More than $43 million has been allocated to five projects across Upstate New York through the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) grant program, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The initiative aims to upgrade sites for industrial use and make the state more appealing to large employers and high-tech manufacturers.
The FAST NY program, administered by Empire State Development, is intended to diversify the state’s economy by supporting site improvements that encourage new business investments and job creation. Since its launch, the program has awarded over $326 million to 39 sites in Upstate New York. Governor Hochul has also secured an additional $100 million in the FY2026 Executive Budget to further expand FAST NY.
“Through FAST NY, we are effectively promoting manufacturing and bringing good-paying jobs to communities across Upstate New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Leading companies are choosing to come to New York because of our top-tier workforce, and the added attraction of plentiful shovel-ready sites makes our state a destination for world-class businesses seeking to expand their operations here.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight stated, “New York State is actively building its future with the full and focused support of Governor Hochul and in partnership with local agencies. We are developing even more shovel-ready sites throughout Upstate New York, investing in the infrastructure needed for high-tech industries to create a strong economic ecosystem that drives sustainable growth and good-paying jobs for New Yorkers.”
Among the latest awardees is the Village of Maybrook in Orange County, which will receive $25.48 million for infrastructure improvements at the long-vacant Maybrook Rail Yard. This funding will help develop the Switchyard Terminal for Economic and Advanced Manufacturing (STEAM) Rail & Business Park by upgrading roads, water, sewer, and drainage systems. The upgrades aim to attract strategic industries by providing six building-pad sites accessible via rail.
The Fulton County Industrial Development Agency will get $8.99 million for revitalizing Tryon Technology Park in Perth. The funds will be used for water pump station upgrades, wastewater system improvements, demolition work, and earthwork—preparing up to four buildings on a 220-acre site targeted at manufacturing companies.
Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency was awarded $7.9 million for key upgrades at Central New York Business Center in Frankfort. Improvements include gas main upgrades, fire protection enhancements, roadwork, utility extensions, and stormwater management—aiming to attract advanced manufacturers.
Advance Albany County Alliance Local Development Corporation received $500,000 for pre-development work at Al Tech Advanced Manufacturing Campus in Colonie. This includes planning efforts such as engineering studies and site evaluations designed to speed up redevelopment.
Erie County was also awarded $500,000 for engineering services related to sewer and wastewater capacity improvements at Elma Pumping Station—expected to more than double corridor capacity for industry growth.
FAST NY began in February 2022 with an initial commitment of $200 million; subsequent budget allocations have increased total funding available under the program to $400 million. Companies such as fairlife, Chobani, Edwards Vacuum, Siemens Mobility and Oxbo have either expanded or established operations in New York through this initiative—investing over $2.2 billion and creating nearly 3,000 jobs statewide.
FAST NY grants support both pre-development activities and infrastructure investments aimed at attracting industries like high-tech manufacturing, semiconductors, renewable energy technology production, life sciences sectors such as biotechnology or pharmaceuticals development firms among others; eligible sites may also serve logistics or distribution purposes within interstate commerce. More information about FAST NY can be found on esd.ny.gov/fast-ny.
State Senator Patricia Fahy commented on these developments: “When manufacturing left the Capital Region and Upstate New York communities decades ago, it primarily hurt working people’s ability to get a meaningful, good-paying job and get ahead. With the FAST NY program, we’re investing in the future of the Capital Region’s manufacturing industry and bringing it back with workforce development aimed at advanced manufacturing industries. Connecting our workforce and families to advanced manufacturing opportunities will change lives, create new career paths and opportunities, and ensure our communities aren’t just ready for the economy of tomorrow but able to capitalize on it as well. Today’s announcement of $500,000 brings us closer to that goal, and by investing in true shovel-ready sites at the Al Tech Advanced Manufacturing Campus here in Albany, we’re accelerating growth in advanced manufacturing, strengthening our regional competitiveness, and laying the groundwork for thousands of future jobs across our Capital Region. I want to thank Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for their commitment to building out the infrastructure that high-growth industries demand, and for ensuring the Capital Region is ready to seize the next generation of economic opportunity.”
Village of Maybrook Mayor Dennis Leahy said: “For many years,the Maybrook Rail Yard has symbolized both great promiseand missed opportunity.Today throughGovernor Hochul’s leadershipandthe FASTNYprogram,we takea transformative step forward.The State’s$25million investmentwill redevelopthislong-idle propertyintoSwitchyard TerminalforEconomicandAdvancedManufacturing establishing shovel-readysitesthatwillattractinnovativeemployersandexpandeconomicopportunityforMaybrookandOrangeCounty.Withourinfrastructurerevitalized,theVillageispreparedtoassumeitsroleasaregionaleconomiccenter,andweextendoursincereappreciationfortheState’spartnershipinbuildingastronger,moresprosperousfuture.”
Herkimer County Chairman Peter J.Campione added:“WearegratefultoGovernorHochulforthissignificantinvestmentintheCentralNewYorkBusinessCenter.Thisfundingwillallowustocompleteessentialinfrastructureupgradesthatpreparethesiteforadvancedmanufacturingdrivejobcreation,andstrengthentheregion’seconomicfuture.WeappreciatetheGovernor’scontinuedsupportandcommitmenttogrowingNewYork’smanufacturingeconomy.”
Empire State Development serves as New York’s chief economic development agency overseeing programs designedto foster businessgrowth,statewidejobcreation,andbroader economicopportunity.
