Capital Grants Program

Capital Grants Program is sponsored by Empire State Development. Capital grants are available for any company investing in job creation and/or corporate infrastructure.

2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # Empire State Development (ESD) – Regional Council Capital Funds Program Funding Available: Up to $60 million (min $100,000) Program Description: Capital grant funding is available for capital-based economic development projects intended to create or retain jobs; prevent, reduce or eliminate unemployment and underemployment; increase business or economic activity in a community or Region and/or expand, construct, restore or renovate New York State tourism destinations and attractions.

Grant funding will be allocated among the ten regions, each represented by a Regional Council. Projects generally fall into one of four categories: 1) Business Investment, 2) Economic Growth Investment, 3) Tourism (formerly the Market New York Capital Grant Program), or 4) Strategic Focus Areas (which include childcare, distressed areas, and public-private partnerships).

Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible Applicants include but are not limited to for-profit businesses, not-for-profit corporations*, business improvement districts, local development corporations, public benefit corporations (including industrial development agencies), economic development organizations, research and academic institutions, incubators, technology parks, municipalities, counties, regional planning councils, tourist attractions and community facilities.

Program Contact: nys-capitaldist@esd. ny. gov Funding Available: Up to $1 million Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible Applicants include but are not limited to cities, counties, towns, villages, business improvement districts, local development corporations, and not-for-profit economic development organizations.

Program Contact: nys-capitaldist@esd. ny.

gov # Empire State Development (ESD) – Excelsior Jobs Program Funding Available: Up to $75 million Program Description: The Excelsior Jobs Program provides job creation and investment incentives to firms in strategic industries such as software development, scientific research and development, financial services, agriculture, manufacturing, back office, distribution, life sciences, music production and entertainment companies.

Firms in these industries that create new jobs or retain existing jobs and make a significant capital investment are eligible to apply. Eligible Types of Applicants: For-profit business entities including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Program Contact: nys-capitaldist@esd.

ny. gov 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # Empire State Development (ESD) – Market New York (working capital only) Funding Available: Up to $7 million (min $50,000) Program Description: Market New York is a grant program established to strengthen tourism and attract visitors to New York State by promoting destinations, attractions, and special events.

Funding is available for tourism marketing initiatives, the recruitment and/or execution of special events like festivals, expos, agritourism/craft beverage events and athletic tournaments, and the recruitment of business events like meetings, conferences, conventions, and trade shows. Program Guidelines: iloveny. com/MarketNY NEW!

Tourism Capital Projects: To provide program consistency and make a larger pot of funding available for tourism projects, tourism capital funding has been incorporated into the Regional Council Capital Funds Program. Applicants looking to apply for tourism capital can find more information at: https://esd. ny.

gov/regional-council-capital-fund-program .

Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible Applicants include but are not limited to for-profit businesses, not-for-profit corporations, tourism promotion agencies, convention & visitor bureaus, destination marketing organizations, tourist attractions / destinations, business improvement districts, public benefit corporations & IDAs, local development corporations, economic development organizations, municipalities, counties, and community facilities.

Program Contact: RegionalTourism@esd. ny. gov # Empire State Development (ESD) – Pro Housing Supply Funds Funding Available: Up to $100 million Program Description: In partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (“HCR”), the ESD Pro Housing Supply Funds Program has capital grant funding available to help finance essential infrastructure projects that will enable the development of housing projects.

Infrastructure improvements include projects such as installations, and extensions of road, water, sewer, electrical, or other utilities.

Applicants must demonstrate that grant funds will be used exclusively for infrastructure improvements that directly enable residential development, including mixed-use projects where the vast majority of square footage will be for residential use, as well as a clear explanation of how the requested infrastructure improvements (e.g., sewer, water, roads, utilities) are essential to any planned residential development, including any applicable engineering plans.

Projects must support the creation of at least 20 housing units be ready to commence within 24 months of the award. Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible applicants include pro-Housing certified cities, towns, and villages. Counties and municipally designated non-profit economic development organizations are also eligible to apply; so long as the project occurs within a pro-housing certified municipality.

Eligible Applicants must be able to demonstrate ownership of the site or provide proof of site control/permission from the entity that does own it. Program Contact: nys-capitaldist@esd. ny.

gov 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) # Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)- Open Round Funding Available: Up to $20 million Program Description: The New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federally funded program administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) that helps counties, cities, towns, and villages with projects that improve communities and benefit residents across New York State.

CDBG funds may be requested on an on-going basis for:  Economic Development – Assistance to small business and microenterprises.  Community Planning – Community needs assessments and project specific planning that leads to eligible CDBG projects.  Public Facilities – Assistance to facilities serving the public such as senior centers, community centers and day cares.

This includes handicapped accessibility improvements.  Imminent Threat – Assistance to address existing conditions that have blighting influence or pose a serious threat to the health or welfare of the community. This includes demolition and clearance activities.

Eligible applicants can apply for grants of up to $1,000,000 (Public Facilities and Imminent Threat), $750,000 (Economic Development), and $50,000 (Community Planning). Eligible Types of Applicants: The New York CDBG Program provides community and economic development grants to towns, villages, and cities with a population less than 50,000, and counties with an unincorporated population less than 200,000.

For a list of eligible communities, see here: https://hcr. ny. gov/community-development-block-grant#program-guidelines .

The NYS CDBG Request for Applications (RFA) and additional information on applying for CDBG funding can be found here: https://hcr. ny. gov/community-development-block-grant#funding-round-materials.

Program Contact: Applicants can contact HCR staff at HCR_CFA@hcr. ny. gov or 518-474-2057 for assistance.

# New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) # New York Main Street Program (NYMS) Funding Available: Up to $4. 2 million Program Description: NYMS provides resources to invest in projects that provide economic development and housing opportunities in downtown, mixed-use commercial districts.

Eligible applicants apply to HCR for matching, reimbursement grants ranging from $20,000 - $500,000 to assist downtown property owners with renovation projects or technical assistance projects to support later renovation projects. Details available online, here: https://hcr. ny.

gov/new-york-main-street. Eligible Types of Applicants: Units of local government and not-for-profit organizations. Program Contact: Questions?

Please send an email to HCR_CFA@hcr. ny. gov and your question will be directed to the appropriate program staff.

2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) # Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Funding Available: Up to $26 million Program Description: Grant funding is available for the acquisition, planning, development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas located within the physical boundaries of the State of New York.

Grants can fund up to 50% of the total eligible project cost; up to 75% if the project is located within a high-poverty area. Grant awards are capped at $675,000.

To ensure the public benefits from the investment of State funds, all properties acquired or developed with grant funds will receive long-term protections; these include public access covenants, preservation covenants or conservation easements recorded against the property deed; municipal parkland must remain parkland in perpetuity. Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible Applicants are listed below.

Applicants must have an ownership interest in the project. • Municipalities • State Agencies • Public Benefit Corporations • Public Authorities • Not-for-profit Corporations that have tax-exempt status under the IRS code, are current with pertinent federal and state filings, and are pre-qualified in the Statewide Financial System (SFS): (see https://grantsmanagement. ny.

gov/resources-grant-applicants ). Contact Beatrice Gamache, Director, Grants Bureau, NYSOPRHPGrants@parks. ny.

gov or (518)-474-0427 # New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) # Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)- Public Infrastructure Funding Available: Up to $20 million Program Description: The New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federally funded program administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) that helps counties, cities, towns, and villages with projects that improve communities and benefit residents across New York State.

CDBG funds may be requested for public or private water source development, storage, and distribution; sanitary sewage collection and treatment; flood control and storm water drainage; and municipal utilities. These types of projects may also include ancillary public works components such as sidewalks, streets, parking and open space.

Eligible applicants can apply for grants of up to $1,500,000 or up to $2,000,000 with other state and/or federal funding sources committed to the project. Eligible Types of Applicants: The New York CDBG Program provides community and economic development grants to towns, villages, and cities with a population less than 50,000, and counties with an unincorporated population less than 200,000.

For a list of eligible communities, see here: https://hcr. ny. gov/community-development-block-grant#program-guidelines .

The NYS CDBG Request for Applications (RFA) and additional information on applying for CDBG funding can be found here: https://hcr. ny. gov/community-development-block-grant#program-guidelines Program Contact: Applicants can contact HCR staff at HCR_CFA@hcr.

ny. gov or 518-474-2057 for assistance.

2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) # Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Funding Available: Up to $3 million Program Description: The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funding to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses.

RTP grants provide Federal funding of up to 80 percent of the total project cost with a minimum 20 percent matching share. The maximum RTP grant award is $300,000. This is a reimbursement program, meaning that the applicant must finance the project while requesting periodic reimbursements.

The RTP funding is authorized in phases by the Federal Highway Administration. Project budgets and schedules must account for phased authorizations to comply with Federal requirements. Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible Applicants are listed below.

• Municipalities • Not-for-profit Corporations pre-qualified in the Statewide Financial System Contact Beatrice Gamache, Director, Grants Bureau, NYSOPRHPGrants@parks. ny. gov or (518)-474-0427 # New York Department of State (DOS) – Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Funding Available: Approximately $13.

975 million Program Description: Matching grants are available on a competitive basis to municipalities to develop and implement Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRP) and Watershed Management Plans to revitalize communities and waterfronts.

The focus of the LWRP is to support community planning efforts to evaluate local resources, develop goals and strategies, identify ways in which the community can reduce risk to community assets, and prioritize design and construction projects which achieve community revitalization goals.

By providing planning, design, and construction funding, this program helps communities breathe new life into their underused waterfront assets in ways that expand public access and ensures sustainable revitalization.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible applicants are villages, towns, or cities located along New York’s coasts or inland waterways as designated pursuant to Executive Law, Article 42, or counties or regional planning councils with the written consent and acting on behalf of one or more eligible villages, town, or cities.

Program Contact: The LWRP Request for Applications (RFA) which describes all grant program requirements, informational webinars, and other grant application resources are available on the Department of State’s website at: https://dos. ny. gov/2025-2026-environmental-protection-fund-local-waterfront-revitalization-program .

Applicant questions can be submitted by e-mail to LWRP@dos. ny. gov with the subject line: “25-LWRP-9 RFA Questions”.

Questions will be accepted until June 20, 2025, with responses posted on the Department’s Funding & Bid Opportunities website by July 11, 2025.

2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # New York State Department of State (DOS) - Brownfield Opportunity Area Program Funding Available: Approximately $2 million Program Description: Grants are available on a competitive basis to eligible applicants for up to 90% of the total cost of the following activities: (Eligible applicants wishing to apply for more than one grant activity should submit a separate application for each) • Pre-planning to identify and complete an area-wide inventory of known or suspected brownfields and other underutilized and/or vacant sites and conduct a preliminary land-use analysis.

Pre-Planning will not culminate in a BOA Designation. • Development or update of a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Plan that identifies strategies for the revitalization of an area affected by known or suspected brownfields that will culminate in a request to the Secretary of State for BOA Designation.

• Predevelopment activities that implement the vision, goals, and objectives of a State-designated BOA including analyses, plans and studies, or professional services to further improvement or advance redevelopment. • Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, including site environmental investigation activities with sampling and chemical testing within a State-designated BOA, which will be detailed in a Phase II ESA report.

The completion of an environmental site assessment must advance the goals and priorities for the revitalization and redevelopment of the BOA.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Include cities, towns, and villages, counties , regional planning councils, local public authorities, public benefit corporations , school districts , special improvement districts , supervisory districts, district corporations, recognized Indian nations or tribes, certain 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, and New York City Community Boards.

Program Contact: The BOA Request for Applications (RFA), which describes all grant program requirements, is available on the Department of State’s Funding & Bid Opportunities website at https://dos. ny. gov/funding-bid-opportunities .

Questions can be submitted by e-mail to opd@dos. ny. gov with the subject line: “25-BOA-10 RFA Questions”.

Questions will be accepted until June 20, 2025, with responses posted on the Department’s Funding & Bid Opportunities website by July 11, 2025.

# Department of State (DOS) - Smart Growth Community Planning and Zoning Grant Funding Available: Approximately $2 million Program Description: Financial assistance grants are available on a competitive basis to municipalities to develop or update comprehensive plans, area plans or zoning ordinances that incorporate smart growth principles including promoting economically efficient and environmentally sustainable development patterns that optimize prior infrastructure investments.

These planning efforts should be founded on a robust public engagement effort that reflect a community’s goals and aspirations for its future, and address a wide range of planning issues including, but not limited to, appropriate physical development, economic development, transportation patterns, analyses of the natural and built environment, and population trends, while setting a course for the siting of renewable energy facilities, efficient use of land, protection of agricultural working lands and watersheds and overall healthy communities.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Eligible applicants are counties, villages, towns, and cities; as well as counties, regional planning councils or not-for-profits applying on behalf of one or more eligible municipalities. Additionally, villages, towns, and cities may jointly apply with a county, non-profit, or regional planning board.

Program Contact : The SGCP Request for Applications (RFA) which describes all grant program requirements is available on the Department of State’s Funding & Bid Opportunities website at https://dos. ny. gov/funding-bid-opportunities .

Questions can be submitted by e-mail to opd@dos. ny. gov with the subject line: “25-OPDSG-11 RFA Questions”.

Responses to questions received by June 20th will be posted to the DOS Funding & Bid Opportunities website by July 11th.

2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # New York State Canal Corporation – Canalway Grant Program Funding Available: Up to $1 million Program Description: The Canalway Grant Program is administered by the NYS Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority (NYPA). The Canalway Grant Program awards up to $1.

0 million dollars in competitive grants annually that are available to eligible municipalities, units of local government, federally recognized Native American Tribes, and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations along the New York State Canal System for canal related capital projects. The minimum grant request amount is $25,000. The maximum grant request is $150,000.

There is a 1:1 grant match requirement from awardees, and grant funding is distributed via reimbursement only. Grant administration and pre-development costs cannot exceed 10% of the grant award. Projects must be located on land owned by the applicant, sub applicant, and/or Canal Corporation.

Grant awardees must complete projects within two years of grant award.

Eligible Types of Applicants: • Municipalities (towns, villages, cities, etc.) • Units of Local Government (counties, soil and water conservation districts, etc.) • Federally recognized Native American tribes • 501(c)3 non-profit organizations Boundary Eligibility: Projects must be located along one of the four canals of the Canal System (Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca), their immediate tributaries, trail linkages or connections to existing Canalway Trail segments, or the historic canal alignment.

Program Contact : Andy Marzo, Program Manager, New York Power Authority at Andrew. Marzo@NYPA.

Gov # New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) # Building Cleaner Communities Competition (BCCC) Funding Available: Up to $15 million Program Description: The purpose of this program is to support the design and installation of commercial, light industrial, and institutional projects to operate at carbon neutral or net zero energy performance.

The program is designed to target projects that align with the Region’s or the State’s economic development and energy priorities, and offers the customer phased incentive payments. The Building Cleaner Communities Competition is offered as a competitive program for exemplary, highly replicable, and resilient carbon neutral or net zero energy projects.

Building Cleaner Communities Competition supports projects in two categories for facility-level or community-level carbon neutral or net zero energy performance.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Commercial Facilities, Food Processing Facilities, Breweries, Distilleries, Public and Private K-12 schools, Colleges and Universities, Healthcare Facilities, Agricultural Facilities, Municipalities (Local Government), State Agencies & Other State Government, Not-for-profit Corporations, Private Developers, Mixed Use, Warehouse and Distribution Facilities. Program Contact: bccc@nyserda. ny.

gov 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) # Commercial and Industrial Carbon Challenge Funding Available: Up to $10 million Program Description: The Commercial and Industrial Carbon Challenge program provides grant funding between $500k and 5 million to fund single projects or project portfolios that reduce carbon emissions for large commercial and industrial customers.

Projects can include energy efficiency or process efficiency measures, on-site generation, beneficial electrification, carbon capture, or other proven efficiency or renewable energy technologies. Applications must include at least one beneficial electrification, carbon capture, utilization and storage, process emission reduction, and/or low-carbon fuel project.

Applicants are required to commit to a carbon savings goal and provide detail on projects that can achieve that goal. Applications are primarily evaluated on their overall carbon savings goal and their project plans.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Any commercial or industrial entity, or a company providing products and services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a commercial or industrial entity, that meets the program’s requirements.  The projects must save a combined 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent over their lifetime in order to apply for funding.

Commercial and Industrial entities include, but are not limited to: Colleges and Universities, Food and Beverage Processing, Health Care Facilities, Manufacturing, Mining and Extraction, Municipal Facilities, Not-For-Profit and Private Institutions, Office Buildings, Public and Private K-12 Schools, Retail, State and Local Governments, Warehouse and Distribution Facilities, and Wastewater Treatment Plants.

Program Contact: Sean Mulderrig, Senior Project Manager, NYSERDA, sean. industrial@nyserda. ny.

gov # New York State Department of Environmental Conservation # Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grants Funding Available: At least $22 million Program Description: The CSC grant program provides funding for municipalities to 1) complete a subset of CSC certification actions, 2) complete projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from the non-power sector, 3) complete adaptation projects that directly address or alleviate hazards exacerbated by climate changes, and 4) complete engineering feasibility studies for flood alleviation projects, or conversion of existing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment to natural refrigerants.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Include Counties, Cities, Towns, and Villages within the State of New York Political subdivisions such as municipal corporations, school districts, district corporations, boards of cooperative educational services, fire districts, public benefit corporations, industrial development authorities, and similar organizations are not eligible to apply to the CSC grant program.

However, these political subdivisions may partner with a municipality to complete a CSC project. In this case, the municipality must act as the lead applicant and submit the application, enter into contract with the State, own all infrastructure or project components funded by the CSC program, receive reimbursement of grant funds, submit all deliverables, and complete all reporting requirements.

Formal, fully executed partnership agreements between all parties is required as part of the grant contract. Program Contact: Myra Fedyniak, cscgrants@dec. ny.

gov , 518-402-8448 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative – Short Summary of Programs # New York Power Authority (NYPA) – ReCharge New York Power Program Power Available: Up to 33.

9 Megawatts Program Description: Program Description: ReCharge New York (RNY) is a statewide economic development power program designed to retain or create jobs through allocations of lower cost electricity to businesses and Not-for-Profit Corporations. There is also power available to be allocated to businesses that plan to expand operations in the state or are looking to relocate to New York State.

For more information visit https://www. nypa. gov/services/incentives-and-grants/recharge-ny .

For assistance with completing the application please contact PoweringBusiness@nypa. gov. Eligible Types of Applicants: Businesses and Not-for-Profit Corporations are eligible to apply. The program is not available to sports venues, retail businesses, gaming or entertainment related establishments, and places of overnight accommodations.

Program Contact: PoweringBusiness@nypa.

gov # New York State Department of Environmental Conservation – Water Quality # Improvement Project (WQIP) Program Funding Available: At least $75 million Program Description: WQIP is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program to implement projects that directly improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, protect a drinking water source, or improve dam safety.

Project types include Wastewater Treatment Improvement, Non-agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control, Vacuum Trucks in Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Areas, Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection, Salt Storage and Road Salt Reduction, Dam Safety Repair/Rehabilitation and Dam Removal, Aquatic Connectivity, Marine District Habitat Restoration, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Enhancement.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Municipalities, including Indian Nations, (as defined in the Program Overview) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts are eligible for all project types unless otherwise noted.

Not-for-Profits are eligible for Land Acquisition for Source Water Protection, Dam Safety Repair/Rehabilitation and Removal, Aquatic Connectivity, Marine District Habitat Restoration, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Enhancement. Program Contact : dowgrants@dec. ny.

gov; 518-402-8179 # New York State Department of Environmental Conservation – Non-Agricultural # Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant Funding Available: Up to $3 million Program Description: Grants of up to $50,000 are available to produce planning reports for non-agricultural nonpoint source water quality improvement projects. Grants of up to $75,000 are available for comprehensive stream corridor studies.

Grants up to $400,000 are available for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) mapping. The program aims to prepare nonpoint source projects for construction and application for implementation funding and encourages and supports cooperation among regulated MS4 Operators to complete mapping of their stormwater system.

Eligible Types of Applicants: Municipalities, including Indian Nations (as defined in program overview), and Soil and Water Conservation Districts are eligible for the Nonpoint Source Planning Reports project type. Municipal MS4 Operators regulated by the MS4 General Permit and Soil and Water Conservation Districts on behalf of regulated MS4 Operators are eligible for the MS4 Mapping project type. Program Contact : dowgrants@dec.

ny. gov; 518-402-8179