Find out how we're moving Warren County forward...
Bi-Weekly Development News for Warren County and the Region
Ed Bartholomew, President | Arleen Girard, Chair
APRIL 6, 2018
INSIDE EDC
EDC President Ed Bartholomew congratulates Queensbury School
District Superintendent Doug Huntley and the Board of Education for creating this program. "This program has the possibility of bringing additional families, businesses to the region and making our region more competitive in attracting international businesses to this area."
Global Scholars Host Family Information Night
Tuesday, April 10 @ 7 PM
Queensbury High School
Library/Media Center
409 Aviation Road, Queensbury
Explore world cultures with your family
from the comfort of home.
Queensbury High School is now accepting applications from international students for the new Global Scholars program. The program will allow high school-aged students from around the world to experience education in Queensbury while living with local host families.
During their 10-month exchange, each host family will enjoy a unique, memory-making relationship with one well-vetted scholar. Host families provide housing and embrace their guest scholars into regular family life such as mealtimes, outings and vacations. In exchange, they get to build new friendships, explore a different culture and receive a monthly stipend for expenses.
Is hosting a Global Scholar right for your family? Get the details you need to decide during the Global Scholars Host Family Information Night! Come learn more about the process and requirements to become a host family, and hear stories from current host families in other school districts.
How to grow your business through NYS & Federal certification programs:
Is your business owned by a Women, Minority, Service-Disabled Veteran, Native American, or have less than 250 employees?Would like a competitive edge when selling to the government and agencies that accept government funding?
If you have answered yes to one or more of the questions above, you may be eligible for one of the NYS or Federal Certification programs that could give you a an advantage when selling to the government and the organizations that receive government funds.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the highlights of the FY 2019 Budget. The Budget builds on the state's record of delivering for New Yorkers by making the highest ever investment in K-12 education, enacting a nation-leading women's agenda, advancing 21st century transportation solutions, protecting taxpayers against federal tax changes, strengthening the middle class, and making strategic investments in New York's future to drive growth and create opportunity for all. For the eighth consecutive year, the Budget is balanced and holds spending growth to 2 percent or less.
Highlights FY 2019 Budget:
State Operating Funds spending is $100.1 billion - for the eighth consecutive year, holding growth to 2 percent (State Operating Funds exclude Federal funds and capital).
All Funds spending $168.3 billion for FY 2019.
Protects New Yorkers from negative federal tax implications with new state tax code.
Continues the phase-in of the $4.2 billion Middle Class Tax Cut to deliver relief to six million New Yorkers - saving households $250 on average and $700 annually when fully effective.
Increases Education Aid by approximately $1 billion (3.9 percent), to a record total of $26.7 billion for the 2018-19 school year and a 36 percent increase since 2012.
Requires school districts to provide information on how they allocate funding to schools in order to increase transparency.
Invests $25 million to expand prekindergarten and after school programs.
Implements the nation's most aggressive program to combat sexual harassment.
Extends the storage timeline for forensic rape kits from 30 days to 20 years.
Institutes landmark protections to ensure New York's elections remain free from outside influence and cyberattacks.
Environment
Attack Harmful Algal Blooms: Using resources from the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the Environmental Protection Fund, the State will implement a $65 million initiative to combat harmful algal blooms in Upstate New York water bodies. The resources will be used to develop action plans to reduce sources of pollution that spark algal blooms, and provide grant funding to implement the action plans, including the installation of new monitoring and treatment technologies.
Continue the Clean Water Infrastructure Act: The FY 2019 Budget continues the State's historic multi-year $2.5 billion investment in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and source water protection actions that will protect the environment and enhance communities' health and wellness.
Renew Record Funding for the Environmental Protection Fund: The Budget continues EPF funding at $300 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history.
Driving Economic Growth & Development
Continue the Successful Regional Economic Development Councils: In 2011, the State established 10 Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) to develop long-term regional strategic economic development plans. The Budget includes core capital and tax-credit funding that will be combined with a wide range of existing agency programs for an eighth round of REDC awards totaling $750 million.
Launch Next Round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative: The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant communities where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work and raise families. The FY 2019 Budget provides $100 million for the Downtown Revitalization Program Round III.
Advance Industrial Hemp Production: The State will continue the investment in Hemp research, production, and processing made in FY 2018 through a broad, multi-pronged program. The FY 2019 Budget provides $650,000 for a brand-new $3.2 million industrial hemp processing facility in the Southern Tier. New York State will import thousands of pounds of industrial hemp seed, ensuring that farmers have access to a high-quality product and easing the administrative burden on farmers. Further, New York State will invest an additional $2 million in a seed certification and breeding program, to begin producing unique New York seed. Finally, New York will host an Industrial Hemp Research Forum in February, bringing together researchers and academics with businesses and processors to develop ways to further boost industry research in New York.
Drive Investment in Life Sciences: The Budget includes $600 million to support construction of a world-class, state-of-the-art life sciences public health laboratory in the Capital District that will promote collaborative public/private research and development partnerships.
Extend and Strengthen the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit: The FY 2019 Budget agreement reauthorizes the State Commercial and Homeowner rehabilitation tax credit programs through 2025 and allows the State commercial credit to be used independently of the federal credit.
Invest in the Olympic Regional Development Authority: The Budget includes $62.5 million in new capital funding for ORDA, including $50 million for a strategic upgrade and modernization plan to support improvements to the Olympic facilities and ski resorts, $10 million for critical maintenance and energy efficiency upgrades, and $2.5 million appropriated from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation budget as part of the New York Works initiative.
State capital programs include $20 million upgrades for Gore, Whiteface, and Mt. Van Hoevenberg facilities.
Enhance North Country Lodging: The State will provide the North Country region with tools and resources to bolster tourism in the North Country and catalyze private investment in lodging. Empire State Development will commission a study to identify lodging development opportunities in the Adirondacks and Thousand Island regions, and provide $13 million in capital funding through the REDCs and Upstate Revitalization Initiative to spur development activity.
Establish $175 Million Workforce Initiative: The FY 2019 Budget establishes a new approach for workforce investments that would support strategic regional efforts to meet businesses' short-term workforce needs, improve regional talent pipelines, expand apprenticeships, and address the long-term needs of expanding industries-with a particular focus on emerging fields with growing demand for jobs like clean energy and technology. Funds will also support efforts to improve the economic security of women, youth, and other populations that face significant barriers to career advancement.
Advancing the Women's Agenda
Combat Sexual Harassment: The Budget includes nation-leading, multi-pronged legislation to combat sexual harassment in the workplace:
Require all state contractors to submit an affirmation that they have a sexual harassment policy and that they have trained all of their employees.
Prohibit employers from using a mandatory arbitration provision in an employment contract in relation to sexual harassment.
Require officers and employees of the state or of any public entity to reimburse the state for any state or public payment made upon a judgement of intentional wrongdoing related to sexual harassment.
Ensure that nondisclosure agreements can only be used when the condition of confidentiality is the explicit preference of the victim
Establish a model sexual harassment policy, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Division of Human Rights, for employers to adopt or use to establish a similar policy that meets or exceeds the minimum standards of the model policy
Amend the law to protect contractors, subcontractors, vendors, consultants or others providing services in the workplace from sexual harassment in the workplace
End Sextortion: The Budget includes legislation increasing the existing penalties for compelling another person to engage in sexual conduct by threatening their health, safety, business, career, financial condition, reputation or personal relationships.
Extend the Storage Timeline for Rape Kits: The FY 2019 Budget includes legislation to extend the length of time sexual offense evidence collection kits are preserved from 30 days to 20 years, delivering justice to survivors.
Reauthorize MWBE Program Legislation: The FY 2019 Budget extends the State's Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program, which is due to expire this year, for one year.
2018-2019 New York State BUDGET
Below is a letter with summary and link to final budget from New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan M. Silva
April 2, 2018
Good afternoon NYSEDC Members,
I hope you had a nice weekend. On Friday, New York State passed a 168.2 Billion Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. Attached is a link to the
final budget that was passed.
Included below are some economic development related programs that were included in final passage. We are happy to share the public works expansion being discussed did not make it into the final budget. Additionally, the deferrment of tax credits language was removed as was language that would further expand the MWBE program. I would like to thank all our members who proactively reached out and assisted with our advocacy efforts.
Unfortunately, the two major proactive initiatives the NYSEDC was proposing, the $100 Million Shovel Ready Program and IDA Loans and Grants Legislation, did not not make it into the final budget. We are very encouraged that both these items were part of a large discussion throughout the budget process and will remain a topic of discussion throughout the remaining legislative session. Thank you again to all who reached out to their members of the Senate and Assembly to generate support for these programs. If you have any additional questions or would like more information, please dont hesitate to reach out.
FY 2019 Economic Development Budget
Investment in Life Sciences: includes $600 million to support construction of a world-class, state-of-the-art life sciences public health laboratory in the Capital District that will promote collaborative public/private research and development partnerships.
Regional Economic Development Councils: The Executive Budget includes core capital and tax-credit funding that will be combined with a wide range of existing agency programs for an eighth round of REDC awards totaling $750 million. The core funding includes $150 million to fund regional priority projects and$70 million in from the Excelsior Jobs tax credits program.
$175 million Workforce Development Program: workforce investments that would support strategic regional efforts to meet businesses' short-term workforce needs, improve regional talent pipelines, expand apprenticeships, and address the long-term needs of expanding industries-with a focus on emerging fields with growing demand for jobs like clean energy and technology.
New York Works Economic Development Fund: second round of investment equaling $200
million to provide additional statewide capital grants to support projects that facilitate the creation of new jobs or retain existing jobs, or fund infrastructure investments necessary to attract new businesses or expand existing businesses.
Downtown Revitalization: provides $100 million for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Round III.
Photonics Attraction Fund in Rochester: dedicate $30 million to attract integrated photonics companies to set up their manufacturing operations in the greater Rochester area.
Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) Capital Improvements: includes $62.5 million in new capital funding for ORDA, including $50 million for a strategic upgrade and modernization plan to support improvements to the Olympic facilities and ski resorts, $10 million for critical maintenance and energy efficiency upgrades, and $2.5 million appropriated from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation budget as part of the New York Works initiative.
Extend and Strengthen the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit: The FY 2019 Budget agreement reauthorizes the State Commercial and Homeowner rehabilitation tax credit programs through 2025 and allows the State commercial credit to be used independently of the federal credit.
Ryan M Silva
Executive Director
New York State Economic Development Council
If you have any questions about this e-mail, please contact:
Grants available for businesses to upgrade facades in downtown Glens Falls
GLENS FALLS - The city's façade program is open for business.
Applications are being accepted until April 27 from downtown businesses interested in applying for a share of $100,000 to upgrade their storefronts or other facilities.
The money is from the nearly $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds the city has received from the state.
EDC Warren County President Edward Bartholomew said businesses have to prove they have the financial standing to pay the 50 percent match for the program. The funds are provided to the business upon completion of the work.
For this feature in our Local Spotlight, we interviewed Barkeater Chocolates and the co-owners, Jim & Debbie Morris, to learn more about their business nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks. Located near the base of Gore Mountain ski area in North Creek, NY, mouth-watering gourmet chocolate truffles are handmade using a European process in small batches in a variety of explosive flavors.
With its long and storied history, the Park Theater has been a part of downtown Glens Falls for over 100 years, first opening its doors just before Christmas in 1911.
And now, in its nearly completed $3 million transformation, it will again bring an array of venues - live music, the symphony, weddings, films, dance parties, dramatic acts, comedy shows - and a 77-seat restaurant to the community.
The downtown arts space is the result of Elizabeth Miller's image, vision and dream for The Park Theater.
Leaving no detail forgotten, the completely restored space, scheduled for a grand opening event on April 18, feels a bit "Great Gatsby" elegant with its grand entry, ornate leafed and sparkling chandelier and domed ceiling.
The project received a $600,000 grant through the New York State CFA funding process. Additionally, the Glens Falls IDA provided sales tax and mortgage tax exemptions along with a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT).
The Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council (A/GFTC) is pleased to announce the availability of the public survey for our Long Range Plan update, 2040 Ahead. If you travel in and around Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga County region, we want to hear from you! We want to know about how you get from place to place, the transportation problems that affect you, and what priorities you think are most important for the transportation system. The survey is located here.
A/GFTC is made up of local elected officials, planners, municipal staff, and representatives from state and federal transportation agencies. Every 5 years, we update our Long Range Plan, to set goals and priorities for the regional transportation system. To learn more about A/GFTC, visit our website at www.agftc.org.
Lakes to Locks Passage photo contest
LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE
SENSE OF PLACE PHOTO CONTEST
Help us celebrate 15 successful years of helping communities and fostering local economies. We provide a wide variety of services to municipalities, museums, and nonprofits all along the scenic byway-from Albany to the Quebec border. To help spread the word and highlight the beauty of our byway, we want residents and visitors to share their favorite spot on the Lakes to Locks Passage scenic byway-whether they're paddling Lake Champlain, hiking a trail, exploring an historic building or quaint village, crossing a lock on the Champlain Canal, or learning about the history hidden in these stunning landscapes.
In order to make this first (and what we hope will be an annual) event possible, we are appealing to local businesses to donate prizes that will be given to the winners of the photo contest.
EDC President Ed Bartholomew serves as president of Lakes to Locks.
Contact EDC President Ed Bartholomew at
518-761-6007
Loan Fund of $500,000
$250,000 From NYS ESD
$250,000 From Local Private Banks
Small & Medium Sized Businesses
Bridge Gaps, New Equipment, Capital, Expansions
Loan Underwriting by NYBDC
The Hyde to open Rockwell Kent exhibitions April 8 through July 22
Rockwell Kent (American, 1882-1971), Flame, 1928, wood engraving, 8 x 5 ½ in., Collection of Ralf C. Nemec.
GLENS FALLS, NY-Rockwell Kent was a polarizing figure: An acclaimed artist and printmaker, a household name as traveler and author, his private mores scandalized family and friends, his social activism his political adversaries. His politics garnered him a certain degree of notoriety, while his art earned him critical acclaim. On Sunday, April 8, The Hyde Collection will open two exhibitions of the artist's works in three mediums.
During this 8-day event enjoy many opportunities to save on lift tickets, participate in free promotions, experience fun and festive ski-themed games. Don't say goodbye to the ski season just yet!
Don't Miss the next Warren County Watch with Maury Thompson
Coming Soon!
Maury Thompson is a former newspaper reporter, who retired from The Post-Star after 21 years covering the region.
He keeps his finger on the pulse of economic development, business and quality of life in Warren County by writing a twice-a-month column for EDC Warren County. Next update April 13, 2018.
SAVE THE DATE:
ANCA
BIKE THE BARNS
September 30, 2018
Celebrate local farms & food with the ANCA's 3rd Annual Bike the Barns -- one-day farm-by-bike experience.
Start/Finish: Asgaard Farm & Dairy, Au Sable Forks, New York
For more information about route options, farm stops, local food and live music, visit
www.adirondack.org/btb
Don't miss the 61st Annual Hudson River Whitewater Derby in North Creek, NY. This is the area's longest running whitewater derby, featuring a slalom race, downriver race, music, awards, and more.
DirtDaze Adventure Bike Rally, Lake Luzerne, NY. June 6 - 9, 2018
DirtDAZE, an adventure bike rally, will be held in Lake Luzerne June 6-9 in coordination with the annual Americade rally in Lake George, the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce announced.
The adventure bike rally will be held on private property in Lake Luzerne, with access to dirt roads for riding.
Registered attendees of DirtDAZE receive free admission to the Americade Expo in Lake George.
Lake Placid area lands $62.5M for winter sports venues
Legislature OKs governor's proposal ahead of international competitions
LAKE PLACID - Early Saturday morning, New York lawmakers approved Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to invest $62.5 million investment into this Olympic host's winter sports venues.
In his budget in January, Cuomo said the money would go to the state Olympic Regional Development Authority and include
"$50 million for a strategic upgrade and modernization plan to support improvements to the Olympic facilities and ski resorts, $10 million for critical maintenance and energy efficiency upgrades, and $2.5 million appropriated from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation budget as part of the New York Works initiative."
Click here to read an article in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise summarizing New York State's heavy investment in all ORDA venues.
Warehouses Are Now Worth More Than Offices, Thanks to Amazon
Demand for 'big box' properties surges in age of e-commerce
Even for urban office space, values are neck and neck
