Keaton PetersNew York is looking to attract more high-tech manufacturing. The state is investing $32.6 million to develop seven industrial sites across five regions of the state, preparing them for new facilities to house key strategic industries. The funding, awarded through the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) grant program, will support infrastructure improvements and pre-development work to spur major employers to locate operations in the Empire State.
The latest round of funding brings the total FAST NY investment to $233 million across 32 sites throughout upstate New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed an additional $100 million for the program in her 2026 Executive Budget.
Recent years have seen a flurry of major manufacturing investments across the country, particularly in semiconductors, clean energy and other advanced technologies. FAST NY is part of a strategy to make New York more competitive as it vies for projects by using state funds to get sites ready for development. New York has already seen success with this strategy, attracting companies like Micron, Wolfspeed, Edwards Vacuum and Fairlife through its focus on site readiness.
“Each site selected for a FAST NY investment has tremendous potential to ignite projects that generate jobs and stimulate regional economic development across New York,” said Hope Knight, president of Empire State Development.
The largest grant in this round, $18.79 million, will support the Albany Port District Commission’s 85-acre Beacon Island expansion. The funding will enable critical utility infrastructure work, including construction of a high-voltage substation, wastewater treatment plant and fire protection systems. The site’s access to 115 Kv power lines and the navigable Hudson River makes it particularly attractive for manufacturers.
In Western New York, the Buffalo and Erie County Land Development Corporation received $11.5 million to transform the former Evans-Angola airport into an agribusiness park. The project will extend power and gas transmission lines, add a substation and improve roads and sewers. The development aims to attract food and agricultural processing businesses, creating new markets for local farms.
Several other locations received smaller pre-development grants as part of the program. The Town of Clifton Park will receive $1 million to extend water infrastructure at Synergy Technology Park, while the Hamburg Development Corporation was awarded $250,000 for environmental and traffic studies at the Crossroads site. The Wayne County Industrial Development Agency secured $100,000 to evaluate water and sewer infrastructure for multiple industrial parks along the Route 31 corridor.
In the Mid-Hudson region, $500,000 will be devoted to pre-development work at the Roseton Development site. The location features existing power transmission infrastructure, rail access, and maritime facilities on the Hudson River. The site is being positioned to attract offshore wind supply chain companies, supporting New York’s growing renewable energy sector.
Communities interested in applying for future FAST NY funding can find more information through Empire State Development. With the Governor’s proposed $100 million in additional funding for fiscal year 2026, more opportunities may become available for developing shovel-ready sites.
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