October 26, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON BRINGS NEW ECONOMY JOBS PLAN TO THE HUDSON VALLEY
Governor David A. Paterson today joined local manufacturers, educators and business leaders in the regional innovation economy movement for a detailed discussion on the Governor’s Bold Steps to the New Economy: A Jobs Plan for the People of New York. Governor Paterson highlighted the emergence of a New Economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation and outlined his vision for how New York will lead this New Economy. The discussion was hosted by the Hudson Valley Technology Development Center (HVTDC) and Prism Solar Technologies at their facility in Highland, Ulster County.
“The high-tech industry will play an integral role in driving our State into the New Economy of the 21st century – an economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation,” Governor Paterson said. “We need to embrace this economic evolution and prepare ourselves to capitalize on its opportunities. Organizations like HVTDC and companies like Prism Solar Technologies are at the forefront of the innovation economy movement.”
Earlier this month, Governor Paterson announced the availability of $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding through a competitive Statewide solicitation for solar energy projects. The funding is available through New York State Energy Research Development Authority's (NYSERDA) State Energy Program and will support the installation of solar photovoltaic systems. Earlier this year, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) issued Request for Proposals for 50 megawatts of solar energy projects to be located on Long Island. Additionally, the Governor announced that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) is expected to make a formal request for proposals later this year for a 100-megawatt solar initiative. Combined, these LIPA and NYPA projects will increase the State's current installed solar capacity seven-fold.
Investment in renewable energy has already paid off, as the industry has created upwards of 140 jobs in the Hudson Valley already this year. In April, Governor Paterson announced that SpectraWatt, a designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic cells, will build its new headquarters in Dutchess County, bringing 161 new jobs to this area. The $81 million investment will provide a state-of-the-art facility to house SpectraWatt’s first manufacturing line and serve as the company’s global research and development center. The State made a $4.5 million investment in SpectraWatt through a combination of Empire State Development and NYSERDA funding.
In June, the Governor unveiled his New Economy Jobs Plan to establish New York as a leader in the innovation economy. Through a coordinated effort by the State and its private sector partners, the New Economy Jobs Plan focuses on advancement in science, technology, heath care and energy to capitalize on existing resources and create the jobs of the future. As part of the New Economy plan, Governor Paterson created an Innovation Economy Matching Grants program that will provide a 10 percent match for every stimulus dollar the federal government awards through competitive grants to research facilities in New York State. This program will help ensure that new research centers are built in New York that will position the State for future federal grants and private investment.
Following his Jobs Plan announcement, Governor Paterson has met with regional business leaders throughout the State. On Friday, Governor Paterson was in Central New York to announce that Bannon Automotive, LLC, a New York-based company, will build electric vehicles at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in that region, bringing New Economy technology and jobs to the State.
Hudson Valley Technology Development Center is a private, non-profit organization. It is one of 10 Statewide New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) designated Regional Technology Development Centers and serves a seven county region providing services designed to improve the performance of manufacturers, reducing their costs and increasing profitability.
Prism Solar Technologies relocated their business to Ulster County earlier this year. A leader in low-cost, high-tech innovation, they developed, with over $1.7 million in assistance from NYSERDA, a holographic film to enhance the efficiency of solar cells.
