The state”™s Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council seeks proposals for economic development projects in the region that the council will recommend as priorities for state funding this year.
The projects will be included in the second round of Gov. Andrew Cuomo”™s regional strategy to spur job creation and economic growth throughout the state. In tandem with regional planning led by the state Empire State Development Corp. and Lieut. Gov. Robert Duffy, state agencies last year adopted a consolidated funding application (CFA) to streamline the selection and awards process in Albany for proposed projects.
The 21-member Mid-Hudson council represents Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties.
Priority projects will be chosen for their potential to stimulate job creation, private sector investment and transformational economic growth in keeping with the goals of the council”™s strategic plan for the seven-county region. That plan includes a focus on growth industries such as biotechnology, high-tech manufacturing and information technology, as well as more established industries such as health care, financial and professional services and the food and beverage sector.
Businesses and organizations wishing to respond to the council”™s call for proposals should fill out a priority project worksheet and submit it by 5 p.m. June 29 along with any supporting documentation. The strategic plan and the project worksheet can be found at: www.nyworks.ny.gov/content/mid-hudson.
Applicants must complete a CFA for each project submitted. The deadline for CFA submissions is 4 p.m. July 16. Application materials are available online at: https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/index.cfm.
The regional councils this year will vie for shares of $150 million in capital and $70 million in tax credits from the Excelsior Jobs Program to support their projects and advance their regional strategies. An additional $530 million is available from 21 state agency programs for projects selected in the consolidated funding application process.
Empire State Development officials in a press release said the CFA this year is “an even more business-friendly and productive tool for economic development. It will remain the primary portal for businesses to apply for state agency resources, including resources for community development, direct assistance to business, waterfront revitalization, energy and environmental improvements, sustainability, workforce development, agricultural economic development and low-cost financing.”
[Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect that Empire State Development extended the deadline for submission of priority project proposals from June 22 to June 29.]
