The Peru Gazette

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the competition guidelines and resources available for Round III of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative. Together with funding from twelve additional New York State agencies, up to $750 million in economic development resources will be available to applicants through the 2013 REDC process.

The 2013 Available CFA Resources Manual, which outlines the funds available from 29 state agency programs, and the 2013 REDC Guidebook, which provides the competitive guidelines for this year , are both available at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, it is clear that New York State is on the path to building an economy made for the 21st Century. The past two rounds of the Regional Economic Development Councils have shown what a difference we can make to local economies by listening to regional business and community leaders,” said Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils. “This year we’re looking for even stronger projects – from businesses and applicants of all sizes – that will create new jobs for New Yorkers and ensure the Empire State remains a leader in the global economy.”

2013 Guidelines

The 2013 Guidebook indicates the priorities regions should strive towards this year, which include:

§  Advancing all projects identified in their 2012 Implementation Agendas;

§  Keeping  the project pipeline flowing;

§  Selecting an “Innovation Hot Spot” to facilitate tech transfer;

§  Developing an Opportunity Agenda to revitalize distressed communities and address barriers into the workforce for people living in areas of concentrated poverty;

§  Engaging local  government officials in reshaping the regional business climate;

§  Creating interregional collaborations around shared resources and opportunities;

§  Advancing regional Cleaner, Greener Communities sustainability plans; and

§  Measuring performance.

Each region’s progress will once again be reviewed at the end of this round to encourage the implementation of the REDC’s strategic plans and to motivate investment opportunities and job creation. The Councils will be competing for up to $150 million in capital funds and $70 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects identified by the REDCs as priorities in their regions.

The focus of the competition will be on:

§  Implementation of regional economic development strategic plans;

§  Encouraging economic growth performance through job creation and investment; and

§  Identification of transformative projects that support interregional collaboration.

Available CFA Resources

Detailed funding requirements and application guidelines for all 29 programs included in this year’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) are also now available.  The CFA, created in 2011 to give economic development project applicants expedited and streamlined access to a combined pool of grant money and tax credits from dozens of existing programs, was recognized with a Special Award for Excellence in Business and Economic Development in 2012.

There are 26 programs available through 13 state agencies in 2013, including Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; NYS Energy Research and Development Authority; Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; Department of Labor; Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State, Office of National and Community Service; Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance; Higher Education Services Corporation; Department of Environmental Conservation; and Council on the Arts.  Specific funding amounts can be found below.

The CFA will be open to applicants at 8 a.m. on June 17, 2013 until 4 p.m. on August 12, 2013.

To maximize participation in the process and ensure high-quality applications, multiple public workshops will be held in each region of the state to explain the programs and eligibility standards, as well as recent improvements to the CFA application process. A schedule of workshops will be made available at www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov in the coming days.

Direct Assistance to Business and Other Organizations: Up to $235.25 million

• Empire State Development

o   Up to $152 million for ESD Grant Funds

o   Up to $70 million for Excelsior Jobs Program

o   Up to $1.25 million for Business Incubator and Innovation Hot Spot Program

o   Up to $1 million for ESD Grants for Strategic Planning and Feasibility Studies

o   Up to $10 million for Market New York

o   Up to $1 million for ESD Technical Assistance and Training Grants – Opportunity Agenda Projects

Community Development: Up to $52.7 million

• New York State Council on the Arts

o   Up to $4 million for Arts, Culture and Heritage Projects

• Homes and Community Renewal

o   Up to $2 million for Urban Initiatives Program

o   Up to $1.5 million for Rural Area Revitalization Projects

o   Up to $25 million for New York State Community Development Block Grant Program

o   Up to $2.2 million for New York Main Street Program

o   Up to $200,000 for New York Main Street- Technical Assistance Program

• Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

o   Up to $15 million for Environmental Protection Fund Municipal Grants

o   Up to $2.8 million for Recreational Trail Federal Grants

Waterfront Revitalization: Up to $13 million

• Department of State

o   Up to $12 million for Local Waterfront Program

• New York State Canal Corporation

o   Up to $1 million for the Canalway Grants Program

Energy: Up to $50 million

• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

o   Up for $50 million for Energy Efficiency Programs

• New York State Power Authority

o   Up to 910 MW for Recharge New York

Environmental Improvements: Up to $3 million

• Department of Environmental Conservation

o   Up to $2 million for New York State DEC/EFC Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant

• Empire State Development

o   Up to $1 million for Environmental Investment Program

• Environmental Facilities Corporation

o   Green Innovation Grant Program

Sustainability Planning and Implementation: Up to $34 million

• New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

o   Up to $30 million for the Cleaner Greener Communities Phase II Implementation Grants

• Department of State

o   Up to $4 million for Local Government Efficiency Grants

Education/Workforce Development: Up to $10.45 million

• Department of State

o   Up to $750,000 for Community Services Block Grant

• Higher Education Services Corporation

o   Up to $200,000 for College Access Challenge Grant

• Office of National and Community Service

o   Up to $1.5 million for the New York State AmeriCorps Program

• Department of Labor

o   Up to $5 million for Workforce Development

• Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

o   Up to $3 million for SNAP Opportunities

Low Cost Financing: Up to $350 million

• Empire State Development

o   Up to $350 million for Industrial Development Bond (IDB) Cap

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a key component of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s efforts to spur economic development and job creation across New York State. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 REDCs to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships composed of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The REDCs have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. As a result of the first two rounds of competitive awards, the State is supporting more than 1,450 regionally significant economic development and community revitalization projects that are creating new jobs for New Yorkers and generating investments that grow our economy. For more information on the Regional Councils, please visitwww.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.