New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a major economic boost powered by nearly $200 million in capital investments, which are projected to support and create more than 1,800 jobs across the Empire State. According to the governor's office, these awards have been facilitated by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees and include low-cost hydropower allocations and part of the ReCharge NY program's offerings.
Among the beneficiaries of these awards is Micro Bird, an electric school bus manufacturer based in Plattsburgh, receiving a 640-kilowatt low-cost power allocation for expansion plans. Governor Hochul emphasizes that these clean energy investments serve not only as economic drivers but also as community strengtheners, allowing businesses like Micro Bird to increase their production capabilities. The assertion is that opportunities will be opened for businesses to compete and succeed, according to a statement obtained by the governor's office.
The NYPA's ReCharge NY program, which aims to retain and develop jobs while encouraging capital investments, awarded nearly 5.2 megawatts of low-cost power to 11 companies from various regions, including the Finger Lakes and Western New York. NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll pointed out that NYPA's low-cost hydropower is fundamental for businesses to grow and that this latest slew of awards continues to create job opportunities from places ranging from Plattsburgh to Buffalo. Driscoll's remarks were shared in the same announcement by the governor's office.
Specifically in Western New York, companies like Big Heart Pet Brands and Rosina Food Products also received low-cost hydropower allocations. The former is gearing up for a nearly $53 million expansion expected to generate 17 new jobs, while Rosina is planning a $50 million expansion that could create 95 jobs, significantly increasing their production of Italian-style frozen foods. State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan praised the expansions as indicative of the strength of the local workforce, with these projects sending a positive message about the power of manufacturing in the region, as relayed in the governor's announcement.
Another recipient is the Village of Marathon's Square Deal Machining, which under NYPA's Industrial Economic Development program, is setting up a 30,000 square-foot addition to house new metal fabrication machinery and is planning to create 24 new jobs with a $3.5 million project. These awards are symbolic of New York's ambitious climate plan, which seeks to transition to a zero-emissions economy by 2050 and mandates that a substantial portion of clean energy investments benefit marginalized communities.
