News From Governor Hochul
Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on the Passage of The America COMPETES Act
- Represents Compatibility Between the State’s Excelsior Pass Scanner Application and Puerto Rico’s VACU ID Pass and Excelsior Pass Plus and Puerto Rico’s CESCO Digital Verifier Application
- As a Secure, Digital Vaccination Record, Excelsior Pass Plus Includes New Yorkers’ Booster/Additional Dose, Does Not Expire, And Can Be Used Outside of New York State, Including Puerto Rico
- New Yorkers Are Encouraged to Retrieve Their Excelsior Pass Plus Here; Parents and Guardians Can Retrieve and Hold Passes for Children
- Organizations and Businesses Nationwide Can Download the Free Excelsior Pass Scanner App Here
- Traducción al español
Upcoming Events
NEW: Business Council of Westchester Leadership Series: Lieutenant Governor of New York State Brian A. Benjamin
- New York State’s 78th Lieutenant Governor, Brian Benjamin, will give a virtual update on the role he is playing with Governor Kathy Hochul to help New York reemerge from the pandemic, as well as report on the recently proposed 2023 New York State’s Executive Budget. He will also report on the leadership position he will have overseeing New York State’s Regional Economic Development Councils, his legislative priorities and the relationship he is building with the state’s business community.
- Tuesday, February 15, 9:00am Virtual, Register here
REMINDER: Mid-Hudson Workforce Solutions Webinar Series: The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) has put together a webinar series for organizations to learn about workforce best practices and resources to help retain and attract talent. Register to attend any of the webinars below!
- 2/11, 8:30am – 9am – Mid-Hudson Workforce Solutions: Child Care Resources for Employers
- 2/16, 9am – 9:45am – Mid-Hudson Workforce Solutions: NYS Department of Labor Recruitment Resources
Office of Cannabis Management officially invites you to attend Cannabis Conversations
- A series of 11 regional discussions across the state about cannabis legalization – including one in Spanish
- The Office of Cannabis Management will start the conversation to inform people about the legalization law, health and safety, and goals to build an inclusive, equitable new industry.
- The Mid-Hudson event will be held on Wednesday, February 16th at 6pm. Register here. For all others, click here.
- Questions can be submitted in advance when you sign-up and will be answered live during the Conversation
- Go to cannabis.ny.gov for the latest information
- You can also sign up for updates from the Office of Cannabis Management here
Project Highlights
Governor Hochul Announces $76.4 Million in Freight Rail Infrastructure Investments
- State Funding Provided to Enhance Safety, Improve Service Reliability and Support Regional Economic Development
- Moving Commodities by Rail Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Alleviates Highway Congestion in Support of New York’s Nation Leading Climate Goals
- Full List of Awarded Projects by Region Available Here
Economic Development Opportunity Highlights
Rural Business Development Grants
- This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.
- Eligible Applicants: towns, communities, state agencies, authorities, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education, federally-recognized tribes, rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).
- Eligible Area: RBDG money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas here.
REMINDER: 2022 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim and Witness Assistance Request for Applications
- New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) is announcing a funding opportunity available to any nonprofit organization, hospital, law enforcement agency, coalition, or other entity that meets the application requirements. The goal of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to outline how to apply for funding to support direct services that meet the immediate and long-term needs of victims of crime under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim and Witness Assistance Grant Program.
- Proposals for this opportunity are due Thursday, March 24th, no later than 2:00 PM (EST) PM.