Governor Hochul Celebrates Opening of Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center’s New $3.3 Million Facility on Long Island

 

State Funds Enhance Child Care Services, Afterschool Programs, Workforce Training, and Comprehensive Family Support Systems

Complements Governor’s Commitment to Expanding Affordable Child Care Options for New York Families

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center’s new $3.3 million facility in the Town of Southampton, Long Island. Situated on six acres donated to create BHCCRC in the early 1950s, the state-of-the-art, 7,828-square-foot building marks a significant milestone in expanding vital services and serving lower-income working families living on Long Island’s East End. With a focus on affordable child care, enriching summer programs, and diverse recreational activities, BHCCRC empowers families and children while fostering social development.

"This new facility will help expand access to the high-quality child care options and educational programs families in East End and across Long Island deserve," Governor Hochul said. "By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, we are investing in working parents and giving them the support they need to remain in the workforce while providing their kids with academic enrichment and care.”

The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center (BHCCRC), a historically Black, community-based institution, has been a beacon of support for marginalized East End children and working families for generations. BHCCRC offers flexible scheduling options, workforce training, enriching after-school programs, summer and teen programs, college prep classes, and a food pantry. Featuring multiple classrooms, a computer lab, tutoring spaces, offices, additional bathrooms, community space, and a kitchen, the new Center will promote an inclusive and nurturing environment for learning, growth, and social development. With an increased capacity, BHCCRC will be able to serve more children and families, strengthening the East End community by providing essential education, enrichment, child care, and support to those who need it the most.

As a cornerstone of the East End community, BHCCRC promotes the well-being and sustainable growth of the region. Empire State Development is supporting the new Center with a $300,000 grant, recommended by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, reflecting New York State's commitment to promoting social equity and expanding economic opportunities for underserved communities across the State.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "A thriving economy is tied to a workforce equipped with accessible child care options. The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center's new facility will bolster support for families and their children, contributing to a stronger local economy while supporting the vibrancy of the East End community.”

The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center stands as a vital foundation of support for families and children residing in the East End of Long Island. New York State's support for organizations like Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center is crucial in fostering equity and prosperity across the State. By investing in early childhood education and afterschool programs, workforce participation, and comprehensive family support, New York is laying the foundation to uplift lower-income working families, promote social mobility, and foster stronger, more cohesive communities.

The completion of Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center also underscores Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to providing quality child care options for New York families. As part of the FY 2024 Budget, the Governor secured a four-year, $7 billion investment in child care that included $500 million to bolster New York’s child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant program and $4.8 million for a new Employer-Sponsored Child Care Pilot Program where participating employers, the state and employees will split the cost of child care. The FY 2024 Budget also included $1 million to create a statewide business navigator program in each of the 10 Regional Economic Development Council regions to help interested businesses identify options to support employees’ child care needs. The funding will also be used to develop a statewide employer child care guidebook. The Governor’s investment also included $179 million in tax relief for families with children under the age of four through an expansion of the Empire State Tax Credit.

BronxNet attends the Blue Beetle Movie screening!

 

Blue Beetle Movie Screening Blue Beetle's Director Ángel Manuel Soto chats with Leaders of the Future from Niño de la Caridad Zahorys Gonzalez and Luis Soto at New York's movie screening. Ángel talks about his inspiration and dedication to make Blue Beetle an amazing movie. Watch exclusive behind the scenes moments from the film as well as insights shared by the Director. Blue Beetle movie is now playing in a theatre near you!

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Bronx Updates | OPEN Host Daren Jaime shares our borough's latest news, including the restoration of Kingsbridge Armory, and a Back to School Giveaway.

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NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz: NYC Budget Forum NYC Councilman Eric Dinowitz discussed education, housing, mental health, and literacy funding with residents at a budget forum last Thursday at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center.

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Unveiling BronxNet's 30th Anniversary Logo Join us as we unveil BronxNet's 30th Anniversary Logo, a symbol of three decades of fostering connections, amplifying voices, and transforming lives in the Bronx and beyond.

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FIC Back to School Festival 2023 "This exciting event is designed to kickstart the new school year with a bang! Bring your children along to enjoy a variety of engaging activities, including a backpack and school supplies giveaway, the opportunity to obtain IDs for children, face painting, free food options, and an array of captivating activities for all ages."

Join the Festival

Dialogo Abierto: Boricua College Sur de El Bronx

Edición especial de “Diálogo Abierto” visitando el recinto universitario de Boricua College en el Sur de El Bronx.   Entrevistas con Teofilo A. Santiago, director de admisiones del campus; Hector Feliciano, director de programa College Prep - que prepara a las personas para ir a la universidad; y Cody Souffrant, director de HEOP, otro programa de acceso para quienes quieran mejorar e ir a la universidad.

Mira Aquí

September Education Courses

Get a headstart on your Fall courses and sign up with BronxNet today!

Coming in September, we are presenting two courses to help sharpen your skills and expand your creative ideas! 

Instructor Alba Enid Rivas provides all the elements of producing and directing your own short films from establishing a story to shooting the first scene in her Direct and Produce Animation course. Instructor Ramon Torres Santa will help guide you through how to better streamline and execute your ideas in the media and entertainment industry.  

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Kingsbridge Armory Press Conference

NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, NYC Mayor Adams and other elected officials gathered at the Kingsbridge Armory to unveil their plans to transform the Armory into an economic engine for local Bronx jobs.

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Avalon Harrison Affordable Housing Development Completes Construction In Harrison, New York

 

Elected officials and developers celebrated the completion of Avalon Harrison, a mixed-use affordable housing complex in Harrison, New York. Located adjacent to the Harrison Metro-North train station in Westchester County, the project was led by AvalonBay Communities, which worked closely with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and local officials at every phase of the project.

“The success of the economy of a county like Westchester depends on providing housing to attract people, and it has to be housing that people can afford,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “We are focused on solving this for these businesses, for these communities, because if you don’t keep growing, you stagnate and you decline. We will not let that happen here in the great State of New York.”

The first phase of the project opened in August 2021 and included the construction of a commuter parking garage. Now complete, the entire complex includes 143 affordable apartments spread across three buildings, around 5,000 square feet of amenity spaces, roughly 27,000 square feet of retail space, and 758 parking spaces that are segmented for retail, commuter, and residential use. Residents will have access to 187 dedicated parking spaces.

The development also created two public plazas that feed into the Metro-North station.

“My administration is continuing to do everything in our power to build new housing in every corner of this state,” said Governor Hochul. “With more than 140 units of affordable housing, the Avalon Harrison project does not only fit seamlessly into the community, it promises to make Harrison more dynamic and walkable and serve as a model for transit-oriented development everywhere.”

Daytime view of Avalon Harrison, now complete

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON, CONGRESSMAN TORRES, & BRONX ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LAUNCH $10MM FUND FOR SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

 

New York Empowerment Zone Corporation Loan Program Enables Small businesses to Get Up to $350,000 in loans through Community Advantage Loan Fund: https://www.bicofny.org/loans

The New York Empowerment Zone Corporation has approved a $10,000,000 loan program for Bronx businesses that will be administered by the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BxEDC) in partnership with The Business Initiative Corporation of New York (BICNY).

The new funding will provide working capital for small and medium sized businesses looking to scale up their operations. The loans will range from $5,000 to $350,000 and can be used to cover things like payroll, inventory purchases, or new equipment. The focus is on providing loans to businesses located in the South Bronx and particularly the Empowerment Zone district, including the neighborhoods of Hunts Point, Port Morris, and the Yankee Stadium area. The loans will be provided through the SBA Community Advantage Loan Fund.

“This announcement on the Bronx EDC (BxEDC) receiving $10 million in Empowerment Zone funding is a huge win for the Bronx and fulfills one of our key promises from our State of the Borough Address to support and uplift our small business community,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “This Empowerment Zone funding, which has been unused for decades since the Bill Clinton administration, will give the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BxEDC) in partnership with The Business Initiative Corporation of New York (BICNY), the ability to lend to small businesses that are in need of working capital. Not only will this program work to sustain our businesses but it also has the potential of creating local good-paying jobs to help fuel and boost our economy. I want to thank the Bronx Economic Development Team, The Business Initiative Corporation of New York, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron, Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, Speaker Carl Hastie, Mayor Eric Adams, and every organization that played a vital role in making this initiative a reality. We are grateful for their commitment to supporting the economic growth and longevity of our Bronx business community.”

“Small businesses are the heart of our neighborhoods and the backbone of our economy, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for residents,” said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15). “The $10 million New York Empowerment Zone loan program will help local small business owners and entrepreneurs access capital to grow and thrive, strengthen their inventory, and expand their footprint to support economic development in communities that need it the most. I encourage all small business owners to apply to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity that will benefit our entire borough, where we are open for business!”

“The Bronx business community has shown remarkable resilience since the pandemic and is a hotbed for entrepreneurial activity and small business growth,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “This new $10 million fund will help inject much-needed capital into the business ecosystem to help small business owners and local entrepreneurs scale up and thrive in the Bronx.”

According to recent data from the Center for an Urban Future, the number of new business applications increased by 30 percent from 2019 to 2021, with the fastest rate of growth occurring in the Bronx, which saw a 66 percent increase. But the Bronx has long lagged in loan programs for small businesses. For example, only two percent of SBS COVID relief dollars were distributed to Bronx businesses.

“Our goal at BxEDC is to promote economic development in the Bronx. That means helping small businesses get capital, it means helping to promote mom and pop shops that are looking to thrive, and helping entrepreneurs,” said BxEDC President Rob Walsh. “Now that our new loan fund has been approved the real work begins. We will move forward in getting capital access to small businesses looking to take their organization to the next level. With its long and rich history, BxEDC has the relationships to deploy our new fund. I have already begun hearing from dedicated business owners and entrepreneurs who, with access to our new loan, are looking to create jobs and expand here in the Bronx.”

“Supporting small businesses is at the core of economic development, and assisting entrepreneurs, especially those in underserved communities with guaranteed loan options, gives them the boost they need to succeed,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. As Chair of the New York Empowerment Zone Corporation, I am pleased to support the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and this vital program for South Bronx residents.”

The loan program will be primarily for communities within the Empowerment Zone or considered Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI). Startups can also apply. The maturity of the loan is 10 years with competitive flexible interest rates that can range from 2.5%-6%.

“This new program will build off BICNY’s highly successful track record as an SBA lender. I have seen the power that SBA programs in transforming businesses and creating opportunity here in the borough,” said BICNY President Rafael Roger. “That is why I am excited and proud to announce BICNY’s new Community Advantage Loan Fund will provide provide smaller balance loans to businesses in need of working capital.”

ACS EMPLOYEE AT HORIZON JUVENILE CENTER INDICTED FOR STEALING $6,600 IN PAY FOR HOURS HE DIDN’T WORK

 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber today announced that an Administration for Children’s Services employee at Horizon Juvenile Center has been indicted on Grand Larceny charges for stealing $6,600 by lying about his work hours.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly lied in his timesheets and was paid for nine full shifts and numerous other hours that he did not work, totaling $6,600. City employees are entrusted with serving the public honestly. The defendant allegedly did the opposite and has now been indicted for his fraudulent actions.” 

 DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “This ACS community coordinator, as charged, falsely overstated his hours worked at the Horizon Juvenile Center, where his job was to deliver commissary items to the residents and track behavioral issues. By claiming to work when he wasn’t, including for nine full shifts and even overtime, he not only failed to meet his responsibilities to Horizon residents, he stole funds from the City, according to the Indictment. I thank ACS for referring this case to DOI and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its commitment to protecting City funds from this kind of corruption and fraud.”

 District Attorney Clark said Michael Derico, 44, of the Bronx was indicted on third-degree Grand Larceny, fourth-degree Grand Larceny, nine counts of first-degree Falsifying Business Records, and nine counts of first-degree Offering a False Instrument for Filing before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Hornstein. The defendant is due back in court on September 7, 2023.

 According to the investigation, between December 2020 and March 2021, the defendant, an ACS Community Coordinator, either allegedly failed to appear at the facility, arrived at the facility later than his time sheet indicated, or departed earlier than his time sheet showed. Derico allegedly falsified his timesheets to make it appear as if he was at work for not only his scheduled time but also for overtime hours. The defendant was paid approximately $6,600 from New York City for nine shifts and numerous other hours he did not work.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked DOI Deputy Inspector General Harlyn Griffenberg for assistance in the investigation, under the supervision of Senior Inspector General Laura Millendorf, Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives Christopher Ryan and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Lab Owner Sentenced for $463M Genetic Testing Scheme

 

A Georgia man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting over $463 million in genetic and other laboratory tests that patients did not need, and that were procured through the payment of kickbacks and bribes.

According to court documents, Minal Patel, 44, of Atlanta, owned LabSolutions LLC (LabSolutions), a lab enrolled with Medicare that performed sophisticated genetic tests. Patel conspired with patient brokers, telemedicine companies, and call centers to target Medicare beneficiaries with telemarketing calls falsely stating that Medicare covered expensive cancer genetic tests. After the Medicare beneficiaries agreed to take a test, Patel paid kickbacks and bribes to patient brokers to obtain signed doctors’ orders authorizing the tests from telemedicine companies. To conceal the kickbacks and bribes, Patel required patient brokers to sign sham contracts that falsely stated that the brokers were performing legitimate advertising services for LabSolutions, when, as Patel well knew, the brokers were deceptively marketing to Medicare beneficiaries and paying kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies for genetic testing prescriptions.

“In one of the largest genetic testing fraud cases ever tried to verdict, this sentence makes clear that the Department will seek justice for those who put profits above patient care, including owners and executives,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The sentence also demonstrates the Criminal Division’s ongoing commitment to fighting telemedicine and genetic testing fraud that exploits patients and drains health care benefit programs.”

Patel knew the telemedicine doctors robo-signed prescriptions for expensive genetic testing even though they were not treating the beneficiaries, often did not even speak with them, and made no evaluation of medical necessity. From July 2016 through August 2019, LabSolutions submitted more than $463 million in claims to Medicare, including for thousands of medically unnecessary genetic tests, of which Medicare paid over $187 million. In that timeframe, Patel personally received over $21 million from Medicare in connection with the fraud.

“Deception, kickbacks, and bribes have no place in the provision of legitimate genetic testing and telemedicine services to patients who need them,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office. “Patel bilked hundreds of millions of dollars from Medicare through a complex testing fraud scheme. He is now paying the price for this crime. The FBI commends the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) for their close partnership and diligence working this joint investigation. Our message to those who commit Medicare fraud and steal from U.S. taxpayers is clear: you will be caught and you will be held accountable.”

“This outcome sends a strong message that HHS-OIG will not tolerate those who exploit Medicare patients and who pay kickbacks to providers to prescribe medically unnecessary genetic tests, all for illegitimate financial gain,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Julie Rivera of the HHS-OIG. “Our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the Medicare program remains unwavering.”

The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Jamie de Boer, Emily Gurskis, Reginald Cuyler Jr., Katherine Rookard, and Patrick Queenan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon for the Southern District of Florida is handling asset forfeiture proceedings. An asset forfeiture hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25.

The case was brought as part of Operation Double Helix, a federal law enforcement action led by the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, focused on fraudulent genetic cancer testing that has resulted in charges against dozens of defendants associated with telemedicine companies and cancer genetic testing laboratories for their alleged participation in one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever charged. 

PAC Fundraiser And PAC Treasurer Charged With Multi-Year Schemes To Defraud Donors

 

Richard Zeitlin Allegedly Used His Multimillion-Dollar Telemarketing Call Center Business to Defraud Donors Through False and Misleading Fundraising Calls That Represented Political Action Committees as Charities — And Instructed Employees to Destroy Records to Cover Up His Crimes

Robert Piaro, Treasurer of Four Political Action Committees, Allegedly Defrauded Donors by Falsely Representing How Their Donations Would Be Spent

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that RICHARD ZEITLIN and ROBERT PIARO were arrested and charged in connection with their schemes to defraud donors while soliciting money for certain political action committees (“PACs”).  ZEITLIN was additionally charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice.  ZEITLIN was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is expected to be presented in federal court in Nevada this afternoon.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.  PIARO was arrested in Fredonia, Wisconsin, and is expected to be presented in federal court in Wisconsin this afternoon.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Richard Zeitlin and Robert Piaro lied to donors who thought they were giving to groups that were helping veterans, aiding law enforcement officers, and fighting breast cancer.  Instead, Zeitlin and Piaro allegedly exploited these important causes and the good intentions of everyday citizens to steal millions of dollars in small donations.  Today’s arrests demonstrate this Office’s commitment to ensuring that those who exploit charitable causes and political action committees for their own personal gain will be held responsible for their crimes.”   

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Zeitlin and Piaro are alleged to have made calculated decisions to purposely defraud donors to political action committees with misrepresentations and lies over an extended number of years.  Deliberately deceiving those who make such contributions creates unwitting victims out of those interested in voicing an opinion.  If you are a victim of Piaro or Zeitlin, please contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.  The FBI is committed to ensuring anyone who callously perpetrates fraud on the American public using political action committees are held accountable in the criminal justice system.”

According to the allegations in the Indictments against RICHARD ZEITLIN and ROBERT PIARO unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

PACs are entities registered with the Federal Election Commission that may be tax-exempt and collect money to advocate on behalf of or against certain causes and political candidates.  By contrast, charities, unlike PACs, typically provide direct services to communities or causes. 

From at least in or about 2017 up to and including in or about 2020, ZEITLIN used his telemarketing call center business and various associated entities to defraud numerous donors by providing misleading and false information about how the donors’ money would be spent and the nature of the organizations to which they were giving.  Specifically, ZEITLIN directed his employees to alter the call scripts used when calling potential donors on behalf of certain PACs in order to mislead potential donors into believing that they would be giving to a direct-services organization (i.e., a charity), rather than to a political advocacy organization (i.e., a PAC).  Among other things, when one PAC treasurer confronted ZEITLIN with complaints from donors that solicitation calls falsely represented a PAC as a charity, ZEITLIN falsely denied that the calls were being made, acknowledged that such calls would be inappropriate, and refused to give the treasurer any call recordings that would have revealed his fraud.  ZEITLIN directed that these lies, misleading statements, and misrepresentations be made so that donors would be more likely to give money, thereby increasing the funds raised and profits for his businesses – which typically received approximately 90% of the funds donated.  In or about May 2022, after learning that ZEITLIN and his businesses were under federal investigation, ZEITLIN directed his employees to delete electronic messages relating to his businesses. 

From at least in or about 2017 up to and including at least in or about December 2022, PIARO was the owner and treasurer of four PACs: Americans for the Cure of Breast Cancer, the Association for Emergency Responders & Firefighters, the US Veterans Assistance Foundation, and Standing By Veterans (the “PIARO PACs”).  PIARO raised over $28 million from hundreds of thousands of donors nationwide through false statements and misrepresentations about how contributions to the PIARO PACs would be spent.  For example, at PIARO’s direction, the PIARO PACs misrepresented to donors that donations would be used to advance specific legislation, educate lawmakers, and conduct and fund research, when PIARO did not and did not intend to follow through on those representations. 

If you believe you are a victim of fraud perpetrated by RICHARD ZEITLIN and/or ROBERT PIARO, please contact USANYS.PACFraud@usdoj.gov or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. 

ZEITLIN, 53, of Las Vegas, Nevada, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing, which each carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of obstruction of justice, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

PIARO, 73, of Fredonia, Wisconsin, is charged with one count of wire fraud in connection with telemarketing and one count of mail fraud in connection with telemarketing, which each carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. 

If you believe you are a victim of fraud perpetrated by ZEITLIN, please find more information here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/united-states-v-richard-zeitlin. 

If you believe you are a victim of fraud perpetrated by PIARO, please find more information here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/united-states-v-robert-piaro.

The charges contained in the Indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictments and the description of the Indictments set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Hochul Highlights Nearly $14 Million Available to Advance Innovation in Clean Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Projects

 

Round One Makes Up to $8 Million Available to Address Challenges of Decarbonizing Industrial Process Heat and Advancing Clean Hydrogen Production and Renewable Energy Integration

Supports Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Goals to Reduce Emissions 85 Percent by 2050 and 100 Percent Zero-Emission Electricity by 2040

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a nearly $14 million initiative to advance clean hydrogen research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects. The first round of funding makes up to $8 million available for projects that address the challenges of decarbonizing industrial process heat and advancing clean hydrogen production and renewable energy integration. Today's announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals to reduce emissions 85 percent by 2050 and transition to 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040.

“New York State is leading the nation in advancing clean hydrogen technologies and we are committed to staying ahead of the curve in this new industry,” Governor Hochul said. “Through our support for emerging innovation in the hydrogen field, we are solidifying our leadership position in developing this alternative fuel to help reduce emissions, create the jobs of the future in our state, and secure a healthy and sustainable New York for generations to come.”

Through the first round, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is seeking applicants comprised of single entities or teams to compete for funding under two technical challenge areas including hydrogen applications to decarbonize industrial process heat and clean hydrogen production and integration with renewable energy. Proposals will be accepted in the following categories:

Category A: Feasibility and Research Studies - Conduct preliminary research into the concepts underlying new products, systems, strategies, or services as a first stage of development that are necessary to ultimate product development and commercialization.

Category B: Product Development – Advance efforts that are crucial to the development of a marketable technology product, system, strategy, or service and any testing or validation of an innovation that is not already commercially available and may lead to the commercialization of products manufactured in New York State.

Category C: Pilot and Demonstration Projects - Demonstrate and test innovative technologies, systems, strategies, or services that require testing to reach commercialization or are already commercially available but have not yet gained industry acceptance or significant deployment in New York State.

Category D: Federal Cost Share Projects – Provide New York-based companies funding to achieve Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), DOE, US National Laboratory, or other federal funding award cost-sharing requirements, and increase the likelihood of successful company development and technology commercialization. Projects must still support the challenge areas for each round.

Applications for Round One will be accepted through 3:00 p.m. on October 23, 2023. For additional information and associated documents, visit NYSERDA’s website here.

Round Two, anticipated to open later this year with up to $5.8 million available, will build on Round One with three new technical challenge areas to include mitigation of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from hydrogen combustion, hydrogen storage technologies and hydrogen-based generation systems for microgrids and grid support services.

NYSERDA President and CEO and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Doreen M. Harris said, “New York is fostering a clean-hydrogen ecosystem that supports our emissions reduction goals while advancing the technology needed to scale this growing and impactful resource. Each project awarded will become a part of the State’s holistic plan to support the exploration of hydrogen as a resource while advancing the development of a connected network of projects across the state – from production and manufacturing to end use –that will increase job opportunities, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help us better integrate renewables onto the grid.”

This new funding will operate in tandem with New York State’s overall advancement of a clean hydrogen ecosystem which includes a May funding announcement focused on providing cost share for projects applying for federal clean hydrogen funding opportunities and the Northeast Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (NE Hub) initiative. While the NE Hub proposal submitted focuses on clean hydrogen deployment across the broader Northeast region, the initiative announced today will fund RD&D efforts that are most relevant and critical to advance a clean hydrogen economy in New York and support the achievement of the Climate Act goals. Awarded projects will pave the way for future hydrogen hub project deployment and strengthen the regional hydrogen strategy put forth by the NE Hub states including New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont, and over 100 hydrogen ecosystem partners. The group’s collaborative proposal was submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy in early April for hydrogen hub funding and designation as a regional hub under the federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act. DOE’s decision is expected in the fall of 2023.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Climate Action Council Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, “The significant investment announced today to support hydrogen research and innovation is advancing New York’s efforts to reduce fossil fuel use as part of our ambitious climate agenda. The clean hydrogen projects supported by this funding will aid New York’s transition to a clean energy economy tomorrow and help meet the State’s aggressive climate targets to ensure a cleaner, greener environment for future generations."

The initiative announced today was developed in alignment with the Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan approved in December 2022, which identified strategic use of low-carbon fuels such as clean hydrogen as an important means of decarbonizing sectors that are challenging to electrify. In addition, environmental justice and disadvantaged community stakeholder perspectives have been instrumental in shaping the challenges and areas of focus for solicitations.

This announcement builds on New York State's investments in research, development, and commercialization to support innovators that are accelerating the low emissions and carbon sequestering technologies needed to meet the state's goal for economy-wide carbon neutrality. NYSERDA's Innovation program is deploying $800 million over 10 years as direct investments via grants and wrap-around commercialization support. More than $680 million in private investments and $200 million in project finance capital have been enabled, and more than 450 innovative clean energy products have been commercialized as a result of NYSERDA's technology and business development investments, including LED lighting systems, home appliances, longer-lasting batteries, and more efficient heating-and-cooling systems.

Funding for this initiative is through the State’s 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund. More information about this funding is available on NYSERDA’s website here.

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 $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 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 nearly 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.