This month, manufacturers from Long Island to Buffalo were awarded grants from Empire State Development and other New York State agencies to assist with capital expansion, worker training, and other growth needs.
On December 13th, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the results of the annual Regional Economic Development Council competition, which included $755 million in awards to companies and organizations through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process.
Many of those were for projects assisting manufacturers. For example, companies received grants to purchase new equipment, build new processing lines, move into bigger facilities, and implement energy efficiency measures. Several organizations received funding to develop specialized manufacturing training programs. The full list of projects can be found here.
It’s not too soon to develop plans to apply for this kind of funding in the 2018 cycle. Typically, the grant application is open for three months over the summer. Manufacturers are advised to seek the support of their Regional Economic Development Council, which plays a role in determining priority projects and evaluating applications. They should also consult with the Empire State Development regional office in their area for guidance on the best program fit and guidelines.