By Empire State Development
Upstate New York was once a powerhouse of industry, with traditional manufacturing employing tens of thousands of people and serving as the economic engine for entire communities. Today, we’ve entered a new era of innovation. This is the new New York, a state of opportunity where we are investing in the growth of the 21st century economy, supporting the businesses and industries that represent the jobs of tomorrow.
We’re already seeing results – by attracting global leaders in fields such as nanotechnology, photonics, advanced manufacturing and clean energy; and at the same time, establishing thriving hubs for 21st century industries throughout New York State, from Buffalo to Long Island and everywhere in between. Through years of deliberate fiscal discipline, New York has achieved the lowest tax rates in a generation, lowest unemployment in years, and added close to one million private sector jobs since 2011.
Our blueprint for statewide economic development emphasizes long-term, regionally-based plans for fiscal growth through the Regional Economic Development Councils. Through this community-based, bottom-up approach, the State works with local experts and stakeholders to identify regional strengths, challenges, and opportunities, leading to burgeoning industry sectors and hubs of tomorrow.
Highlights from each Upstate region provide a vibrant snapshot of New York State innovative industry growth and attraction:
Western New York’s livable area and skilled workforce is drawing life sciences and advanced manufacturing companies to Buffalo. Access to the Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data & Health Sciences at the University at Buffalo has bolstered the region’s health and life sciences sectors. New biotech company Tactiva Therapeutics LLC will launch in Buffalo and develop the next generation of cancer immunotherapies. Circuit Clinical also opened its new offices in Buffalo. The clinical research and technology company is partnering with three of the area’s leading physician groups as well as the University at Buffalo to streamline the clinical research process for doctors and patients in Western New York. 43 North, the world’s largest business plan competition, is also attracting innovative entrepreneurs from around the globe to Buffalo.
The Finger Lakes region is world-renowned for optics, photonics, and imaging, and has grown and diversified to include advanced manufacturing, technology and R&D. The new AMPrint Center opened at the Rochester Institute of Technology and will develop new 3-D printing technologies, materials and devices. The facility is one of 15 state Centers for Advanced Technology encouraging universities and businesses to collaborate on research and development of new technologies. Rochester’s Eastman Business Park is home to an ecosystem of innovative businesses, including AIM Photonics, a world-class advanced manufacturing facility that improves the performance of semiconductor circuits.
Central New York is on the rise and blazing a trail in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry. The region is developing a 50-mile flight corridor between Syracuse and Rome that will support a new UAS Traffic Management System and state-of-the-art testing facilities. Saab Defense and Security USA, LLC, relocated its North American headquarters to East Syracuse, building on the region’s strengths in aerospace and precision sensing industries; and SRC Inc., a UAS-focused R&D firm, plans to add 1,000 jobs in the coming years. The year-long GENIUS NY business competition for Unmanned Systems – the largest in the world – further accelerates this growing industry by awarding a total of $2.75 million plus additional resources to six finalist teams.
The Southern Tier is home to top-tier education and innovation, offering a prime location for cleantech and renewable energy companies to thrive. One of New York State’s six Centers of Excellence, Binghamton University’s Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging Center researches and tests battery energy efficiency and offers student research and workforce training opportunities for the clean energy experts of tomorrow. Imperium3 New York, Inc. is establishing manufacturing operations in space vacated by IBM more than two decades ago in Broome County, where they will produce cheaper, more energy-efficient lithium ion batteries and create hundreds of jobs. The 76West business competition is also incubating next-gen cleantech startups by offering $20 million to six winners to develop their technologies in the Southern Tier.
The Mohawk Valley is transforming into a hub for nanotechnology and attracting 21st century companies from across the globe to Utica. Danfoss, one of the world’s leading suppliers of power electronics, HVAC and mobile hydraulic solutions, is establishing high-tech operations at the Computer Chip Commercialization Center in Utica, further propelling New York forward as a leader in semiconductor research and development. This industry front-runner researches, develops and manufactures semiconductors to be utilized in power electronics applications for industrial products such as wind turbines, utility-scale solar inverters, data centers and hybrid cars, in addition to an array of applications ranging from super-computing, green energy, tablets, and cell phones.
The North Country is becoming increasingly recognized for its advanced manufacturing, transit equipment and aerospace industries. Like every region, the North Country offers collaboration with its colleges and universities, which provides critical workforce development and R&D infrastructure. In Plattsburgh, Nova Bus is developing and producing the next generation of public transit solutions. This innovative company – keeping energy efficiency and “sustainable mobility” in mind – is transforming stainless steel structures into buses ready to use across transit systems worldwide. Norsk Titanium, the world’s first FAA-approved supplier of aerospace-grade, additive manufactured, structural titanium components, also established operations in Plattsburgh and will begin producing Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems components, along with other aerospace manufacturers.
Within the last decade, the Capital Region has become the nation’s capital for nanotechnology R&D. Located in Albany, SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a globally-recognized higher education institution focused on nano science and engineering. SUNY Poly has been at the center of groundbreaking technology and its work with businesses is a model for public-private partnerships, while also ensuring New York research generates New York jobs. Semiconductor manufacturer GLOBALFOUNDRIES built a new research and development facility on its Fab 8 Campus in Saratoga County, increasing the company’s workforce and capabilities for developing and producing new computer chip technology. New York is also becoming a key player in the digital gaming industry with companies like Vicarious Visions developing some of the biggest names in video games right in the Albany area. Vicarious Visions hires potential employees from both Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located in the Capital region, and Rochester Institute of Technology in the Finger Lakes region, through its co-op program, which allows college students to receive career training with pay as they work alongside industry professionals in their field of study.
Major clusters of life sciences and advanced manufacturing companies are forming in the Mid-Hudson region. Regeneron – a biopharmaceutical firm headquartered in Tarrytown – has become a global leader and is known for its “think tank” approach that brings researchers together to brainstorm new techniques and medical treatments. The Metallized Carbon Corporation established a new facility in Sullivan County which will manufacture products for the company’s Metcar Aerospace Materials Division. Pratt & Whitney, a leading designer, manufacturer and servicer of engine and propulsion systems, also made a large investment in the region when they established new operations in Orange County.
New York State continues to invest in the future, creating opportunities through business expansion and attraction while supporting the growth of cutting-edge ideas and entrepreneurship. Our inclusive approach, world-renowned public-private partnerships, and strategic investments rooted in regional needs and assets are driving innovation, generating high-paying jobs, and building the new New York as a central hub of the 21st century economy.
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