings thrive.”

 

“Unfortunately, substance use disorder does not discriminate for pregnancy, and overdoses are a leading cause of deaths in pregnant and postpartum women in New York City,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Women’s Health Service Officer Wendy Wilcox, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG. “There is a critical and harmful intersectionality between maternal health and substance use disorder, which may lead to disastrous consequences for both pregnant and postpartum people and their children. For this reason, I am thrilled NYC Health + Hospitals is launching a holistic program to treat pregnant and postpartum people who have substance use disorder with their families. This is a crucial step to lower maternal mortality and morbidity and save lives!”

 

“Supporting our pregnant and postpartum women through this clinic fills a crucial gap in our system,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Deputy Chief Medical Officer and System Chief of Behavioral Health Omar Fattal, MD, MPH. “We hope this new clinic will be a beacon for pregnant women and new mothers to ensure support is available across the spectrum of medical, behavioral health, and social services. We are excited to develop new ways to address the great need for specialized substance use services in the Bronx.”

 

“An integrated service setting like this changes the treatment landscape for families challenged by addiction,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Director of Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Growth and Strategy Jennifer Havens, MD. “Bringing the whole family into comprehensive non-judgmental care holds the most promise for parents’ and children’s well-being.”

 

“With overdose a leading cause of Black maternal deaths, and the tragic ripple effects, stigma-free access to substance use disorder and mental health treatment for expecting families is a must," said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. "We celebrate the opening of NYC Health + Hospital’s first family substance use disorder clinic and hope it will lead to healthier, stronger families and communities.”

 

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest provider of behavioral health care in New York City. The system provides almost 60 percent of behavioral health services citywide, serving over 75,000 patients annually across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care. It offers a spectrum of services that treat substance use disorders, including several outpatient substance use clinics, four opioid treatment programs, buprenorphine treatment in person or via a telehealth visit through Virtual ExpressCare, and treatment for withdrawal from alcohol and opioid use at five of its substance use clinics on a walk-in basis. 

 

NYC Health + Hospitals’ wide range of obstetric and gynecologic services includes primary care, family planning, abortion care, prenatal through delivery care, midwifery and referrals for doula services, postpartum care, breastfeeding and lactation services, breast exams, nutrition, behavioral health referrals, preventive care, and vaccinations. Nearly 16,000 children are born at NYC Health + Hospitals each year. Gynecology services include menopause and fibroid treatments, as well as specialty practices for gynecologic cancers, pelvic pain, and endometriosis. Patients wishing to make an appointment can call 844-NYC-4NYC.

 

In January 2024, following his State of the City address, Mayor Adams announced “Women Forward NYC.” Supported through city dollars, private and public partnerships, academic institutions, and federal grant funding, the action plan addresses gender disparities by connecting women to professional development and higher-paying jobs; dismantling barriers to sexual, reproductive, and chronic health care; reducing gender-based violence against women; and providing holistic housing services, including for formerly incarcerated women and domestic and gender-based violence survivors.

 

GrowNYC Education - Special Edition: Annual Plant Sale and Seed Giveaway!

GrowNYC Education

Every year since 1986, GrowNYC holds our Annual Spring Plant Sale in order to provide community groups with perennial and annual flowering plants, herbs, and vegetables from Greenmarket farmers at wholesale prices. Plants are for neighborhood open space projects only (e.g. community gardens, schools, block associations, churches, etc.) and may be sold to raise other funds. Our 2024 Plant Sale will have 2 pickup locations:

Domino Park (parking lot)

26 North 1st Street

Brooklyn, NY 11249 - GPS coordinates to site

Thursday May 2nd - 12pm to 4pm

Friday May 3rd - 12pm to 4pm

Saturday May 4th - 12pm to 4pm

GrowNYC’s New York State Regional Food Hub

298 Halleck Street, (corner of Halleck St and Viele Ave)

Bronx, NY 10474 - GPS coordinates to site

Friday May 10th - 12pm to 4pm

Saturday May 11th - 12pm to 4pm

Order Deadline is Friday, April 5th.

School Gardens Seed Giveaway

Last chance for our seed giveaway! We can distribute seeds to DOE K-12 public schools in NYC! We have a wide selection of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to choose from. Each school can get 15 packets of seeds.

• To be eligible, you must be a DOE K-12 public or charter school in NYC, and you must have an up-to-date school registration with GrowNYC.

• Email schoolgardens@grownyc.org for help with registration.

• The deadline to submit this form is March 30th, 2024.