New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on July 28 announced that the New York Power Authority approved $13 million in funding to support clean energy workforce development across New York State. 

The funding, approved by the NYPA Board of Trustees, includes $3 million to be directed to six workforce development programs that will equip more than 450 New Yorkers with the training, job placement resources and technical skills needed for careers in New York’s growing clean energy economy. 

The awards also include $10 million will support the New York State Department of Labor’s (NYSDOL) expanded training and retraining initiatives to prepare workers for employment in clean energy careers.

“Our clean energy future depends on the people who will build it, and we’re committed to preparing them for the good paying careers of tomorrow,” Hochul said. “This $13 million investment will open doors for New Yorkers, expanding access to valuable training, strengthening workforce pathways and helping communities across the state benefit from the momentum fueling our clean energy economy.”

New York is leading the nation in developing a green economy, with nearly 185,000 clean energy jobs already created, Hochul's office noted. 

Building further on that statewide progress, the NYPA Board of Trustees approved funding awards to the following organizations and institutions:

Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP) ($520,000)

EIP designs and delivers energy efficiency and clean energy programs for utilities and public agencies. The funding will support building operations and energy efficiency training for staff members of the Settlement House, a NYC based nonprofit.

Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 17 ($500,000)

LiUNA Local 17 in the Hudson Valley will use the funding to strengthen pre-apprenticeship pathways in the construction trades, offering foundational training and support services to prepare participants for union careers.

Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 210 ($540,000)

 LiUNA Local 17 in Buffalo will use the funding to support a pre apprenticeship program that provides certification based training for participants.

Both LiUNA programs build on proven models to expand access to skilled labor opportunities.

Last year, NYPA allocated more than $1 million in funding support to LiUNA’s existing workforce training initiative, stimulating the expansion of its pre-apprenticeship program, which prepares members of disadvantaged communities for careers as union construction craft laborers in Buffalo, the Hudson Valley and the Capital Region.

Northland Workforce Training Center ($500,000)

Northland Workforce Training Center provides workforce training and career pathways for Western New Yorkers pursuing jobs in advanced manufacturing and energy. The funding will support training for participants in HVAC and building maintenance certificate programs at the Center’s new Clean Tech Lab, along with wraparound services including career coaching, transportation assistance and job placement support.

NYPA has supported Northland since its inception, initially providing $15 million in funding to support its development in 2016. In 2023, NYPA awarded Northland more than $1.1 million to support the development of the center’s state-of-the-art auto tech lab, and donated a 2017 Chevy Volt, an electric vehicle (EV) charger and a mix of associated EV shop tools to Northland for use in its clean energy center.

Renaissance Technical Institute (RTI) ($500,000) 

RTI, a New York City-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved communities through free vocational education and training, will train participants in energy efficient systems and electrification. NYPA, in collaboration with NYSDOL, previously allocated $500,000 in funding to RTI in East Harlem to support workforce programming and career development for young adults from under-resourced communities.

State University of New York (SUNY) Canton ($440,000)

 SUNY Canton will train students through credit bearing micro credentials in heat pumps, drone operations, and mapping and logistics. The initiative expands access to industry aligned clean energy training for Northern New York and disadvantaged communities, preparing graduates for high quality career opportunities in the clean energy sector.

Of the $10 million in funding awarded to NYSDOL approved by the NYPA Board of Trustees, $8 million will support the expansion and development of the Growing the Clean Energy Workforce Training Initiative, which provides grants to organizations for the development or expansion of training programs. 

The remaining $2 million will be allocated to the NYSDOL Renewable Energy Training Initiative (RETI) program, which supports inclusive clean energy workforce development by funding upskilling and reskilling for workers transitioning into clean energy roles and by providing essential wraparound services.

NYPA Chairman John Koelmel said, “By supporting organizations that provide apprenticeships and technical training, NYPA is strengthening New York’s talent pipeline and expanding opportunities for workers in communities across the state to gain the skills needed for high demand jobs in the growing clean energy economy.”

NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll said, “The $13 million in workforce investments will help ensure New Yorkers have the skills required to maintain and expand the state’s clean energy infrastructure. NYPA is doing more than simply providing funding; it is delivering real opportunities for New Yorkers by opening vital career pathways in the state’s rapidly growing energy sector.”

The Power Authority’s support for clean energy workforce training stems from a commitment of up to $25 million annually, as outlined in the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget, and largely supports the efforts of the New York State Department of Labor to connect workers to job opportunities in the clean energy economy. 

Many of the upskilling and training initiatives have a focus on serving those who are traditionally underrepresented, especially within disadvantaged communities.

NYPA actively engages with each community training organization to ensure skills training is matched with in-demand positions and participant success through supportive wraparound services. Additionally, the Power Authority advises on the classroom and hands-on technology curriculum.

Including this round of awards, NYPA has obligated more than $63 million for clean energy training programs, supporting thousands of trainees and more than 45 workforce training organizations statewide.

Separately, as part of Governor Hochul’s NextGen Nuclear New York Initiative, NYPA recently issued a Request for Application, targeting technical schools, colleges, unions and manufacturers, among other groups, to access $40 million in NYPA nuclear workforce development funding. 

The investment aims to build a skilled workforce ready to support the deployment and operation of new advanced nuclear energy in Upstate New York.

Economic Development Awards

Hochul on July 28 also announced that NYPA approved economic development awards that will drive more than $2 billion in private capital investments throughout the state and support more than 15,000 jobs, 549 which are newly created. 

The awards, approved by the NYPA Board of Trustees, include low-cost power allocations through the statewide ReCharge NY program and the regional Western New York and Northern New York Hydropower programs. 

Additionally, the NYPA board approved funding awards totaling more than $5.2 million under the Western New York Power Proceeds program.

“Access to reliable, affordable, clean energy is powering New York’s economic momentum, helping businesses grow, innovate, and invest in every corner of the state,” Hochul said in a news release. “The New York Power Authority’s economic development awards approved today will drive more than $2 billion in capital investment and support thousands of jobs -- reinforcing New York’s position as a national leader in growth and competitiveness. These awards are providing businesses with the tools needed to grow and succeed, strengthening New York’s clean energy economy.”

ReCharge NY

The approved allocations of more than 36 megawatts of low-cost power under the Power Authority’s ReCharge NY program will be directed to 33 firms in the Capital District, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson region, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Western New York, New York City and on Long Island. 

This round of ReCharge NY awards is tied to more than $2 billion in capital investments across the state. Notable allocations include awards to Barilla America NY and Wegmans Food Markets.

In May, Hochul announced a major expansion plan for Barilla’s facility in the Town of Avon in Livingston County. In addition to the Power Authority’s support through the ReCharge NY program, Empire State Development is providing up to $2.75 million through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for the company’s job creation commitment.

“ReCharge NY continues to demonstrate how reliable, low cost power can spur investment and support job growth across the state," said Driscoll. "This round of allocations is tied to more than $2 billion in capital investments, helping businesses expand their operations, strengthen local economies, and create new opportunities for workers in communities from Long Island to Western New York.”

ReCharge NY has strengthened New York State’s economy by encouraging companies to retain and create jobs, while sparking capital investment throughout the state. 

ReCharge NY offers power contracts with terms up to seven years. Half of the power, 455 MW, is from NYPA’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt hydroelectric power plants. The remaining 455 MW is lower-cost power bought by NYPA on the wholesale market.

Western New York

At the July 28 meeting, the NYPA Board of Trustees approved 420 kilowatts of low-cost Niagara hydropower to Habasit America.

Habasit is a manufacturer of high performance conveyor belts used in food processing, package handling, and distribution centers. 

The firm was awarded the hydropower allocation to support its proposed $4 million expansion project that includes the relocation of one of its overseas operating facilities to a site in Buffalo, in addition to the installation of new manufacturing equipment. The expansion will lead to the creation of 20 new jobs.

Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for eligible companies located within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority's Niagara Power Project and in Chautauqua County.

The NYPA Board also approved more than $5.2 million in Western New York Power Proceeds funding for four firms across the region.

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society was awarded $2,904,688 in NYPA funding to support ongoing upgrades at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. The nonprofit organization manages the 11.4 acre campus in South Buffalo that receives more than 123,000 visitors annually. 

The funding will build on the Gardens’ more than $31 million expansion project and support the modernization and enhancement of exhibits, outdoor spaces, and core infrastructure—including the installation of a rooftop solar array.

The Kenan Center was awarded $1,623,644 in NYPA funding to support the development of the new more than $17 million Kenan Civic Arena -- a modern, fully accessible multi use event venue that will address a major gap in large scale event infrastructure in Eastern Niagara County. 
Located on the Center’s 25 acre historic campus in Lockport, the project includes infrastructure and accessibility upgrades, improved site functionality, and significant campus greenspace restoration. The new Arena is expected to operate more than 340 days annually, hosting events such as concerts, festivals, conventions, trade shows, conferences, and sports tournaments.

Riviera Theatre & Organ Preservation Society was awarded $350,000 in NYPA funding to support a more than $1.6 million backstage expansion at the historic 1,100 seat Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda. 

The nonprofit venue attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually and serves as a cornerstone of the Erie Canal corridor’s downtown revitalization. The project includes the addition of modern production support spaces and key infrastructure upgrades. As a result, the theatre will be able to accommodate larger touring productions and a wider range of performances. With expanded capacity, it anticipates adding 10 to 20 shows each year, attracting an estimated 7,000 to 14,000 additional visitors.

BreadHive Worker Cooperative was awarded $329,629 in NYPA funding to support the acquisition and renovation of a 10,000-square-foot vacant commercial warehouse on Buffalo’s West Side. 
The worker owned artisan bakery currently operates a retail café and a small wholesale production facility, supplying breads and baked goods to restaurants, retailers, and farmers markets across Western New York. 

The NYPA funding will support BreadHive’s more than $1.5 million relocation to a larger production facility, which will increase production capacity and bolster efforts to secure new wholesale and institutional contracts. The project will strengthen the regional food supply chain by allowing the cooperative to further expand its use of New York State grown ingredients, building on the roughly 40 percent of materials it already sources from local agricultural producers.

The NYPA funding awards are made possible through the Western New York Power Proceeds Fund, which is comprised of net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower generated at the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and stems from power proceeds legislation signed into law in 2012.

NYPA Chairman John  Koelmel said, “The Power Authority’s economic development programs remain vital to Western New York’s continued growth. The funding awards approved today support projects that will attract new visitors, strengthen our regional food supply chain, and generate tens of millions in projected economic impact.”

Northern New York

At the meeting, the NYPA Board of Trustees approved a 2,000-kW power allocation to Twin Rivers Paper Company (TRPC) under the Northern New York Hydropower program.

TRPC is a specialty paper manufacturer producing latex, acrylic, and other saturated base papers for the packaging, technical, label, and publishing markets.

The firm was previously awarded $1 million in NYPA funding to support its acquisition of Potsdam Specialty Paper, ultimately preserving 70 jobs that otherwise would have been lost. 

Additionally, Hochul also announced a $1.82 million Regional Council Capital Fund grant and up to $180,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development to further support the acquisition and preserve North Country jobs.

NYPA Trustee Cecily Morris said, “The Power Authority’s support for Twin Rivers Paper Company is essential to maintaining jobs and preserving an important manufacturing asset in the North Country. This hydropower allocation builds on additional support that has helped the facility stay competitive, ensuring it can continue to contribute to the region’s economic vitality.”

Northern New York Hydropower may be allocated to eligible businesses in Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.