How to Successfully Navigate New York’s Public

Funding Process

Mark Wladis, AttorneyJennifer Granzow, Attorney/Grant WriterLeann West, Government Relations/Economic Development

Outline Regional Economic Development Councils Consolidated Funding Application The Process and Timelines What to do Before, During, and After the Application Period The Scoring Process Case Studies Questions Resource Guide Contact Information

Regional Economic Development Councils

In 2011, Governor Cuomo created 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. A key component of Governor Cuomo's transformative approach to economic development, these councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations

Also in 2011, as part of a process that awarded $785 million for job creation and community development, the Regional Councils produced innovative plans that truly reflect the distinct characteristics of each of the 10 regions.

New York kept the momentum going with a second round of funding in 2012 for the Regional Councils, including $220 million to implement regional strategic plans.

The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach.

Regional Economic Development Councils

In New York State’s 2013-14 budget, the Legislature included

◦ $150 million in flexible new economic development capital funding – appropriated to Empire State Development to fund regional priority projects.

◦ $70 million in State tax credits – set aside from the Excelsior Jobs tax credit program to fund regional priority projects.

◦ $165 million to provide capital grants that support job creation and retention and fund capital investments that facilitate business expansion and the attraction of new businesses.

Consolidated Funding Application

As part of Governor Cuomo’s efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth, the Governor also created the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).

The CFA has been designed to give economic development project applicants expedited and streamlined access to a combined pool of grant funds and tax credits from dozens of existing programs.

The CFA is a modern and easy-to-use online application that allows businesses and municipal entities to apply for multiple agency funding sources through a single, we-based application.

Consolidated Funding Application

In the 2013-14 funding rounds, the CFA will remain the primary portal to access state agency resources, including resources for community development, direct assistance to business, waterfront revitalization, energy and environmental improvements, sustainability, workforce development, agricultural economic development, and low-cost financing.

State agencies and authorities making resources available in the CFA include: Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; NYS Energy Research and Development Authority; NY Power Authority; Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; Department of Labor; Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State; New York Power Authority; Agriculture and Markets; Department of Environment Conservation; and the Council on the Arts.

The Process and Timelines

Funding rounds typically occur once per year

o Funds are announced in the Spring, applications are due 6 to 8 weeks later, and decisions are finalized in the Fall.

If you do not apply, you are leaving money on the table!

What to do Before Read your Regional Council’s Strategic Plan

Attend your Regional Council’s meetingso Talk to Regional Council representatives about your project

Determine if your project is a Regional Priorityo Fill out necessary paperwork, pre-applications, or surveys

Determine potential funding programs

Build momentum

Contact regional representatives at funding agencies

Inform elected officials at the local, regional, and state levels

What to do while Applying Once the CFA is released, you can begin filling out the

application.

You will need to register your CFA with an email address, and then you’ll be given a randomly generated “token” which will serve as your password.

It is very important to answer all prompts and questions at the beginning of the application as these answers will determine what funding your project is eligible for.

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO APPLY!

What to do After Collect and submit support letters.

Continue attending Regional Council meetings.

Keep local, regional, and state elected officials informed.

Continue to build momentum.

The Scoring Process When your application is submitted, it is first scored by the

Regional Council◦ The Regional Council determines how well the project fits

in with regional priorities and awards each application a score of up to 20 points

Applications are then submitted to the appropriate New York State funding agencies◦ Taking the Regional Council scores into consideration, the

agencies award each application a score of up to 80 points

Case Study Municipal Client – Renovations at Public Arena

o $5.81 MM total project cost to renovate public arena in prime downtown location.

o The application resulted in an award of $500,000 from Empire State Development through the Consolidated Funding Application and the Regional Economic Development Council process.

o The “hook” for the Council and the State’s interest in the project was its connection to the development of the downtown area. This project was carefully positioned in the application materials as the lynchpin for downtown revitalization in an economically depressed area.

Case Study Municipal Client – Redevelopment of a mixed-use building

on the Village waterfront

o The total project cost was $700,000.

o A successful application was submitted to Homes and Community Renewal’s Rural Area Revitalization Program for the maximum award of $200,000.

o The “hook” for this project was the creation of construction jobs, the opportunity to create full time jobs once the project is completed, and this building’s location and tie into the community’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.

Case Study Private Business – Modernization project at over 150 year old

manufacturing business

o Total project cost of over $3 MM to purchase new machinery, improve plant infrastructure, and implement lean manufacturing processes.

o An application was submitted on behalf of the business as a priority project to the Regional Council and was awarded $600,000.

o An application was also submitted partnering with the locality and the regional economic development agency to Homes and Community Renewal for Small Cities funding which resulted in an additional $150,000 award.

o At the same time, an application was submitted to the New York Power Authority for a power allocation for the business which was also awarded.

o The “hook” for this project was the retention of 255 manufacturing jobs in an economically depressed area.

Resource Guide

www.nyworks.ny.govo Link to Regional Councils including Strategic Plans and

meeting scheduleso CFA Resource Manualo CFA Application Guideo Application

www.esd.ny.govo Link to Business Programso ESD regional office contact information

www.governor.ny.govo Press Releases on funding information

Contact Information

The Wladis Law Firm, P.C.

6312 Fly Road

P.O. Box 205

Syracuse, New York 13057

Phone: (315) 445-1700

Email: info@wladislawfirm.com

www.wladislawfirm.com