MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEXT STEP OF AMBITIOUS UNIVERSAL AFTER-SCHOOL WITH 10,000 ADDITIONAL SEATS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

 

75 New Schools and 11 Community Centers Will Host New After-School Programs as Part of 20,000 Total New Seats by Fall 2028

 

5,000 More Seats to Come by Fall 2027

 

5,000 New Seats Across 40 Schools Already Added This School Year Support Adams Administration’s Commitment to Making New York City Best Place to Raise a Family

 

Unprecedented $331 Million New Investment Will Bring “After-School for All”

Total Funding Up to $755 Million, 184,000 Total Seats by Fall 2027

 

Universal After-School First Announced as Part of Mayor Adams’ “Best Budget Ever”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard today announced the next step in delivering Mayor Adams’ vision of “After-School for All,” with 10,000 additional seats to be added by the fall of 2026.  The 75 New York City Public Schools locations and 11 community centers selected to fill these 10,000 seats in high-need areas have been selected based on economic need and service gaps in those communities. In September, the city took a significant step toward universal after-school programming by launching the first 40 new after-school sites ― the largest expansion of city-funded after-school in more than a decade. The initial $21-million investment for 5,000 K-5 seats in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Adopted Budget, which builds on Mayor Adams’ FY 2026 Executive Budget — often called the “Best Budget Ever” — marked the first step for After-School for All. In the 2027-2028 school year, another 5,000 seats will be added, bringing after-school programming to a total of 184,000 students. The ambitious $331-million After-School for All commitment made by the Adams administration will bring the total investment for after-school programming to $755 million annually by the fall of 2027; that funding will be baselined starting in FY 2028.

“Today, we’re delivering on our promise to make New York City the best place to raise a family by starting with our children,” said Mayor Adams. “By opening 40 new after-school sites and adding 5,000 seats this school year — the largest expansion in over a decade — we’re giving young people the opportunities they deserve and telling hard-working parents: we see you and we’re investing in your future. But we aren’t resting on our laurels. We’re also giving providers their first pay raise in 10 years, creating 10,000 more seats for 2026, and strengthening programs at 75 additional schools. This is the first big step toward our vision of ‘After-School for All’ that will help us create a city where every child has a safe, enriching place to grow beyond the classroom.”

“Expanding after-school programming has been a top priority since the moment I stepped into my role as deputy mayor, and I'm incredibly proud of the work we have done to make this vision a reality,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Building better after-school access means creating more seats and opening more opportunities. I am confident that every after-school program represents a child who is learning, thriving, and building confidence — and a parent who can work knowing their child is safe and supported. This next phase of ‘After-School for All’ brings us closer to a city where every family has what they need to succeed.”

“At more than 30 community town halls, New Yorkers sent us a message loud and clear: we need more after-school programming. With the most significant expansion of COMPASS after-school in more than a decade, this is a ‘promises made, promises kept’ moment. The first 5,000 of 20,000 new seats are already benefiting young people this school year, and DYCD has released two requests for proposals to enhance programs, increase provider rates, and bring on new providers to oversee this exciting growth,” said DYCD Commissioner Howard. “Mayor Adams has entrusted DYCD and our community partners to carry out a lasting legacy that will benefit young people and families from this day forward.”

Families can find the new 75 selected locations being announced today — as well as the original 40 sites from the current school year —on DYCD’s after-school sign up webpage. Families can locate their nearest after-school program through discoverDYCD, or reach out directly to providers for information on availability and how to apply.

Two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) released in October were the first in a decade to enhance and improve programs for New York City youth, as well as raise provider rates to stabilize the non-profit organizations leading these programs and better support the workforce that serves the city’s youth. Nonprofit providers interested in applying for the RFPs can visit DYCD’s Contracting Opportunities website for instructions and deadlines.

Recently, the Adams administration formed a commission for universal after-school by engaging providers and community stakeholders to develop a sustainable, long-term system that ensures non-profit organizations are able to continue to hire and train staff and deliver quality programming.

This investment adds to the Adams administration’s historic investments in young people, and supports both the Summer Youth Employment and Summer Rising programs to serve record numbers of youth, and increases spending on young adult career success programming by 25 percent, as announced in “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success,” a forward-thinking roadmap to build inclusive pathways for the city's young people to discover their passion, receive hands-on career experience, and, ultimately, enter the workforce.

Over the last three years, the Adams administration has been focused on making New York City more affordable for families through popular and essential programs like early childhood education. Recently, Mayor Adams announced a child care pilot for 0 to 2 year olds that puts New York City on the path to universal child care for low-income families, if the pilot is successful, and a $167-million long-term investment and commitment to funding 3-K and special education pre-K programs annually. Under the Adams administration, a record 150,000 children are enrolled across the early childhood education system today, the out-of-pocket costs of child care subsidies have been reduced from $55 per week in 2022 to $5 per week today, and the administration met its commitment to offer a seat to every child who applied for 3-K on time — the first time this has ever been done in the city’s history.

Over the FY 2025 budget cycle, Mayor Adams protected more than $600 million in key, long-term education programs that had been previously funded with expiring stimulus dollars by making investments in Summer Rising, a citywide 3-K expansion, special education pre-K, community schools, social workers, and arts education. Additionally, the Adams administration invested $20 million to ensure that every student on a 3-K waitlist was offered a seat, and $55 million to provide more than 700 new seats for three- and four-year-olds with special needs.

Today’s announcement also builds off two years of core educational accomplishments under the Adams administration, including instituting nation-leading dyslexia screening for all students, adding 57 Gifted and Talented programs, helping 13,658 students complete work-based learning experiences for the 2024-2025 school year through FutureReadyNYC, cementing new labor contracts for teachers and other education officials, investing $167 million in new funding to secure critical early childhood education programs, and securing mayoral accountability twice in three years while investing $180 million to implement a comprehensive class size reduction plan.

Additionally, 186 schools across 14 districts implemented Mayor Adams' signature curricula, NYC Reads and NYC Solves, for the first time this year, bringing high-quality, evidence-based foundational reading and math curricula to middle school students across the five boroughs. These comprehensive programs also provide targeted resources, professional development, and curriculum enhancements for educators. As a result, the Adams administration and New York City Public Schools recently celebrated the release of new state test data revealing a substantial increase in reading and math scores for public school children in the city, between grades 3 through 8, in the 2024-2025 school year.

ICE and CBP Officers Face Unprecedented Surge in Vehicle Ramming Attacks

 

Driven by far-left rhetoric against law enforcement vehicle ramming attacks against DHS law enforcement have more than doubled this year

The men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been facing a surge in vehicle attacks, driven by hateful rhetoric from sanctuary politicians, leftist activists, and the mainstream media. There have been nearly 100 vehicular attacks this year, more than double the amount during the same time last year. These attacks not only pose a potentially fatal risk to officers but also endanger the public.  

“We are seeing the results of the Left’s constant demonization of the men and women of law enforcement. Dangerous criminals – whether they be illegal aliens or U.S. citizens – are turning their vehicles into weapons to attack ICE and CBP,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Still, the brave men and women of DHS will not be deterred and will continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Anyone who attacks law enforcement, especially using their vehicles, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Since January 20, there have been 99 vehicle attacks against federal law enforcement, more than doubled compared to the 47 attacks faces during the same period last year. 

• There have been 71 vehicular attacks against CBP since January 20, compared to 45 vehicle assaults during the same period in 2024 – a 58% increase.
• There have been 28 vehicular attacks against ICE since January 20, compared to just 2 such incidents in the same period of 2024 – a 1,300% increase.

Some of the most recent examples of vehicular assaults against law enforcement include: 

• November 13: Ever Gabriel Alvarez-Campos, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador with pending criminal charges for second-degree assault, intentionally rammed his car into an ICE vehicle and fled the scene, endangering officers and members of the Adelphi, Maryland community. Alvarez then hit another vehicle and fled the scene on foot before being apprehended by ICE officers.   

• November 8: While conducting immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, Border Patrol faced four different vehicular ramming attacks in just one day. Four suspects were arrested, while one was thwarted by a Controlled Tire Deflation Device and another remains at large. 

• October 22: On a day in which Border Patrol agents faced numerous attacks throughout Chicago, there were three different vehicular attacks against law enforcement. Several of the arrested suspects had criminal histories, including a Latin Kings gang member with convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, destroying evidence, and DUI.
• October 14: During an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, an illegal alien rammed CBP vehicles with his own and attempted to flee. Border Patrol pursued the suspect and managed to bring him to a stop using an authorized precision immobilization technique maneuver. The driver and his passenger, both illegal aliens from Venezuela, were arrested for assault on a federal agent and accessory to assault, respectively.
• October 2: ICE officers were targets of two different vehicular assaults in Illinois on the same day, with one in Bensenville and the other in Norridge. The suspects in both cases were criminal illegal aliens who were arrested.  

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• September 14: An ICE officer was injured in a vehicular assault in Homestead, Florida. The driver, an illegal alien from Guatemala, reversed his car into the officer during a traffic stop in an attempt to flee, hitting the officer in the leg and nearly crushing him. The suspect rammed into multiple ICE vehicles and then sped away into incoming traffic, colliding with a utility van. The driver and three other illegal aliens were arrested. 

ICE Lodges Arrest Detainer for Criminal Illegal Alien Charged with Molesting Multiple Young Girls at Long Island TJ Maxx

Illegal alien pedophile, previously removed by President Trump in his first term, faces multiple child sex-abuse charges 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer for Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez, a twice deported criminal illegal alien from Honduras and repeat sex offender, convicted of indecent exposure in 2018 and now facing charges of cruelty toward a child and lewd or lascivious acts with a minor.

Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez 

Local investigators caught Velasquez Gomez on a Medford, New York TJ Maxx surveillance camera system, groping multiple young girls between the ages of 7 and 11, and touching his genitals in the store over the course of several months. During the three separate recorded incidents, child victims were allegedly touched and squeezed on their buttocks by the pedophile when they stepped a short way from their parents while in the store.  

• The 7-year-old victim asked permission to look around the toy aisle to which her mother agreed. As she stood in the aisle, Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez walked toward her and allegedly touched and squeezed her buttocks with his hand.  
• The 11-year-old victim was with her parents in the store and walked a short distance away to look for a gift for a friend. She observed a man holding his genitals through his clothes. A short time later, the illegal alien allegedly walked toward her and grabbed her buttocks with his hand as he passed.  
• The 9-year-old victim was shopping with her mother and asked permission to look around the toy aisle while her mother was at the end of that same aisle looking at clothes. Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez allegedly approached the child, pulling up the bottom of her sweatshirt, and squeezing her buttocks.  

“The accounts of these child victims are sickening-- this serial child molester stole the innocence of his child victims and terrorized families,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This is exactly who we mean when we say we’re targeting the WORST OF THE WORST criminal illegal aliens terrorizing our communities. President Trump’s administration removed this pedophile in 2019. Following his illegal reentry into the country and recent arrest for sex crimes against children, ICE lodged an arrest detainer with local authorities to ensure he is never released onto American streets to prey on more innocent children. Secretary Noem will not allow pedophiles to victimize innocent children.”

Velasquez Gomez was initially encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in April of 2005 near Cotulla, Texas, and was removed from the United States on May 12, 2005. He committed a felony by illegally reentering the U.S. and was removed by the Trump administration in 2019. He has since committed another felony by illegally re-entering the U.S. for a third time at an unknown time and location.

DHS law enforcement is committed to protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

Two Men Arrested For Conspiring To Facilitate Narcotics Trafficking Out Of An Inwood Smoke Shop

 

Investigation of Smoke Shop Led Agents to Six Drug Mills and Eight Drug Traffickers Whose Illegal Narcotics Businesses Used Products Obtained From the Smoke Shop

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Frank A. Tarentino, announced today the unsealing of Complaints charging MUJAHED ALI and QUIRINO GARCIA DIAZ with conspiracy to distribute narcotics.  The defendants were arrested yesterday in Manhattan, and GARCIA DIAZ was arrested at their Inwood smoke shop, from which they sold drug traffickers a variety of drug paraphernalia, including cutting agents—i.e., substances added to narcotics to increase their volume (and thus their saleable quantity) and to modify their effects.  The investigation of the smoke shop led agents to multiple large-scale narcotics mills and other drug operations in Manhattan, the Bronx, and New Jersey and the seizures of large volumes of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as multiple firearms.  The defendants will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker. 

“Businesses, small or large, that engage in drug trafficking will be brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “As alleged, this Inwood smoke shop helped traffickers pump lethal narcotics into our city.  New Yorkers want this stopped and we hear them.” 

“Once again, we see the reckless lengths individuals are willing to go as they conspire, distribute, and profit from the sale of fentanyl, a drug that is singlehandedly destroying our communities and devastating families,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino.  “The alleged use of a smoke shop to conceal their narcotics trafficking, which in turn led to the discovery of six drug mills, underscores their willingness to sacrifice the safety of our neighborhoods for personal gain.  Illicit narcotic mills have no place in our communities, and the DEA will continue to do everything we can to eliminate these operations and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”  

According to the allegations contained in the Complaints:

Between in or about August 2024 and in or about October 2025, ALI, GARCIA DIAZ, and others used the Inwood smoke shop to sell cutting agents and drug paraphernalia to drug traffickers, who would then use the smoke shop’s products to increase their quantities of narcotics and package them for sale.  ALI, GARCIA DIAZ, and their co-conspirators sold cutting agents to an undercover officer who explicitly indicated that he was purchasing those substances to mix with narcotics, including cocaine and heroin. ALI and his co-conspirators also gave suggestions on which cutting agents to use with certain types of narcotics. For example, on one occasion, ALI suggested that an undercover officer purchase and use a particular cutting agent, fish scale, to mix with the undercover officer’s cocaine because fish scale would make his drug product “shine the most.”

Over the course of the approximately 14-month period during which ALI, GARCIA DIAZ, and their co-conspirators sold cutting agents and drug paraphernalia from the Inwood smoke shop, law enforcement investigated customers who had appeared to purchase cutting agents and/or drug paraphernalia from the shop and identified at least six narcotics mills as well as other locations where narcotics were being stored.  This led to the arrests of at least eight drug traffickers, including owners and operators of narcotics mills, and the seizure of bulk quantities of narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, in addition to multiple firearms and ammunition that the traffickers possessed in connection with their drug businesses.

Below are photographs of certain of the narcotics mills that ALI, GARCIA DIAZ, and their co-conspirators supplied with cutting agents and/or drug paraphernalia sold out of the Inwood smoke shop:

Fentanyl Seized from a Manhattan Narcotics Mill Searched on August 14, 2024

Fentanyl and Heroin Seized from a Bronx Narcotics Mill on August 27, 2024

Fentanyl Seized from a Bronx Narcotics Mill on September 11, 2024

Cocaine Seized from a Bronx Narcotics Mill on September 16, 2024

Fentanyl Seized from a New Jersey Narcotics Mill on October 16, 2024 

Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Three Loaded Firearms, and Ammunition Seized from a Bronx Narcotics Mill on August 11, 2025

Following the defendants’ arrests, law enforcement searched the Inwood smoke shop and a storage unit next to the shop that was used by the defendants. Inside the storage unit, law enforcement found a room full of narcotics cutting agents and another room full of drug paraphernalia and equipment used to mix, press, and package narcotics, including three kilogram presses used to press narcotics powder into kilogram-sized bricks, numerous sifters, grinders, scales, and hundreds of thousands of glassine envelopes, small vials, and small plastic bags, all commonly used to package narcotics.  Below are photographs of the room containing narcotics cutting agents: 

ALI, 41, a citizen of the United States and Yemen, and GARCIA DIAZ, 35, a citizen of Mexico, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s New York Field Division.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie L. Dang is in charge of the prosecution.

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

Attorney General James Secures Approval of Purdue Bankruptcy Plan

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured the approval of Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy plan after U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane confirmed the plan in a bench ruling. The approval of the plan is a significant step in finalizing the $7.4 billion settlement secured by Attorney General James with Purdue and its owners, the Sackler family, for their leading role in fueling the opioid crisis.

“For decades, the Sacklers ran Purdue with one goal in mind: maximizing profits for their family, no matter the cost,” said Attorney General James. “Purdue was at the very center of the opioid crisis, fueling addictions and overdoses with deceptive marketing and sales tactics. While no amount of money will ever fully reverse the damage they caused, securing this bankruptcy plan brings us one step closer to delivering critical funding to communities impacted by the opioid crisis.”

Under the Sacklers’ leadership, Purdue developed, manufactured, and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades. Its aggressive and misleading marketing tactics fueled waves of addiction and overdoses across the country. While opioid overdose deaths have declined in New York, nine New Yorkers died of a fatal opioid overdose every day in 2024.

As part of the bankruptcy plan approved by the court, the Sacklers will no longer have any involvement with Purdue. The new company will be owned by an independent nonprofit foundation and overseen by a new board. The company will continue to be barred from marketing its opioid products, lobbying, and using opioid sales metrics for compensation by a court-ordered injunction. Its court-appointed monitor will continue to oversee the company to ensure compliance. After operating expenses, the company’s excess revenue will be distributed to state and local governments and the foundation to support opioid abatement.  

In January 2025, Attorney General James announced a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue and the Sacklers that will deliver funds for 15 years to support addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery programs. The Sacklers will pay $1.5 billion and Purdue will pay roughly $900 million in the first payment, expected in early 2026 pending settlement approval. Subsequent payments will be $500 million after one year, an additional $500 million after two years, and $400 million after three years. New York will receive up to $250 million total. In June, 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, agreed to the settlement. In addition, approximately 9,300 local governments have opted into the settlement.

With the addition of up to $250 million from this settlement, Attorney General James has secured New York state more than $3 billion from opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the opioid epidemic. These include Mylan, Indivior, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt, Allergan, Endo, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen. Attorney General James has also led multistate coalitions in reaching settlements for billions of dollars with CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart for their roles in failing to properly regulate opioid prescriptions. Additionally, Attorney General James co-led a bipartisan coalition of states in securing settlements with consulting firm McKinsey & Company and the marketing firm Publicis Health for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. 

Joining Attorney General James in this settlement in principle are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Governor Hochul Announces Record-Setting $3.3 Billion in State Spending With Minority- and Women-owned Businesses

State Payments to MWBEs Marks Highest Utilization Spend in Program History

31.86 Percent MWBE Utilization Rate Exceeds Nation-Leading 30 Percent Goal for Fifth Consecutive Year

Increased Discretionary Purchasing Threshold to $1.5 Million Streamlines Procurement and Expands Opportunities

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced historic achievements for New York State’s Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program as detailed in the newly released 2025 MWBE Annual Report. In Fiscal Year 2024–25, New York State disbursed $3.3 billion in payments to MWBEs — the highest statewide MWBE utilization spend in the history of the program — and achieved an estimated 31.86 percent utilization rate, marking the fifth consecutive year the State has met or exceeded its nation-leading 30 percent MWBE participation goal. Earlier this year, Governor Hochul signed legislation raising the MWBE discretionary purchasing threshold to $1.5 million, further streamlining procurement and expanding contracting opportunities for certified MWBE firms across the State.

“New York is leading the nation in uplifting minority- and women-owned businesses, and these results show what happens when we open doors to equal opportunity,” Governor Hochul said. “With a record $3.3 billion in payments to MWBEs and a 31.86 percent utilization rate, we are proving — five years in a row — that equity and economic growth go hand in hand. By raising the discretionary purchasing threshold to $1.5 million and continuing to streamline certification, we are ensuring more MWBEs can compete, win, and thrive across our State.”

The 2025 MWBE Annual Report outlines significant advancements made under Governor Hochul’s leadership to modernize, strengthen, and expand New York State’s MWBE program. Following the elimination of the certification backlog in 2023, the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development has continued to accelerate processing times, now averaging under 90 days for determinations. Through a series of targeted initiatives — including Sail-Thru Summer, Whirlwind Winter, Trailblazers in Business, Respuesta Rapida, Second Chance Certification Initiative, and Women Entrepreneurs Rising — the State provided hands-on application assistance to eligible firms through a network of Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers. Many applicants received determinations in as few as 30 days, marking the fastest certification timelines in program history.

The MWBE program now includes 9,745 certified firms statewide, with 2,225 firms certified or recertified in FY 2024–25. The State also expanded demographic reporting, with 249 certified businesses voluntarily providing detailed Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) information for the first time, ahead of next year’s inclusion of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) categories.

New York’s record-setting performance this year reflects strong participation across sectors and regions. State agencies and authorities reported $10.46 billion in total 15-A eligible expenditures, with MWBE utilization totaling $3.333 billion, comprising $1.724 billion in MBE utilization and $1.609 billion in WBE utilization. Since FY 2020–21, nearly $15 billion in State procurement spending has been directed to MWBEs, underscoring New York’s sustained commitment to equitable economic development. To further expand access, the State increased the MWBE discretionary purchasing threshold to $1.5 million, allowing agencies to procure more efficiently while widening the pipeline of contracting opportunities for certified firms.

Throughout FY 2024–25, the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development expanded its statewide presence through the MWBE Regional Opportunities Expo Series, held in Syracuse and the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, drawing more than 1,000 attendees and providing matchmaking, workshops, and direct engagement with public and private project owners. The Division also delivered two training webinars per month and participated in nearly 100 regional events, strengthening relationships with businesses across all ten New York regions.

New York State’s MWBE program is administered by Empire State Development’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development under Executive Law Article 15-A. Through certification, oversight, capacity building, and direct engagement, the program continues to help minority- and women-owned businesses grow, compete, and contribute to a more open statewide economy.

The 2025 MWBE Annual Report outlines significant advancements made under Governor Hochul’s leadership to modernize, strengthen, and expand New York State’s MWBE program. Following the elimination of the certification backlog in 2023, the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development has continued to accelerate processing times, now averaging under 90 days for determinations. Through a series of targeted initiatives — including Sail-Thru Summer, Whirlwind Winter, Trailblazers in Business, Respuesta Rapida, Second Chance Certification Initiative, and Women Entrepreneurs Rising — the State provided hands-on application assistance to eligible firms through a network of Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers. Many applicants received determinations in as few as 30 days, marking the fastest certification timelines in program history.

The MWBE program now includes 9,745 certified firms statewide, with 2,225 firms certified or recertified in FY 2024–25. The State also expanded demographic reporting, with 249 certified businesses voluntarily providing detailed Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) information for the first time, ahead of next year’s inclusion of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) categories.

New York’s record-setting performance this year reflects strong participation across sectors and regions. State agencies and authorities reported $10.46 billion in total 15-A eligible expenditures, with MWBE utilization totaling $3.333 billion, comprising $1.724 billion in MBE utilization and $1.609 billion in WBE utilization. Since FY 2020–21, nearly $15 billion in State procurement spending has been directed to MWBEs, underscoring New York’s sustained commitment to equitable economic development. To further expand access, the State increased the MWBE discretionary purchasing threshold to $1.5 million, allowing agencies to procure more efficiently while widening the pipeline of contracting opportunities for certified firms.